As per a February 24 notification, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has changed the regulations for passport issuance evidence of date of birth. Children born on or after October 1, 2023, under the revised rules are to submit a birth certificate as the sole acceptable proof of age of birth. Under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, this certificate must be produced by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, the Municipal Corporation, or another authorized agency.
Approved Papers for Candidates Born Before October 2023
For those born before October 2023, the administration has mentioned several official papers suitable for confirmation their birth date:
- The Registrar of Births and Deaths, Municipal Corporation, or any other authorized entity under the Births and Deaths Act, 1969, issues birth certificates.
- The applicant’s birth date is included in recognized institution or educational body transfer, school leaving, or matriculation certificates.
- Regarding the applicant’s birth date, the Income Tax Department issues PAN Card.
- Extracts from an applicant’s service record or pay pension order (for government employees), approved by the appropriate administrative officer, show the government service data.
- A driving license from the transport department of the state government of the applicant shows the birth date.
- A voter ID card from the Election Commission of India including the applicant’s date of birth is to be used.
- Mentioning the policyholder’s birth date, a LIC Policy Bond: Distributed by Life Insurance Corporation of India or other government insurers.
Nothing Else Modified with Passport Rules
Apart from the proof of date of birth requirements, the MEA made it clear that passport rules have not been changed further.
Passports application rules?
For more information on the revised procedure, candidates seeking to obtain a fresh passport or renew an existing one can visit the official passport website.