Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) is a document which is issued by the municipal authorities or the registrar of births and deaths when the birth of any individual took place in their jurisdiction, however, no record of birth is found in their register.

Any person who does not have a birth certificate whether because it was never registered, has been lost, damaged, or misplaced over the years, can apply for a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC). This certificate acts as an official confirmation from the government that no birth record exists in its register.

Often, people discover the absence of their birth certificate when applying for important documents like a passport, school or college admission, visa, or when trying to avail government schemes and benefits. In such situations, an NABC becomes essential to establish one’s birth details.

The application for an NABC can be made either by the individual themselves or, in the case of minors, by their parents or legal guardians. It needs to be submitted to the Municipal Corporation, local Panchayat Office, or the Registrar of Births and Deaths, depending on where the birth was supposed to have been registered. This process helps individuals obtain an official acknowledgment of their unregistered birth, ensuring they are not deprived of rights or opportunities due to missing documentation.

Purpose

An NABC is used to prove that a person’s birth was not officially registered and is often required:

• When applying for a passport, visa, or OCI card
• For school admissions
• Migrating to another country
• Availing government schemes 
• To later register the birth or obtain a birth certificate by affidavit

Generally Required Documents

The following documents are generally required to be submitted while filling the NABC application-

1. Application Form for NABC (available at the municipal office or online portal).
2. Affidavit stating that the birth was not registered.
3. ID Proof of the applicant (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.).
4. Proof of birth date and place, such as:
   • Hospital discharge slip (if available)
   • School leaving certificate
   • Passport or any official record mentioning date of birth
5. Parents’ ID proofs.
6. Address proof (ration card, Aadhaar, voter ID, etc.).

Application Process

To obtain a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC), the applicant is required to visit the concerned Municipal Corporation or Panchayat Office where the birth should have been registered. 

After duly filling out the form and attaching the required supporting documents, it must be submitted to the Registrar of Births and Deaths. The authorities will then verify the records in their birth registers, and if no record of birth is found, a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate is issued. The process generally takes around 2-4 weeks to complete.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) serves as an essential legal document for individuals whose birth records are missing or untraceable in the government register. It acts as official proof that no birth entry exists, enabling applicants to pursue critical procedures such as passport issuance, visa processing, or late birth registration. Given its legal significance, it is crucial to follow the correct application process and ensure all supporting documents are in order. Timely verification and issuance of an NABC not only uphold administrative transparency but also safeguard an individual’s right to identity and legal recognition.