An ideal world would maintain complete timeliness and accuracy of records regarding all births and deaths; however, in reality, due to various natural disasters and other events, there is a high likelihood that no record of the birth or death exists, was lost, or was destroyed. With advances in digital technologies, the ability to produce a valid copy of a birth or death certificate, even if the original certificate has not been completed, will be improved in the near future (2025) with Non-Availability Certificates (NACs).
These certificates will serve as a government declaration stating that no birth or death record exists in government databases. Furthermore, they will permit the issuance of a new birth/death certificate or enable completion of the appropriate forms needed for legal reasons such as visa applications and/or property claims.
Quick Overview: NAC at a Glance
Here is the essential information you need, simplified in an easy 3-column table.
| Feature | Details | Why It Matters |
| Document Name | Non-Availability Certificate (NAC) or NABC. | It proves that a birth or death record is not found in the registry. |
| Who Needs It? | People with lost records, unregistered births/deaths, or green card/visa applicants (NRIs). | It is the first legal step to getting a new Birth/Death certificate issued. |
| Issuing Authority | Municipal Corporation (Urban) or Tehsildar/Gram Panchayat (Rural). | You must apply in the specific zone where the event (birth/death) took place. |
What is a Non-Availability Certificate (NAC)?
- A Non-Availability Certificate (NAC) is an official legal document issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths (RBD). It indicates that the relevant authorities have searched their records using the specified name, date and place but did not find any corresponding entry in the records.
- In 2025, there are a number of reasons for applying for an NAC:
- Visa and Immigration: Foreign embassies (especially from the USA, Canada and Australia) often require that you produce an NAC if you are applying for a Green Card or Permanent Residency and are unable to provide a birth certificate.
- Issuing Passport: People born before 1989 who do not possess a birth certificate may have difficulty obtaining a passport.
- Delayed Registration of Birth or Death: If you would like to register a birth or death that has occurred many years ago, you will first have to obtain an NAC to establish that it was not already registered previously.
Documents Required for Application
To get an NAC, you must prove that the event (birth or death) actually happened but wasn’t recorded.
| Document Type | For Birth NAC | For Death NAC |
| Identity Proof | Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport. | Aadhaar of the deceased & applicant. |
| Address Proof | Ration Card, Electricity Bill, or Water Bill. | Ration Card or Utility Bill. |
| Evidence of Event | School Leaving Certificate (10th Marksheet), Hospital Discharge Slip, or Baptism Certificate. | Cremation/Burial ground receipt or Doctor’s letter. |
| Affidavit (Most Important) | A notarized affidavit stating birth details and that no certificate exists. | A notarized affidavit from a close relative stating death details. |
| Photographs | Passport-sized photo of the applicant. | Photo of the deceased (if available). |
Note: For NRIs applying from abroad, you may need to grant a Power of Attorney (PoA) to a relative in India to apply on your behalf.
How to Apply for NAC (Step-by-Step)
- Your region may utilise a combination of both online and offline methods to obtain your NAC, depending on the state that you reside in as of 2025.
- Online Applications (Select States): In some states such as Delhi (MCD), Odisha, Punjab and Kerala there are currently active portals for online applications.
- To access the portal, you will need to navigate to either your local Municipal Corporation’s website or CRS portal (crsorgi.gov.in), and create a user account by providing your mobile phone number; once again, this depends on where you live.
- Once registered, you can perform a search for your birth or death records.
- If no records were found when performing the search, you will then be able to submit a request for a Non-Availability Certificate.
- For this, you will need to upload scanned copies of your ID, along with the affidavit.
- The amount you will typically be required to pay is a small fee (approximately ₹20-₹100), which can be paid at the time of submitting your request for the NAC.
- Once your request is approved (typically takes 7 to 21 days), the approved NAC will be available for you to download as an electronically signed PDF.
- Offline Applications (Standard Process): If there are no online portals available in your area, you can still submit your application for an NAC using this traditional method.
- To do so, you will need to visit your local Health Department-Governmental Authority (Municipal Corporation or Gram Panchayat) where the birth or death occurred.
- Once at the Health Department-Governmental Authority (Municipal Corporation or Gram Panchayat), you will be required to fill out a Request Form for your Non-Availability Certificate (Form 10), including the exact date and location of the event.
- In addition, you are required to submit an Affidavit with your request and this must be submitted as an original on the appropriate stamp paper, which may differ in value across each state (generally, ₹10-₹20). You also need to have your affidavit signed by a Notary Public or Court Clerk.
Processing Time and Fees
- The average processing time for this type of application is between 15 and 30 business days. If you are requesting records that were created before the year 1970, it may take longer, as these will require a manual search through archival records.
- Fees associated with creating an affidavit to obtain this information are minimal (usually between ₹5 – ₹50) charged by the government. If you choose to have your affidavit drafted by a lawyer or agent, however, their fees will be added to this amount.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: “Can I apply for a NAC anywhere in India?”
“No, you can only apply to the Municipal Office or Panchayat where the Birth or Death occurred. For example, you cannot apply to a NAC in Mumbai if your child was born in Chennai.”
Q2: “Is the NAC accepted as proof of my Green Card Application to USCIS?”
“Yes, USCIS will accept the NAC along with proof of two parent/relative affidavits to establish secondary evidence of your Birth.”
Q3: “What if I do not have my hospital discharge slip?”
If the Hospital does not maintain a record of your admission, then the Notarized Affidavit is required. You may also need a Verification letter from your Local Councilor or Village Sarpanch confirming your Residence and Birth information.”
Q4: “Is it possible to obtain an NAC if the name on the original record is incorrect?”
“No, the NAC only pertains to ‘Missing’ records. If a record exists but contains errors, you must obtain a Birth/Death Correction Certificate instead of an NAC.”
Q5: “Is the process for obtaining an NAC for someone born prior to 1969 the same as for someone born after 1969?”
“Yes, the process will be as if the plurality of births prior to 1969 were not subject to the requirement of registering births and deaths under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1969.”
Conclusion
A NAC (Non-Availability Certificate) is a necessary step in 2025 for normalizing your civil records. As an NRI (Non-Resident Indian), you will need to determine your visa status, and for local residents, this document provides a way of tying your actual history to the official records of the Government of India. Your affidavit must be correct, and it should always be submitted in the appropriate jurisdiction; otherwise, it will be denied.
