A Non Availability Certificate (NAC) or a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) is generally issued in Form No. 10, under section 17 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. If an individual’s birth took place in the State of Punjab, however, the birth was never registered with the authorities, in such a case, an NABC or NAC is issued to the applicant. The said document i.e. NABC or NAC, is ideally used in applications such as passport, OCI cards, US Green Card, and various legal procedures.
Individuals born decades ago are usually unsure if their birth records were ever registered or not, specifically in rural areas of Punjab. This is where the Non Availability of Birth Certificate Punjab becomes essential. In such cases, the concerned authority may issue an NABC after verifying that no birth record is available.
Whether the birth of an individual took place before or after the mandatory registration requirement, an NABC certificate is the legally recognised way to confirm that no birth record is traceable. This guide walks through what the certificate is, who needs it, the documents required, the Form 10 filing process, and how it applies specifically to NRI applicants from Punjab.
What is a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC)?
A Non Availability Certificate (NAC) or Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) is an official document issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, or Health and Family Welfare Department, or Nagar Panchayat, or Gram Panchayat office having jurisdiction over the applicant's place of birth, depending on whether the birth occurred in an urban or rural area, confirming that a search of municipal records was conducted and no registered birth entry for a specific individual on a specific date, at a specific place was located. A Non Availability Certificate (NAC) or Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) is not a substitute of birth certificate; rather is issued in lieu of a birth certificate. It is a formal declaration that no birth records could be found after carrying out a search, which is usually accepted by the government departments, passport authorities, and authorities overseas, as a valid supporting evidence of birth. A Non Availability Certificate (NAC) or Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) is obtained in cases such as-
-
Your birth was never registered.
-
Your birth record cannot be traced.
-
You require proof that no government birth record exists.
When Do You Need an NABC Certificate from Punjab?
An NABC or NAC from Punjab is required, when the birth took place in the State of Punjab in cities such as Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Moga, Patiala, Bathinda, etc. however, the birth was never registered. An NABC Punjab is usually required in cases such as:
-
Application for Passport.
-
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) in some cases.
-
US Immigration (USCIS).
-
Canada Permanent Residency.
-
UK Visa.
-
Australian Immigration.
-
Delayed Birth Registration.
Documents Required for NABC in Punjab
In order to obtain a Non Availability Certificate (NAC) or Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC), it is important to furnish a few documents as supporting evidence for the authorities to carry out a search of records, such as-
-
A duly filled application (Non-Availability Certificate form) addressed to the local Registrar.
-
An affidavit stating date, place, and circumstances of birth.
-
Proof of date of birth from school records such as High School Certificate, School Leaving certificate.
-
Passport, OCI Cards, Aadhaar card, PAN card, or voter ID as identity proof of the applicant and parents of the applicant.
-
Ration card or domicile certificate as residence proof of parents at the time of birth.
Applicants frequently ask, "which documents required for birth certificate" applications versus NABC applications, and the distinction matters. Meeting these documentary requirements upfront significantly reduces processing delays.
NABC Form 10 — Format & Filing Process
The form 10 certificate application (also referred to as form 10 certificate in some Punjab municipal offices) is the standard prescribed format under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, used to formally request a non-availability search and certificate. The form requires details such as :
-
Full name of the applicant and parents.
-
Exact date and place of birth.
-
Address at the time of birth.
-
Declaration that no birth certificate has previously been obtained for the stated details.
Once the above-mentioned details are submitted before the authority, the office of the Registrar conducts a record search covering the relevant year(s). If no entry or record is found, the NABC is issued. Where partial or ambiguous records exist, the applicant may be asked to furnish additional corroborating documents, to clear the ambiguities.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for NABC in Punjab
-
Identify the correct jurisdiction
In order to avoid any errors and delays, it is pertinent that the jurisdiction is first ascertained. The application should be submitted to the Municipal Corporation for urban births, and Nagar Panchayat or Gram Panchayat for rural births in Punjab, based on the recorded place of birth.
-
Submit Form 10 Application
The completely filled application along with the supporting documents listed above should be submitted at the office of the Registrar for scrutiny.
-
Search of Birth Records
Based on the details provided and the documents submitted, the office of the Registrar conducts a thorough search to check for the birth records.
-
Verification
The local Registrar or an appointed Verification Officer may cross-check school records, ration cards, or voter rolls before finalising.
-
Issuance of the NABC
Once verified, the NABC is issued bearing an official seal and the Registrar's signature.
Can NABC be issued in Lieu of a Lost Birth Certificate
Applicants who are unsure as to how to get birth certificate if lost, often confuse that they should go ahead with getting an NABC rather than getting a duplicate birth certificate reissued. Therefore, if your birth certificate is lost, one should apply for obtaining another copy of the same, rather than applying for an NABC.
Validity and Time Limit of an NABC Certificate
Ideally, a Birth Certificate and NABC has no expiry date. The validity of birth certificate substitutes such as the NABC is generally tied to the purpose for which it is issued. For visa applications generally, the authorities expect the certificate to be reasonably recent (commonly within six months to a year of application) to reflect that the underlying records position hasn't changed.
How Malik Law Offices India Can Help with Your NABC Application
Navigating Punjab's municipal processes, drafting legally sound documents, and ensuring that the documents meet attestation standards can be time-consuming, particularly for NRI clients who are coordinating the process from abroad. If you're facing a non-availability of birth record situation and need it resolved correctly the first time.
Request a Consultation with our team to discuss your specific case.
