The process for new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) applications has become increasingly complex following new requirements introduced by the Government of India regarding the verification and legalisation of foreign-issued documents.
Under the updated rules, all non-Indian Birth Certificates/ Marriage Certificates submitted for OCI applications must now be properly verified, certified, or apostilled by the relevant authorities before they are accepted.
Apostille Requirement Explained
For applicants whose documents were issued in countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention (1961), such documents must be apostilled by the competent authority in the issuing country.
For example, UK-issued birth certificates can be apostilled in the UK, as the country is a signatory to the convention. However, the UK can only apostille documents that were originally issued within the UK.
A full list of Hague Convention countries is available on the official website.
https://www.gsccca.org/notary-and-apostilles/apostilles/hague-apostille-country-list
Procedure for Non-Signatory Countries
For birth certificates issued in countries that are not signatories to the Hague Convention, such as the UAE, additional steps are required.
In such cases, documents must first be verified and legalised by the authorities in the issuing country. They must then be attested by the Indian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in that country, or by the relevant foreign mission in India.
Only after this process will the documents be accepted for OCI purposes.
Foreign Birth Certificates and Parentage-Based Applications
The Indian authorities have issued a specific update regarding foreign birth certificates used in parentage-based OCI applications.
If the birth certificate is issued in a Hague Convention country, it must be apostilled. If issued in a non-signatory country, it must undergo local verification followed by attestation from the Indian Mission in that country.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in delays / rejection or non-acceptance of applications.
Foreign Spouse Category: Mandatory Interview
Applicants applying under the “Foreign Spouse” category must now attend a mandatory personal interview.
The interview is conducted by the Indian Mission, Post, or FRRO at the time of document verification. Applications will only be acknowledged online after the interview and verification process are completed. Such appointments can be requested via:
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inf.london@mea.gov.in (London jurisdiction)
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oci.birmingham@mea.gov.in (Birmingham jurisdiction)
After the interview, applicants may submit their applications at a VFS centre on the same day, provided all documents are in order.
Officials have clarified that attending the interview does not guarantee approval, as each application will be assessed individually.
Marriage Certificate Guidelines
For spouse-based OCI applications, the following rules apply:
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Marriages registered in India must be supported by a Marriage Registrar’s certificate.
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Marriages registered abroad must be apostilled or certified by the relevant Indian Mission.
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Certificates in languages other than English must be officially translated.
Name Discrepancies Must Be Explained
Another important update concerns discrepancies in names across documents.
If an applicant’s name or a parent’s name appears differently in various records, an affidavit from a UK Notary Public is required. The affidavit must explain the reason for the variation and confirm that all documents relate to the same individual.
This rule applies even to minor spelling differences.
Advice to Applicants
With increasing scrutiny of documentation, applicants are advised to prepare well in advance and ensure that all papers meet current requirements. Seeking professional guidance may help avoid unnecessary delays and rejections.
The High Commission and VFS centres continue to encourage applicants to consult official guidelines before submission.
These new measures aim to strengthen document verification and enhance the integrity of the OCI system, while ensuring compliance with international standards.
If you require assistance with the OCI application process please contact Kerala Link. email: info@keralalink.co.uk Tel: 020 8502 1281
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