How to Apply for Non Availability of Death Certificate Online in India

September 20, 2026

If a family member’s death was never officially registered with the government, obtaining a standard death certificate directly is not possible. Instead, you must first apply for a Non-Availability of Death Certificate (NADC). This document acts as an official “no-record-found” confirmation from the registrar, proving that the death database has been searched and no existing entry was found. It is the mandatory legal gateway required to initiate a late or delayed death registration.

Under Section 17 of the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969, citizens can legally request a search of the register for any birth or death entry. If no record exists, the authority issues the NADC, formally known as Form No. 10 under state civil registration rules. While the RBD Act of 1969 made birth and death registration compulsory throughout India on April 1, 1970, civil registration remains decentralized. Consequently, there is no single national portal for this service; applications must be submitted online through state-specific e-District portals, ServicePlus platforms, or local municipal and panchayat offices.

What is a Non-Availability of Death Certificate (NADC)?

A Non-Availability of Death Certificate is a formal declaration issued by the local registrar stating that a specific death record is not present in the government archives. Formally designated as Form No. 10, this document is issued after the registrar conducts a thorough search of the physical and digital registers for the year and location specified by the applicant.

It is crucial to understand that an NADC is not a substitute for a Death Certificate. It does not certify the death itself, but rather certifies the absence of a registered record of that death. If the registrar’s search reveals that the death was already registered, they will issue a standard Death Certificate instead of an NADC.

Benefits and Legal Uses of NADC

Gateway for Delayed Registration: The primary legal utility of an NADC is to apply for “Delayed Registration of Death” under Section 13 of the RBD Act, 1969. Without Form No. 10, local authorities cannot process late registration claims.
International and Institutional Recognition: The certificate is widely recognized by both Indian and international entities, including passport offices, insurance companies, financial institutions, and foreign embassies, to establish the legal status of a deceased individual when no original registry entry exists.

Eligibility and Prerequisites for Online Application

Before initiating the online application process, ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria and prepare the necessary details:

Applicant Relationship: The applicant must be a direct relative, descendant, legal heir, or close family member of the deceased. Third-party applications without proven relationships are generally not entertained.
Jurisdiction: The exact location where the death occurred (hospital, residence, or public place) must fall strictly within the local administrative jurisdiction of the registrar office where you are applying.
Search Parameters: You must know the approximate year, date, and location of the death. This information is critical because municipal archives are searched based on these specific timelines and physical boundaries.

Documents Required for Online NADC Application

To ensure a smooth online application process, scan and save the following documents in PDF format (individually under 3MB) before uploading them to the state portal:

Application Form: A completed state-specific application form or CDMA-Non Availability Certificate Application Form.
Identity Proof of Applicant: Self-attested copy of Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Passport.
Proof of Address: Residence proof of the applicant or the last known address of the deceased.
Proof of Death: Supporting evidence such as a hospital discharge summary, cremation/burial ground receipt, or a formal declaration letter signed by village elders.
Notarized Affidavit: A legal declaration executed on non-judicial stamp paper, notarized by a public notary, stating clearly that the death occurred on the specified date but was never officially registered.
For Medico-Legal Cases: If the death involved an accident, suspicious circumstances, or a police inquiry, you must upload the Police FIR, Postmortem Report, and Form-2 issued by the respective police station.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for NADC Online

The online application process is conducted through decentralized state service portals. Follow these steps to submit your application:

Locate the Correct State Portal: Identify and access the official e-District or ServicePlus portal of the state where the death took place (for example, Saral Haryana, MeeSeva for Telangana/Andhra Pradesh, or Aaple Sarkar for Maharashtra).
User Registration: Create a secure user profile on the portal using your active mobile number, email ID, and Aadhaar card details. Generate your login credentials.
Navigate to the Service: Once logged in, use the search bar to locate the service titled “Non-Availability Certificate for Death” or “Application for Certificate for Non-Availability of Birth and Death”.
Fill in the Application Form: Input the required details accurately, including the deceased’s full name, gender, exact date or approximate year of death, exact location of death, and parent or spouse details.
Upload the Enclosures: Upload the scanned copies of your identity proof, address proof, notarized affidavit, and death/cremation proofs. Ensure all files are in PDF format and strictly under 3MB.
Pay the Service Fee: Proceed to the integrated online payment gateway. Pay the nominal, state-regulated processing fee using net banking, UPI, or a debit/credit card.
Track and Download: Note down the generated acknowledgement ID or transaction number. Once the local revenue or municipal officers complete the database verification, you can log back in to download your digitally signed Form 10 NADC.

Application Fees and Processing Timelines by State

Because the implementation of the RBD Act is decentralized, application fees and verification timelines vary across different states:

Haryana (Saral/ServicePlus): The official government fee is ₹35. The standard processing and delivery timeline ranges between 14 to 30 days.
Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (MeeSeva): The service charge is approximately ₹35, along with nominal panchayat or municipal printing charges that may scale up to ₹100.
Maharashtra: Applications processed through the state portal target a rapid turnaround timeline of 5 days.

Important Legal Warnings and Special Cases

Applying for an NADC involves strict legal compliance. Keep the following points in mind:

Punishment for False Information: Providing incorrect details or misleading claims in the notarized affidavit or online application form is a punishable offense under Section 23 of the RBD Act, 1969.
Rejection and Appeals: If your application is rejected due to insufficient search parameters or documents, you must file a review petition or escalate the matter directly to the District Collector.
Missing Persons (Civil Death): In cases where an individual has gone missing and has not been heard of for over 7 years, a court declaration of “civil death” must be secured from a civil court before municipal bodies can process an NADC application.

Official Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an NADC online for deaths that occurred decades ago?

Yes. Most state e-District portals allow historical database searches dating back several decades. However, because older records often require manual validation of physical ledgers by the local registrar, the processing timeline for such applications is typically longer, taking up to 30 days.

What happens after I get the NADC?

Once you receive the Form 10 NADC, you must present it alongside a lawyer-notarized late registration form to your local Executive Magistrate or Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). This authority will review the case and issue a formal order under Section 13 of the RBD Act, directing the local registrar to enter the death into the register and issue a fresh, standard Death Certificate.

Conclusion

Obtaining a Non-Availability of Death Certificate (Form 10) is a critical step in rectifying unregistered family records. By utilizing your state’s official e-District or ServicePlus portal, preparing a precise notarized affidavit, and uploading clear proof of the event, you can legally establish the absence of the registration. This document serves as the absolute legal prerequisite to successfully petition for a late death registration order under the RBD Act, 1969.