Kerala simplifies birth certificate correction process; helpful for people seeking jobs abroad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has simplified the process for making corrections in birth certificates, which will be especially helpful for people seeking jobs abroad. It will also make it easier for those applying for dependent visas to travel with their spouse.

After marriage, many women add their husband’s name to their own. This name is then used in most official documents. However, this often creates problems when applying for jobs or travelling abroad, as pre-marriage and post-marriage documents carry different names. Similar issues are also faced in matters like family pension for government employees.

Until now, applicants had to submit a “one and same” certificate from village officers to prove that both names belong to the same person. As the number of such cases increased, the state Registrar of Births and Deaths, with approval from the central authority, allowed corrections from 2013. However, the process involved detailed verification based on certificates from a notary, two gazetted officers, and a village officer, which caused delays. The new decision aims to simplify and speed up the process.

4 corrections can be made easily

1. Children of separated parents can now easily add or change the names of their parents in the certificate.
2. Initials in the birth certificate can be expanded to match the full names of parents as shown in the passport.
3. Issues arising from adding the husband’s name to the wife’s name after marriage can be corrected.
4. The provision to change the address allows those who were living in a rented house at the time of child birth to update the certificate with their permanent home address if they later moved there.

One-time correction rule:
Corrections can be made only once, so all necessary changes must be made together. Once corrected, the birth certificate will be considered a valid official document for revenue services as well. However, adding place names or making other major changes will still require a gazette notification.

How to apply:
Applicants need to submit any one supporting document (such as a passport, school certificate, marriage certificate, or other ID proof) along with affidavits from two reliable persons (such as public representatives or officials). The application should be submitted to the local Birth and Death Registrar. It can also be applied for online through the K-SMART portal.