In India, it is mandatory under the law (as per the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969) to register every death with the concerned State/UT Government.
The time period within which the death has to be registered-
The application form in which you are required to apply is usually available with the area’s local body authorities e.g. local municipal authorities etc., or with the Registrar who maintains the Register of Deaths.
The following is the generalized time period within which the death certificate has to be applied for:
- Within 21 days of the occurrence of death – The person duty-bound as per the Act should inform the Registrar having jurisdiction, apply for a death certificate and obtain without any fee. The Registrar is duty-bound to offer the certificate without any fee or reward.
- Later than 21 days, however within 30 days – The person duty-bound as per the Act may inform the Registrar within 30 days of the occurrence of death and obtain the death certificate by paying a nominal late fee of Rs.2/-.
- Later than 30 days, however within one year – The written permission of the Registrar and an affidavit from a notary public has to be obtained before obtaining the death certificate. The late fee is Rs.5/-.
- Later than one year – It shall be registered only on an order of a Magistrate of the first class or a Presidency Magistrate and on payment of late fees of Rs.10/-.