How to get an Apostille for OCI Purpose
OCI full form is (Overseas Citizen of India), its a card issued by the Indian government to the Indian diaspora. OCI helps the card holder to enter and exit India without holding a visa.
Why Do We Need an Apostille for OCI Process ?
Apostille is a type of legalization process which makes documents acceptable in foreign countries. Apostille is done to documents which need to be utilized in foreign countries.
If your document has apostille it means
- Your Documents are genuine
- Your Documents are issued by competent authority.
- Contents of the documents are correct
The apostille helps the foreign country to accept documents without any suspicion of fraud.
Depending on the category you are applying under for OCI, You need different documents that need legalize.
Start Apostille process for your documents by registering below
Apostille Application
Step 1 - Provide applicant details
Eligibility Criteria for OCI
If you are applying for OCI ( overseas citizen of India) see that you fall under any of these categories only then you will be eligible to apply for OCI.
A foreign national, who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 his/her children and grandchildren, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
If your parents or grandparents were born in india as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935
Spouse of OCI eligible candidate. Whose marriage is registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years.
If either of your parents hold OCI, and if you have a valid birth certificate to prove parent child relation.
If your parents, Grandparents, great grandparents are or had been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh or any other such country mentioned by the Government of India, you are not eligible to apply for OCI.
Document apostille requirement for OCI Purpose
If you are applying on the basis of parents or grandparents you need to get a Apostille birth certificate for OCI application.
If your spouse is foreign citizen He / She needs an Apostille Marriage Certificate for OCI application.
Apostille Should be done in the country where the original document was issued, Not in India. The Indian Government will not give Apostille for foreign issued documents.
OCI Application Process
OCI Application process varies depending on where you are applying for the OCI
- OCI Application in INDIA
- OCI Application Outside India
OCI Application in India
OCI Application should be submitted to FRRO (The Foreigners Registration Office ) in india
Apostille is mandatory for the proof of relationship
apostille birth certificate for oci card, apostille marriage certificate oci Etc
Hospital issued birth certificates will not be accepted.
There are 12 FRRO Office in India
FRRO Ahmedabad
FRRO Amritsar
FRRO Bangalore
FRRO Calicut
FRRO Chennai
FRRO Cochin
FRRO Delhi
FRRO Hyderabad
FRRO Kolkata
FRRO Lucknow
FRRO Mumbai
FRRO Trivandrum
You can apply for OCI in the FRRO office near you.
OCI Application Outside India
If you are applying for OCI outside India you need to apply either in the Indian Embassy or in VFS Centers. Check before applying.
If you are applying on the basis of birth you need to submit a birth certificate, if the birth certificate is outside the country you are applying the OCI then Apostille in Mandatory. Hospital Issued Birth Certificate will not be accepted.
FAQs
How can I get an apostille from India?
Apostille for OCI is needed on a Birth certificate or on a Marriage Certificate, depending on how you are applying.
You can get apostille by registering for Apostille Service
Do you need an apostille for India?
Yes if you are using any India documents outside India then the Apostille is mandatory.
Apostille is Process of legalising any Indian documents for use in foreign country.
What is meant by OCI application?
OCI means Overseas Citizen of India, who ever has OCI card will be eligible to enter and exit India without a VISA. This is extended to Indian DIaspora only.
Who is eligible for an OCI card?
There are some criterias for obtaining an OCI. The Indian government has laid out some rules and regulations on who can obtain an OCI.
You can apply
If your parents or grandparents are of indian origin
If your Spouse is an Indian citizen or holds OCI.
If you are eligible for indian citizenship
Refer to indian Government website for further details
Register For Apostille
Provide applicant details
Frequently asked questions
During application for OCI, You need to submit an apostille birth certificate for OCI card, Apostille marriage certificate for OCI card etc.this is the meaning of an OCI Apostille.
If you are applying for OCI outside india then the total amount payable through Demand draft is 275$. If you are applying for OCI in India the total payable amount through demand draft is 15,000 ₹.
How long is Indian OCI valid for?
OCI is valid lifelong
You can apply for OCI at the FRRO office near you. There are totally 12 FRRO offices across India you can apply in any one of them.
Ministry of External Affairs Attestation ( Apostille ) can be done in 2 ways.
- State Authentication / Attestation,
- Sub Divisional Magistrate ( SDM ) Attestation / Authentication.
State Attestation Process takes longer time compared to SDM attestation. It’s better to do SDM Apostille since it is fast.
If you are travelling to Italy or Austria, then state attestation is required. For all the other Hague nations SDM Apostille is enough, legal, valid and accepted.
Procedure to get Apostille on your Documents:
- Register for Apostille
- Submit the documents with us.
- Pay for the Apostille
- Receive documents after Apostille to your Address.