India Civil Registration

The records are not centrally located. Some are in the capitals of the states, but others are scattered in district and municipal offices. For a list of India's states and their capitals, see List of state and union territory capitals in India. For lists of the districts within each of India's states, see List of districts in India.

Records of the India Office are at:
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
United Kingdom

Customer Services Telephone: +44 (0)1937 546060
Customer Services Email: Customer-Services@bl.uk

Background[edit | edit source]

Registration of births and deaths began about 1751. However, not until 1969 was there a uniform registration for all of India, excepting the 1886 Act for voluntary registration. The British involvement in India started in 1619. For more information, see British Presence in India.

Coverage and Compliance[edit | edit source]

Information Recorded in the Records[edit | edit source]

The following information may be found in these records: Birth

Child's name
Child's gender
Date and place of birth
Names of parents
Father's occupation
Father's caste and religion
Informant's name

Some states also collect information about age of mother and order of birth. Birth records do not always have the child’s name recorded as in some areas it is customary to give children names two or three weeks after birth. For additional information, see India Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records.

Marriage

Name
Birth Date
Age
Spouse's Name
Spouse's Birth Date
Spouse's Age
Event Date
Event Place
Father's Name
Spouse's Father's Name
Marital Status
Spouse's Marital Status

For additional information, see India Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records.

Death

Name
Gender
Death date and place
Burial date and place
Age
Cause of death
Date of birth
Place of birth
Parents' names
Spouse's name
Names of other family members
Marital status
Caste and religion of deceased
Occupation of deceased
Informant's name

For additional information, see India Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records.