Father’s Name Cannot Be Changed in Birth Certificate Without Court Order & DNA Evidence

The Kerala High Court held that a Registrar cannot change a child's paternity details in the birth certificate without a court order or a DNA test.

The petitioner’s name was replaced by his ex-wife’s lover's in their child’s birth record by the Payyanur Municipality without notice.

Justice C.S. Dias emphasised that under Section 112 of the Indian Evidence Act, a child born during a valid marriage is conclusively presumed legitimate unless proven otherwise.

Citing Section 15 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, the Court ruled that disputed paternity requires judicial adjudication. The revised certificate was quashed, and a hearing was ordered. [AA v State of Kerala and Ors]