SM Ashikuzzaman

DHAKA, May 8, 2026 (BSS) - Birth and death registration is not just a 
personal matter, but it serves as one of the basics of civil rights, planning 
and state management.

The Birth and Death Registration Act was enacted in 2004 in the country with 
subsequent amendments and consolidation. According to the act, it is 
mandatory for a person to register his or her birth or death.

According to the Birth and Death Registration Act, in the case of a person's 
born, death or permanent residency in the city corporation area, an officer 
or councilor authorised by the mayor or administrator of the concerned 
corporation will act as the registrar for the time and jurisdiction 
determined by the mayor or administrator of the concerned corporation.

In the case of a person's born, death or permanent residency in the 
municipality area, the mayor or administrator or any authorised officer or 
councilor of the concerned municipality will act as the registrar.

In the case of a person's born, death or permanently residing in the Union 
Parishad (UP) area, the Chairman of the Union Parishad concerned or any 
authorised officer or member designated by the government shall act as the 
registrar.

In the case of a person's born, death or permanently residing in cantonment 
area, the Executive Officer of the Cantonment Board concerned or any 
authorised officer shall act as the registrar.

In the case of a Bangladeshis' born, death abroad or residing abroad until a 
specified time or date as notified by the government in the official gazette, 
an officer authorised by the Ambassador of the Bangladesh Embassy shall act 
as the registrar.

Meanwhile, the law states that more than one person cannot act as registrar 
at the same time in the same area for the registration of births and deaths. 
And according to the Section 5 of this Act, the registrar shall register all 
persons in the birth and death registration book, regardless of race, 
religion, caste, group, or gender.

If the birth or death of a person is not registered within the specified time 
as per Section 7 of the Act, the registrar may issue a notice directing the 
parents, sons, daughters or guardians of the person concerned or any 
designated person to provide the information on the birth and death.

Under the Section 8 of this Act, the parents or guardians of a child or the 
designated person shall be bound to provide the information on the birth to 
the registrar within 45 days of the birth of the child. Again, the son or 
daughter or guardian or designated person of the deceased shall be bound to 
provide the information on the death to the registrar within 45 days of the 
death.

According to Section 10 of the Act, the name of a child shall be determined 
before the registration of the birth. However, if the name of a child is not 
determined, the birth of that child may be registered and in that case, his 
name shall be furnished within 45 days after the registration.

According to the Section 11 of this Act, the registrar shall, on the 
application of any person, issue a birth or death certificate of the 
registered person at the prescribed fee and in the prescribed manner.
According to the Section 14, the registrar shall maintain the registration 
book in the prescribed manner and form and the registration book shall be 
considered as a permanent record.
 
According to Section 15, if any incorrect information is written in the 
registration book or birth or death certificate, an application can be made 
to the concerned registrar along with the prescribed fee for correction.

Meanwhile, if any birth or death certificate is issued due to providing 
incorrect information or false declaration, the registrar shall cancel the 
concerned birth or death certificate on the basis of an application of any 
person along with the prescribed fee for cancellation and shall sign the 
relevant part of the registration book accordingly.

According to Section 18 of this Act, in the case of proving the age, birth 
and death details of a person, the birth or death certificate issued under 
this Act in any office or court or school-college or government and private 
institution shall be considered as evidence.

Meanwhile, a person violating any provision of this act or the rules shall be 
punishable with a fine not exceeding Taka 5,000. And if any person provides 
false information for the registration of birth or death or give any written 
statement or declaration which he/she knows or believes to be false, then 
that person shall be punishable with a fine not exceeding Taka 5,000 or with 
imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or with both. 

On the other hand, if any registrar registers a birth or death despite being 
aware of the false information, written statement or declaration, then the 
registrar concerned shall be punishable with a fine not exceeding Taka 5,000 
or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or with both, unless 
he/she is able to prove that the said offence was committed without his 
knowledge or that he made every effort to prevent the said offence.
The aggrieved person or the registrar may file a case with a magistrate court 
for failure to discharge duties under Section 22 of this Act.