Dhaka Birth Certificate Problems – No Councillors, No Quick Services
March 30, 2026 9:34 pm
Obtaining a birth certificate in Dhaka has become increasingly challenging for many residents following recent administrative changes. The removal of all city corporation councillors has led to prolonged delays and added bureaucratic obstacles, making it difficult for citizens to secure this essential document.
Struggle for Urgent Birth Certificates
Mohammad Ziaul Haque, a private-sector employee, recently faced severe difficulties in obtaining birth certificates for his family members. When he first went to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Zonal Office in Mohammadpur, officials directed him to the Ward-27 Councillor’s Office in Farmgate—only for him to find the office closed.
His frustration deepened after he was given the ward secretary’s phone number, but repeated calls throughout the day went unanswered. “We urgently need the birth certificates for passport applications, but the whole process has become chaotic,” Ziaul said.
His experience was not an isolated one. On the same day, around 25 other people visited the office seeking various certificates, only to return without receiving any service.
Lack of Councillors and Service Delays
The absence of councillors has significantly undermined the efficiency of city corporation services. A staff member at the Ward-27 office acknowledged that the office remains closed for most of the time, with the secretary appearing only briefly and without a predictable schedule.
This issue extends beyond Ward-27. Similar complaints have been reported across both the Dhaka North and South City Corporations. The transition period following the removal of councillors on September 27 has caused serious disruptions to service delivery. Although ward secretaries are now responsible for issuing certificates, the process has become increasingly complex and time-consuming.
Increased Processing Time for Birth Certificates
Earlier, councillors could issue birth, citizenship, income, death, voter ID correction, and warisan (succession) certificates in less than an hour. With the introduction of new verification procedures, however, processing a birth certificate now takes three to five working days.
All certificates also require approval from the zonal office, further increasing delays. This added layer of bureaucracy has created a major bottleneck, causing serious difficulties for residents who need documents on an urgent basis.
Citizens Struggle Without Councillors
Many residents recall a time when they could approach their ward councillors directly to access essential services. Since the councillors’ removal, ward secretaries often unfamiliar with local residents—have been strictly enforcing bureaucratic procedures, making it increasingly difficult to obtain necessary documents.
One such case involved a woman in her mid-50s who recently struggled to secure a succession certificate from the Ward-16 office of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The ward secretary told her that consent from all heirs was mandatory; however, her elder brother, who had been out of contact for years, could not be reached. “If the councillor were still in charge, I wouldn’t have had to face this much hassle; he knew our family,” she said in frustration.
Bureaucratic Procedures and Increased Workload
Ward secretaries, including Md Badruzzaman of Ward-16 and Zahirul Islam of Ward-15, have acknowledged that the process has become more complex. Each application now must be sent to the zonal office for verification, which extends the processing time.
Since services resumed on October 9, secretaries have been inundated with applicants. On average, around 100 people visit each ward office daily to apply for birth certificates and other documents, resulting in significant delays.
Impact on Daily Life
The new process has caused considerable inconvenience for many residents, especially working professionals such as Mohammad Shajahan from Ward-15, who needs a birth certificate for his five-year-old daughter’s school admission.
“Earlier, I could get a birth certificate within an hour. Now, I have to wait five days. As someone with a full-time job, it’s tough to take multiple days off just to visit the office,” Shajahan said.
The situation is further complicated because ward secretaries do not remain after office hours, making it even harder for employed citizens to complete these formalities.
Steps Taken by City Corporations
In response to these rising concerns, Md Abu Naser, Public Relations Officer of DSCC, said the organization is working to streamline procedures at the ward level to enhance service delivery.
Nevertheless, these efforts have proven insufficient, and many residents still struggle to obtain essential documents.
Conclusion
The removal of city councillors has significantly disrupted the issuance of birth certificates in Dhaka, leaving residents facing long delays and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite attempts by city corporations to streamline ward-level procedures, the system remains inefficient and overburdened. For many citizens, particularly those needing documents urgently, obtaining essential certificates has become a stressful and time-consuming process, highlighting the need for more effective administrative reforms and accessible local services.
Raba Khan 
Hi, I’m Raba Khan. I created bdbirthcertificatecheck.com to help people easily check birth certificates online. I share simple, clear guides so anyone can understand the process and avoid confusion. My goal is to make official tasks easier for everyone.
