On January 14, 2025, the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh introduced the Union Territory of Ladakh Registration of Births and Deaths Rules, 2025, bringing in significant changes and clarifications to the process of registering births and deaths.
These rules aim to standardize and streamline the registration process, while also ensuring accuracy and accountability in the documentation.
Key Highlights:
Gestation Period for Stillbirths:
- The period of gestation for stillbirth registration has been defined as 28 weeks.
Reporting and Submission:
- The Chief Registrar must submit a statistical report on births and deaths by July 31 each year, detailing the previous year’s figures.
- Specific forms (Form No. 1, 1A, 2, and 3) are to be used for birth, death, and stillbirth registration, with separate sections for legal and statistical information.
Timely Registration:
- Information about births, deaths, and stillbirths must be reported to the Registrar within 21 days of the event.
- A late fee will be applied for registrations beyond the stipulated period, with varying charges depending on how delayed the registration is:
- Within 30 days: ₹20
- Between 30 days and 1 year: ₹50 (with written permission)
- After 1 year: ₹100 (requires District Magistrate approval)
Specific Guidelines for Names and Dates:
- Names in the registration forms must follow a specific format: first name, middle name (if applicable), and last name. Abbreviations are prohibited.
- Dates should be written in the format: dd-mm-yyyy.
Birth and Death in Vehicles:
- If a birth or death occurs in a vehicle (land, air, or water), the information must be provided at the first place of halt.
- In the case of deaths that require an inquest, the officer conducting the inquest is responsible for reporting the death.
Delayed Name Registration:
- If a child’s name was not registered at birth, parents or guardians must submit the name within 12 months of the birth. If the name is provided later, the parents can avail an extended 5-year period (from the rules’ commencement) to register the name, with a late fee.
Certificates for Births and Deaths:
- A certificate of birth or death can be issued electronically or otherwise to the informant, and must be collected within 30 days of reporting. If not collected, it will be sent by post within the following 15 days.
- The certificate will be issued in the designated forms (Form No. 5 or 6) depending on whether it’s for birth or death.
Correction or Cancellation of Entries:
- Clerical or formal errors in the birth or death register can be corrected by the Registrar. If an entry is found to be erroneous in substance, a formal declaration will be required to correct it.
Search Fees and Certificate Issuance:
- A fee of ₹20 will be charged for a search request for a single year, and ₹50 for issuing a birth or death certificate.
Permanent Record Keeping:
- Birth, death, and stillbirth registers will be treated as permanent records. They will not be destroyed and must be safely kept for future reference.
Statistical Reports:
- The Registrar must send monthly statistical reports on births, deaths, and stillbirths, ensuring that comprehensive records are kept up-to-date.
The Rules Introduce the following FORMS along with Direction For Completing The FORMS
FORM 1 A : BIRTH REPORT FOR ADOPTED CHILD
FORM 4 : MEDICAL CERTIFICATE FOR CAUSE OF DEATH
FORM 9 : STILL BIRTH REGISTRATION
FORM 10 : NON-AVAILABILITY CERTIFICATE
FORM 11 : SUMMARY MONTHLY REPORT OF BIRTHS
FORM 12 : SUMMARY MONTHLY REPORT OF DEATHS
FORM 13 : SUMMARY MONTHLY REPORT OF STILL BIRTHS
FORM 15 : FORM FOR APPEAL (To be submitted to District Registrar / Chief Registrar)
