Complete Guide to Digitizing Old Handwritten Birth Certificates in West Bengal

Digitizing Old Handwritten Birth Certificates: Is your or your child’s birth certificate still handwritten? Are you facing various problems with that old certificate? Currently, digital or computerized birth certificates are required in almost all cases. From government schemes to school and college admissions, this digital certificate is mandatory. However, many people do not know how to convert an old handwritten certificate into a digital one. In today’s post, we will discuss the complete process of doing this step-by-step, both through the West Bengal government’s Janma Mrityu Tathya portal and offline.

Why is a Digital Certificate Important?

In the age of Digital India, almost all government documents have been computerized. The acceptability and utility of digital documents are much higher than handwritten ones. A digital birth certificate has several key advantages:

• Accessibility: Once digitized, you can download your certificate anytime, anywhere from the Janma Mrityu Tathya portal.
• Security: There is no fear of a digital certificate being lost or damaged. It remains secure on the government portal.
• Authenticity: It contains a QR code, making it very easy to verify its authenticity, which helps prevent fraud.
• Universal Acceptance: A digital certificate is now mandatory for applying to schools, colleges, passports, Aadhaar cards, or any government scheme.

Is Your Certificate Already Digital? Here’s How to Check

For many, the old certificate may have already been digitized. It is wise to check online before applying. Follow the steps below:

1. First, visit the official website of the West Bengal government: janmamrityutathya.wb.gov.in.
2. On the homepage, click on the ‘Citizen Services’ menu and select the ‘Birth’ option.
3. Next, click on options like ‘Check Status’ or ‘Download Certificate’.
4. Search using the registration number from your old certificate or by entering your child’s name, date of birth, and parents’ names.
5. If your information appears online and you see an option to download the certificate, it means your certificate has already been digitized. You do not need to apply again.

The Offline Process for Digitizing a Handwritten Certificate

According to the information from the video, there is currently no direct online system in West Bengal to digitize old handwritten birth certificates. You will need to follow the offline procedure. Don’t worry, the process is very simple.

Where to Go?

You must go to the same office from where your handwritten birth certificate was originally issued.

• For Rural Areas: Contact your Gram Panchayat office.
• For Urban Areas: Go to your nearest Municipality or Municipal Corporation office.
• If Born in a Hospital: You need to contact the birth and death registry department of the hospital where the birth took place.

Required Documents

It is essential to bring the following documents with you when you apply:

• The original and a photocopy of the old handwritten birth certificate.
• Photo identity proof of the father and mother (e.g., Aadhaar card, Voter ID card).
• Identity proof of the applicant (if available).
• An active mobile number (all updates will be sent here).
• An application form (in many cases, a specific form is provided, which can be collected from the office).

Next Steps After Application

After submitting your documents at the relevant office, the officials will verify the information you provided. If everything is correct, they will update your old data on their online portal. Once this process is complete, you will receive a confirmation message on the mobile number you provided. After that, you can search for and download your digital birth certificate online. By following this simple procedure, you can easily convert your old certificate to a digital one and avoid future hassles.