Section 17:
Search of births and deaths register
(1) Subject to any rules made in this behalf by the State
Government, including rules relating to the payment of fees and postal charges, any person may
(a) cause a search to be made by the Registrar for any entry in a register of births and deaths; and
(b) obtain an extract from such register relating to any birth or death:
Provided that no extract relating to any death, issued to any person, shall disclose the particulars
regarding the cause of death as entered in the register.
(2) All extracts given under this section shall be certified by the Registrar or any other officer
authorised by the State Government to give such extracts as provided in section 76 of the Indian Evidence
Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), and shall be admissible in evidence for the purpose of proving the birth or death to
which the entry relates.