Settling inherited property claims, closing deceased family members’ bank accounts, claiming life insurance benefits, or applying for family welfare pensions requires an authentic government-issued record, making death certificate online apply bihar a vital administrative process. Under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969, every death that occurs within the geographical jurisdiction of Bihar must be officially reported to the competent local Registrar. The Government of Bihar has streamlined this procedure via the Civil Registration System (CRS) and the RTPS ServicePlus portal at serviceonline.bihar.gov.in, empowering citizens to register a death and obtain a digital certificate without unnecessary administrative delays.
In this detailed article, we explain the statutory registration guidelines, detail required medical and legal documents, outline the step-by-step application procedure, and show you how to download the certified digital death certificate.
Bihar Death Certificate 2026: Essential Information
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Enacting Legislation | Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969 |
| Nodal Department | Planning & Development Dept (Directorate of Economics & Statistics) |
| Official Portals | crsorgi.gov.in & serviceonline.bihar.gov.in |
| Standard Reporting Window | Within 21 Days of Death (Completely Free of Cost) |
| Delayed Registration | 21–30 Days (Late Fee), 30 Days–1 Year (BDO/SDO Order), >1 Year (Magistrate Order) |
| Official Fee | ₹0 (If reported within statutory 21 days) |
| Issuing Authority | Registrar (Birth & Death) / Nagar Nigam Health Officer / Panchayat Secretary |
| Document Validity | Permanent Legal Record |
Why Is a Death Certificate Mandatory?
A Death Certificate is an indispensable legal document required across numerous estate, financial, and administrative situations:
1. Insurance Claims & Provident Fund (PF): Processing claims for LIC, private life insurance, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and EPFO pension payouts.
2. Banking & Fixed Deposit Settlements: Transferring bank balances, closing accounts, removing names from joint accounts, or claiming locker holdings.
3. Property Mutation & Land Transfer: Mandatory for changing land ownership (Dakhil Kharij / Jamabandi) and executing legal heir succession in Bihar.
4. Social Welfare & Family Pensions: Claiming widow pensions (Vidhwa Pension), family welfare allowances, or compassionate government appointment quotas.
5. Tax & Legal Formalities: Updating voter lists, cancelling Aadhaar cards, and closing income tax assessments.
Statutory Registration Timelines & Delayed Rules
Under Section 13 of the RBD Act:
– Within 21 Days of Occurrence: Registration is free of charge and requires standard institutional discharge/cremation documentation.
– Between 21 and 30 Days: Permissible with payment of a nominal late fee of ₹2 with the approval of the local Registrar.
– Between 30 Days and 1 Year: Requires a written endorsement from the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) or Block Development Officer (BDO), along with a notarized affidavit and a fee of ₹5.
– After 1 Year of Occurrence: Mandates a formal order from an Executive Magistrate / Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) following police inquiry, verification of cremation records, and payment of a ₹10 fee.
Documents Required for Bihar Death Certificate Online Apply
Ensure you have scanned digital copies (under 200 KB in JPEG or PDF format) of the following mandatory papers:
– Hospital Death Summary / Medical Certification: Form 4 / 4A signed by an attending medical practitioner (for institutional deaths).
– Cremation / Burial Receipt: Official receipt from the crematorium, shamshan ghat, or burial kabristan committee.
– Identity Proof of the Deceased: Aadhaar Card, Voter Identity Card, or Ration Card of the deceased person.
– Identity Proof of the Informant / Legal Heir: Aadhaar Card or Voter ID of the applicant (spouse, son, daughter, or legal guardian).
– Proof of Residential Address: Domicile certificate, electricity bill, or land records establishing permanent residence in Bihar.
– Affidavit (For Delayed Cases): Notarized sworn statement detailing the date, cause, and place of death and explaining the delay.
Step-by-Step Guide for Death Certificate Online Apply Bihar
Follow this verified workflow to register a death online via the Civil Registration System (CRS):
Step 1: Open the Official Civil Registration Portal
Visit the national portal at crsorgi.gov.in.
Step 2: Create a Citizen Account
- Under the User Login panel, click on General Public Signup.
- Enter your chosen User ID, active Email ID, Mobile Number, and select the Date of Event.
- Select State (Bihar), District, Sub-District, Village/Town, and Gram Panchayat or Municipal Ward.
- Complete the captcha verification and click Register.
- Activate your account using the confirmation link sent to your email and set a secure password.
Step 3: Complete Death Report Form (Form 2)
Log in and select Death -> Add Death Registration (मृत्यु पंजीकरण जोड़ें):
– Deceased Demographics:
– Date of Death and Exact Time (if known).
– Gender (Male, Female, or Transgender).
– First, Middle, and Last Name of the deceased person.
– Aadhaar Number of the deceased (if available).
– Age at the time of death (Years, Months, or Days).
– Place of Occurrence:
– Select “Hospital” or “House”.
– If hospital, select the medical institution from the registered list.
– If house or other location, enter the exact street and municipal/panchayat details.
– Spouse / Parental Details:
– Full Name and Aadhaar Number of Husband/Wife, Father, and Mother.
– Permanent address and address of the deceased at the time of death.
– Informant Details:
– Name, relationship to deceased, mobile number, and address of the person reporting the event.
– Statistical Information:
– Religion, occupation of deceased, type of medical attention received prior to death, and verified cause of death.
Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents & Submit
- Attach the scanned Medical Certificate of Cause of Death or Crematorium Slip.
- Review the completed summary screen to ensure exact match with official records.
- Click Submit.
- Download the printed Application Form and Acknowledgment Receipt featuring the unique Application Reference Number.
How to Download Digital Bihar Death Certificate
Once verified and approved by the local Registrar of Births and Deaths:
1. Log in to crsorgi.gov.in or visit the RTPS portal at serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
2. Click on Download Certificate.
3. Enter the Application Reference Number and deceased name.
4. Download the legally certified PDF featuring a cryptographic digital signature and an authenticated verification QR code.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many days does it take to obtain a death certificate in Bihar?
If registered within 21 days with valid institutional hospital records, the certificate is generally issued within 7 to 14 working days. Delayed registrations requiring magistrate clearance take approximately 30 to 45 working days.
Q2. Can a death certificate be downloaded if the event occurred outside Bihar?
No. A death certificate must always be registered and issued by the local authority where the death actually occurred, regardless of where the deceased held permanent property or citizenship.
Q3. Is an online digital death certificate accepted by insurance companies and banks?
Yes. Digital certificates issued through the CRS or RTPS framework carry legal validity under Section 5 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and are accepted by all insurance companies, banks, and courts across India.
Q4. What should I do if there is a spelling mistake in the deceased person’s name?
Submit an application for correction (Form 11) to the local Registrar who issued the original certificate, accompanied by the deceased’s original Aadhaar or Voter ID and a supporting affidavit.