KMC's Digitisation Programme: What It Means for Your Old Documents

The Digitisation Programme

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been systematically digitising its birth, death, and marriage records as part of a broader e-governance initiative. Records going back to the 1960s are being entered into the digital registry, making it possible to obtain certified digital copies of documents that previously existed only on paper in ward office files.

Why the Digital Version Matters

Many foreign embassies and high commissions now require digitally issued certificates rather than handwritten paper certificates. The UK Home Office, in particular, has become increasingly strict about accepting only certified digital copies from the issuing authority. An old handwritten birth certificate, even if genuine, may not be accepted.

The Process

To obtain a digital version of an old paper certificate, you submit the original certificate to the relevant KMC ward office along with an application for digitisation. KMC verifies the original, enters the details into the digital registry, and issues a certified digital copy. The original is returned to you.

What If the Original Is Lost?

If the original paper certificate is lost, we can search KMC's physical records (which are maintained in the ward offices) to locate the original entry. If the entry exists in the physical records, a certified copy can be issued even without the original certificate.

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