Kerala Cabinet approves Nativity Card Bill to provide permanent proof of state origin

The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Kerala Nativity Card Bill, which empowers the state government to issue Nativity Cards that will serve as an authoritative document for availing government services and fulfilling other social requirements.

The Nativity Card will be based on the existing Nativity Certificate issued by the state government to certify that a person is a native of Kerala.

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As per the Bill, a native of Kerala is defined as a person born in the state who has not acquired foreign citizenship, or a person whose parent or ancestor was born in Kerala and has not taken foreign citizenship.

Alternatively, one of the applicant’s ancestors must have been born in Kerala, and the applicant must not hold foreign citizenship.

Those who have already acquired foreign citizenship will not be eligible for the card. Furthermore, the Nativity Card will become void if the holder acquires foreign citizenship after it has been issued.

Individuals born outside Kerala, who have not acquired foreign citizenship, due to their parents’ or ancestors’ employment or livelihood-related reasons will also be considered natives.

The Tahsildar will be the competent authority to issue the Nativity Card, while a register of issued cards will be maintained at the respective village office. Applicants will be required to submit the prescribed application along with supporting documents and the stipulated fee.

Earlier, in December 2025, the Kerala Cabinet approved the introduction of a permanent, legally backed Nativity Card with a photograph, replacing the existing system of repeatedly issuing nativity certificates, with the aim of ending the hardships faced by citizens in proving their origin and residence.