Change in Procedure for Power of Attorney and Consular Services at HCI London |

The High Commission of India (HCI), London, has introduced a new procedure for the application and execution of Power of Attorney (PoA) and certain consular services relating to civil, property, and financial matters in India.

Under the revised system, applicants must now submit their applications through the official Government of India eSewa portal:
https://indianconsularservices.mea.gov.in/consularServices

All required documents are to be uploaded online. Once the HCI has verified and approved the documents, applicants can book an appointment to submit the application in person.

At present, this new process applies only to applicants under the London mission’s catchment area. The Consulates in Birmingham and Edinburgh continue to follow the previous process, where applicants book an appointment first and present the required documents in person.

For execution of PoA/Affidavit(s) relating to civil, property, or financial matters:

The applicant (executant) must visit the High Commission in person.
The documents must be signed before the Consular Officer.
Such documents are attested by the High Commission only if they are to be used before authorities in India.
The PoA/Affidavit can be executed either on plain paper or stamp paper, depending on the applicant’s requirement or legal advice.

It may be noted that the PoA service is one of the most commonly used services by the Indian community, especially for buying and selling property in India.

Miscellaneous Consular Services Affected by the Change

The following services, provided directly by the High Commission of India, London, now fall under the revised process:

Execution of Power of Attorney (PoA) for civil, property, or financial matters.
Execution of Will / Gift Deed.
Attestation / Execution of Affidavit or Court Document.
Issuance of Life Certificate for pension or other purposes (including PoA/LIC).
No Objection Certificate (NOC) for transportation of mortal remains of an Indian national or an OCI card holder.
Registration of death of an Indian national in the UK.
Sworn Affidavit for issue of passport to a minor child residing in India.
Re-issuance of International Driving Permit (IDP).
Solemnization of marriage under the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969.
No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) – Stage I and Stage III.