Municipal services, explained before you queue
Birth and death certificates, building permission, water and drainage connections, trade licences and fire NOCs — what each one is, what it asks for, and how long the law allows for it.
This is an independent reference site. It does not accept applications and is not run by, or affiliated with, any municipal corporation or government body.
Services
Seventeen of the services most often notified under Right to Service rules by urban local bodies.
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Advertisement & hoarding licence
Permission to install and run hoardings, signboards and other outdoor advertising.
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Birth registration
Registration of a birth and issue of a birth certificate.
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Death registration
Registration of a death and issue of a death certificate.
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Marriage registration
Registration of a marriage and issue of a marriage certificate.
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No dues certificate
Confirmation that no municipal dues remain outstanding on a property.
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Varasa hakk (succession) registration
Recording of heirs on a property after the death of the owner.
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Property transfer registration
Transfer of a property record from one owner to another.
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Zone certificate
Statement of the land-use zone a plot falls under in the development plan.
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Ward map certificate
Certified extract of the ward map showing the plot boundaries.
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Plinth (jote) certificate
Certificate confirming that the plinth of a building has been checked.
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Building permission
Sanction to start construction or reconstruction on a plot.
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Occupancy certificate
Certificate that a completed building is fit for occupation.
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Water connection
New domestic or commercial water supply connection.
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Drainage connection certificate
Permission to connect a property to the municipal drainage network.
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Property card registration
Entry of a property into the municipal property tax register.
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Fire NOC
No-objection certificate from the fire service for a building or premises.
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Fire NOC renewal
Renewal of an existing fire no-objection certificate.
How an application works
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Check what you need
Every service has its own list of documents and its own fee. Read the service card before you start collecting papers.
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Collect the documents
Originals plus one set of self-attested copies. Missing paperwork is the single most common reason an application is sent back.
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Submit the application
Applications are accepted at the citizen facilitation centre of the local body, or through its own online portal where one is available.
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Track the deadline
Each service is notified with a maximum number of working days. If that deadline passes, an appeal lies with the designated appellate officer.
What the deadlines mean
Working days, not calendar days
The clock counts working days from the day a complete application is accepted. Sundays, public holidays and the day of submission itself are normally excluded.
The clock starts on a complete file
If a document is missing, the application is returned and the count begins again when it is resubmitted. Check the document list before filing, not after.
Two levels of appeal
A first appeal goes to the designated first appellate officer, and a second appeal above that. Both have their own time limits, usually 30 days from the cause of appeal.
Refusals must be in writing
A service can be refused, but the reason has to be recorded and communicated. A written refusal is what an appeal is filed against.
Questions people ask
What is the Right to Service?
Right to Service laws oblige a public authority to deliver a notified service within a fixed number of working days, and give the applicant a route of appeal if it does not.
How long does a service take?
The time limit is fixed separately for each notified service — typically between 3 and 45 working days. The exact figure is published by the local body together with the service notification.
What happens if the deadline is missed?
The applicant may file a first appeal with the designated appellate officer, and a second appeal above that. Penalties on the responsible officer are provided for in most state acts.
Does this site accept applications?
No. This site explains what each service is and what it usually requires. Applications are filed with the local body that provides the service.