NRIs of Goan Origin holding Indian Citizenship often seek clarification in regard to registration of Birth of their children born abroad, in Goa.
As per clarification obtained from the Chief Registrar of Births & Deaths, the registration of birth of such citizens is governed by Section 20 of the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969, which envisage that in the case of any child born outside India in respect of whom information has not been received from the Indian Embassies / High Commissions / Consulates under the Citizenship Act, 1955, if the parents of the child return to India with a view to settling therein, they may, at any time within 60 days from the date of the arrival of the child in India, get the birth of the child registered under the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969, in the same manner as if the child was born in India.
Since Section 20(2) clearly specifies that the parents of the child should return to India for permanent settlement, the Registrar of Birth and Deaths is mandated to take a joint affidavit from the parents of the child to get the birth registered in India.
