Government Amends Passport Rules: Birth Certificate Now Mandatory for Proof of Birth
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The government has amended the Passports Rules, 1980, making birth certificates the sole proof of date of birth for passport applications for individuals born on or after October 1, 2023.
According to the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which came into effect upon their publication in the Official Gazette, only birth certificates issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, municipal corporations, or any other authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 will be accepted as proof of date of birth.
Alternative Documents Allowed for Those Born Before October 1, 2023
For applicants born before October 1, 2023, the government will continue to accept other documents as proof of date of birth, including:
- School Leaving Certificate or Matriculation Certificate from recognized institutions
- PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department
- Government Service Record Extract (for employees or pensioners)
- Driving Licence issued by the Transport Department
- Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India
- Life Insurance Policy Bond issued by LIC or public insurers
Rationale Behind the Amendment
Officials stated that passport rules on proof of birth had remained unchanged for a long time, as many applicants—especially from rural areas—lacked birth certificates.
However, with stricter enforcement of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, the government has decided to streamline the process and make birth certificates the only valid document for those born from October 2023 onwards.
This amendment aligns with the government’s efforts to ensure accurate records and simplify passport issuance procedures.
