Gujarat Changes Birth Certificate Rules: Father’s Middle Name Now Optional

AHMEDABAD: Getting a name corrected on a birth certificate or changing a parent’s details could become easier in Gujarat, with the Chief Registrar (Birth and Death) issuing a fresh advisory to registrars and sub-registrars on the procedure to be followed in different circumstances.

The order, dated September 2, 2026, provides detailed clarification on corrections involving names, surnames and the names of guardians or parents in birth and death certificates. Registration of births and deaths in the state is handled under the Health Department.

One of the key changes is that the father’s name will no longer have to be used as the child’s middle name on a birth certificate. The advisory makes it clear that retaining the father’s name as a middle name is optional.

The guidelines also address situations involving separated or divorced parents. If both parents are living with the child and the father’s name is to be removed and the mother’s name added, the correction can be made on the basis of the father’s written consent.

In cases where parents are divorced and the mother has custody, the child’s birth certificate can be amended to reflect the mother’s name and surname if supported by a court order.

The advisory also permits name corrections based on supporting documents, including the Government Gazette and government-issued photo identification such as Aadhaar or PAN, where required. This provision can also apply when the surname of a child differs from that of the father.

The clarification extends to death certificates as well. If the deceased’s name is recorded after the father’s or husband’s name, it will not be mandatory to treat that name as a “middle name”. The name can instead be recorded according to the individual’s requirements and available documentary evidence.

Importantly, the Chief Registrar has clarified that an affidavit will not be mandatory in every case for such amendments.

Registrars and sub-registrars have been directed to examine the certified and supporting documents and take action in accordance with the applicable rules.

The new advisory is expected to bring greater clarity and reduce confusion for citizens seeking legitimate corrections in vital birth and death records.