Gujarat govt issues new guidelines for corrections in birth & death certificates

In a significant relief for citizens, the Gujarat Government’s Health & Family Welfare Department has issued a comprehensive advisory simplifying the process of correcting names in birth and death records.

The circular, released by the Chief Registrar (Birth–Death) on November 26, 2025, provides clear guidelines particularly beneficial for divorced parents, single parents, and applicants wanting to change surnames or name order.

Key guidelines in the new advisory

1. Name format for children of divorced parents

If a couple is legally divorced and the court has granted the child’s custody to the mother, the child’s name in the birth certificate can be written using:

Child’s name + Mother’s name + Mother’s surname

 Example: (Child’s Name, Mother’s Name, Mother’s Surname)

2. Biological father’s name cannot be removed

The biological father’s name is mandatory and must remain in the designated field.

3. Option when both parents live together

Even if the mother and father live together with the child, the parents may choose:

To add mother’s name and mother’s surname after the child’s name instead of the father’s name.

This is allowed as long as the father’s name remains in its official column.

4. Middle name (father’s name) and surname optional

Applicants may choose to omit:

the middle name (commonly the father’s name), and

the last name (surname)

This means the birth certificate may contain only the child’s first name, if requested.

5. Change in name order

If parents prefer a different sequence, such as:

Surname + Child’s Name + Father’s Name,

 this format is now officially allowed.

6. Child and father can legally have different surnames

If the applicant wants the child to have a surname different from the father’s, this can be updated.

7. Multiple corrections allowed

Previously, under 2007 rules, corrections could be done only once.

 The new advisory allows:

More than one correction, if circumstances change or if valid documentary evidence is produced.

8. Rules for death certificates

In death records:

Writing the father’s or husband’s name and surname after the deceased’s name is now optional.

Implementation

All district registrars, municipal corporations, and municipalities in Gujarat have been instructed to:

Implement the new guidelines immediately,

Ensure smooth processing of applications under the revised rules.