NEW DELHI, Mar 1: The Centre has amended the Passport Rules, making birth certificates the sole proof of date of birth for passport applicants born on or after October 1, 2023. This amendment is part of the Passports (Amendment) Rules 2025 and applies to those born after the specified date. An official notification has been issued to effect the changes in the Passport Rules of 1980.

Under the new norms, birth certificates issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, Municipal Corporations, or any other authority empowered under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, will be accepted as the only valid proof of date of birth for applicants born on or after October 1, 2023.

For individuals born before this date, the existing system will remain unchanged, allowing them to provide alternative documents such as a driving license, PAN card, Election Photo Identity Card, school leaving certificate, service record (for government employees), or policy bonds issued by the Life Insurance Corporation or any other recognized insurer.

This change aims to streamline the process of verifying date of birth details and ensure consistency in the documents submitted by new applicants. By making birth certificates the sole acceptable document for those born after October 2023, the government seeks to reduce the risk of fraudulent submissions and discrepancies in date of birth records. The amendment aligns with global best practices in passport issuance and identity verification, enhancing the integrity of the process.