The Punjab Local Government Department has finalised and officially notified a new legal framework aimed at streamlining the birth and death registration system across the province. The updated rules, now published in the Punjab Gazette, mark a significant step forward in modernizing an outdated and often cumbersome process.
Under the new regulations, birth registration from birth up to seven years of age will be completely free, offering major relief to families and promoting timely documentation of vital records.
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To improve administrative efficiency, the government has clearly outlined the roles of various officials based on the age of the applicant:
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Births registered within one year of age will be handled by the secretary of the respective union council.
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Births registered between one and seven years will be managed by the assistant director.
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For registrations beyond seven years, the deputy director will be responsible.
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In a major reform, the requirement of a court decree for late birth registration has been abolished. This decision is expected to significantly reduce legal obstacles for citizens attempting to register unrecorded births.
However, for cases exceeding a delay of seven years, applicants will need to publish a newspaper advertisement to validate their claim. Additionally, a registration fee will apply to such cases.
The provincial government emphasized that the reforms are designed to simplify documentation procedures, enhance service delivery, and ensure accurate and timely registration of births and deaths across all districts.
Officials believe these legislative improvements will encourage more citizens to register births and deaths, helping the government maintain up-to-date civil records essential for planning and development.
