A wrong date of birth causes problems for years: in school certificates, Aadhaar, passports, jobs and pensions. The Maharashtra Government Gazette offers a “change in date of birth” notification, and many people assume it will fix everything. It usually will not, on its own. This guide explains what the gazette does and what actually corrects a date of birth.
What the gazette does, and does not do
- A gazette notification is a public declaration of your correct date of birth, supported by your documents.
- It does not alter the official register of births, your school or board records, or other government databases.
- Most authorities treat the birth certificate (from the registrar of births) and, for older people, school records as the primary proof of date of birth.
Which document decides your date of birth?
| Record | Usually relies on |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | The register of births maintained by the local registrar |
| School and SSC/HSC records | The school’s admission records and board rules, which allow corrections only in limited circumstances |
| Aadhaar | Supporting documents such as a birth certificate; larger changes have stricter requirements |
| Passport | A birth certificate or other prescribed proof of date of birth |
| Government service records | The date recorded at entry into service, which is very hard to change later |
Routes that work
- Correct the birth register: apply to the registrar of births where the birth was registered, with proof such as hospital records, for correction of an entry made wrongly. See delayed birth registration and corrections.
- Register a birth that was never registered: delayed registration follows its own procedure.
- School and board records: apply through the school to the board under its correction rules, usually with the corrected birth certificate.
- Court route: where authorities refuse and the evidence is strong, a declaration from a civil court may be needed.
- Then the gazette can serve as an additional public record, if an authority asks for it.
Be careful
- Changing a date of birth to gain an advantage, such as extending service or qualifying for a benefit, can amount to fraud and lead to prosecution.
- Courts are wary of late attempts to change dates of birth, especially near retirement.
- Keep the oldest genuine records you have: hospital discharge papers, birth registration extracts and early school records.
Frequently asked questions
Will a gazette notification change my date of birth in Aadhaar?
Not by itself. Aadhaar generally relies on a birth certificate or other prescribed proof for date of birth changes.
My SSC certificate has the wrong date. Can I change it now?
Boards allow corrections only in limited situations, often with time limits. Apply through the school with the birth certificate, and take advice if refused.
Is the DGPS date of birth service useless then?
No. It is a useful supporting document once your primary records are correct, and some authorities ask for it.
See also: gazette services and gazette fees and time.
Consultations are by appointment. To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.
This guide describes general law and procedure as understood in October 2026. It is not legal advice; each authority has its own rules on date of birth changes.