Hub 2 · Get it done
Civic Services
Step-by-step guides to government paperwork in India: what to apply for, which documents you need, what it costs and how long it takes.
Choose a topic
Identity Documents
Aadhaar, PAN, passport and voter ID.
- Aadhaar address update
- PAN card correction
- Passport and police verification
Certificates
Birth, death, income, caste and domicile certificates.
- Birth certificate correction
- Income certificate
- Domicile certificate
Property Records
Registration, stamp duty, encumbrance and land records by state.
- Property registration
- Stamp duty
- Encumbrance certificate
Business Registrations
Udyam (MSME), FSSAI, GST and shop licence.
- Udyam registration
- FSSAI registration
- Shop & establishment licence
Latest civic-services guides
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Income certificate: how to apply online and what you need
A plain-English guide to the income certificate: who issues it, documents, applying online on e-District and state portals, timelines, validity, uses, and…
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Death certificate: how to register a death and get the certificate
A plain-English guide to the death certificate in India: who reports a death, the 21-day deadline, late registration rules (amended in 2023…
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Marriage registration: how to get your marriage certificate
A plain-English guide to marriage registration in India: which law applies, documents and witnesses, the online process, the Special Marriage Act notice,…
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Encumbrance certificate: what it shows and how to get it online
A plain-English guide to the encumbrance certificate (EC): what it shows, nil EC vs Form 15, how to apply online or at…
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Voter ID correction: how to fix your name, address or photo online
How to make a voter ID correction with Form 8: what you can change, the documents for each change, filing on voters.eci.gov.in…
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Gift deed registration: stamp duty, documents and the step-by-step process
A plain-English guide to gift deed registration in India: when it is compulsory, stamp duty and family concessions, documents, the Sub-Registrar visit,…
General information, not legal advice. Rules, fees and timelines change and can differ by state. Always check the official source linked in this guide, and speak to a qualified professional about your specific situation. Disclaimer
What civic services cover
Civic services are the everyday government services every citizen needs: identity documents, certificates, property records, information under the RTI Act and registrations for small businesses. Most civic services in India are now available online through central and state portals, but documents, fees and timelines differ by service and by state.
Civic services we explain step by step
- Identity documents: Aadhaar updates, PAN corrections, passports and voter ID.
- Certificates: birth, death, income, caste, domicile and legal heir certificates.
- Property records: mutation, land records and encumbrance certificates.
- RTI: filing applications and first appeals.
- Business registrations: Udyam, FSSAI, GST and shop and establishment registration.
Tips for faster civic services
- Use the official portal. Apply on the government website, not on look-alike sites that charge extra.
- Match your details. Names, dates of birth and addresses should match across documents.
- Keep the acknowledgement number. You need it to track your application or to file an RTI.
- Know the timeline. Many states have Right to Services laws that fix delivery times for civic services.
Start from the National Portal of India or the National Government Services Portal, and use the Document Library for affidavits and RTI formats.