Centre Amends Passport Rules: Birth Certificate Now Sole Proof of DOB for Applicants Born After October 1, 2023

New Delhi : The Centre has amended the Passport Rules, making birth certificates issued by appropriate authorities the only proof of date of birth for passport applicants born on or after 1st October 2023. An official notification has been issued in this regard, effecting the amendment to the Passport Rules of 1980.

Under the new norms, the Passports (Amendment) Rules 2025, birth certificates issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, the Municipal Corporation, or any other authority empowered under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, will be accepted as the sole proof of date of birth for persons born on or after 1st October 2023.

For applicants born before this date, the existing system remains unchanged, allowing them to submit alternative documents as proof of date of birth. These include a driving licence, PAN card, Election Photo Identity Card, school leaving certificate, service record (for government employees), or policy bond issued by the Life Insurance Corporation or any other recognized insurer.

The move aims to streamline the process of verifying date of birth details and ensure uniformity in document submission for new applicants. By making birth certificates the sole acceptable document for post-October 2023 births, the government intends to reduce fraudulent submissions and inconsistencies in date of birth records. This aligns with global best practices in passport issuance and identity verification.

Officials have clarified that the amendment does not impact those who already hold valid passports or those who are eligible to renew their passports under existing rules. However, new applicants born on or after the specified date must ensure they obtain a valid birth certificate from an authorized issuing body to avoid any complications during the passport application process.

The decision has received mixed reactions from the public and experts. While many have welcomed the move as a step towards enhanced transparency and security in passport issuance, others have raised concerns about potential difficulties for individuals facing delays or challenges in obtaining birth certificates from local authorities.