Passport Seva Kendra officers check birth certificates very carefully. Here is exactly what they look for — and what will cause a rejection.
What PSK Officers Check
When you submit a birth certificate as proof of date of birth for a passport application at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Kolkata, the officer will check: that the certificate is issued by KMC (not a hospital); that it bears the KMC seal and authorised signature; that the name on the certificate matches the name on the application form exactly; that the date of birth matches; and that the certificate is not a photocopy (original or certified copy required).
The Name Matching Requirement
This is the most common cause of rejection. The name on the birth certificate must match the name on the passport application exactly — including spelling, order of names, and any middle names. If your birth certificate says "Md. Arif" and your application says "Mohammed Arif", this will be flagged. The solution is either a name correction on the birth certificate or a statutory declaration explaining the variation.
Digitised vs Handwritten Certificates
PSK officers in Kolkata accept both digitised (computer-generated) and handwritten birth certificates, provided the handwritten certificate is an original or certified copy with the KMC seal. However, if the handwritten certificate is old and the ink has faded, or if the seal is not clearly legible, it may be rejected. In these cases, digitisation is strongly recommended before the passport application.
If Your Birth Was Never Registered
If you have no birth certificate, the passport application can still proceed using alternative documents: school leaving certificate, matriculation certificate, or a declaration by the Head of the Educational Institution. However, this route is slower and more likely to result in queries. We recommend obtaining a late birth registration from KMC before applying for a passport wherever possible.
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