Hack of the day: How to download your birth or marriage certificate online

'The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day' — a new weekday-series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach — from government websites to everyday apps. In simple words it is: Simple fixes for smarter living.Gone are the days of standing in long queues at municipal offices to get your birth or marriage certificate. With India’s push toward digital governance, most states now allow you to download these vital documents online in just a few minutes. This hack saves time, reduces paperwork, and ensures you always have a certified digital copy at hand.Step 1: Visit the official portal* For Birth Certificates: Head to your state’s municipal corporation website or the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal: https://crsorgi.gov.in.* For Marriage Certificates: Visit your state’s marriage registration portal (many are integrated with municipal websites).Step 2: Enter key detailsYou’ll need:* Registration number (if available)* Name of applicant(s)* Date of birth or marriage* Place of registration (hospital, municipal ward, registrar office)Step 3: Authenticate yourself* Most portals require Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification.* Some states also allow login via DigiLocker, where certificates are automatically fetched if linked.Step 4: Download the certificate* Once verified, you can download the certificate in PDF format.* Many portals also allow you to request a digitally signed copy, which is legally valid across India.Step 5: Track status (If not yet issued)If your certificate isn’t ready, you can:* Track application status via the portal using your reference number.* Receive SMS/email updates once the certificate is processed.