OCI Card Application Documents 

This post explores the supporting documents needed for an OCI Card application and their significance in the application process. 

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is a lifelong travel document that allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to travel, work and stay in India. To apply for the OCI card, supporting documents are required to verify the applicant’s identity, establish Indian origin, and ensure eligibility. As an OCI applicant, you must provide all the required documents for a successful application. Also, ensure you follow the guidelines for submitting the documents to avoid delays or rejections in the application process. 

The documents required for your OCI application will depend on your circumstances. These may include the following:

Evidence of identity and address

These documents are essential to establish your identity and may include the following:

• Current and valid non-Indian Passport 
• Valid UK resident visa for non-UK passport holders
• Naturalisation Certificate, if applicable
• Applicants holding dual Nationality are required to provide copy and upload their current passport of Both Nationalities
• Registered marriage certificate (if married) or Indian passport copy that specifies spouse name along with a copy of spouse’s current passport
• Proof of current or previous employment, proof of business or Student ID (whichever applies)
• Address proof, this will include a recent utility bill or driver’s license 

Evidence of Indian origin

Applicants may provide the documents listed below, depending on where they were born and how they establish their Indian origin:

The applicant was born in India

Applicants born in India can prove their Indian origin with either of the following documents:

• Birth Certificate
• Indian passport surrender certificate and copy of Indian passport (first and last page)
• Nativity certificate or domicile certificate 
• School Leaving Certificate 

The applicant was born in India but never held an Indian passport

Applicants born in India but never held an Indian passport would have travelled on their parent’s passports. Such applicants must include the following documents:

• Birth certificate indicating names of parents
• Evidence of an Indian visa issued after birth in India and exit stamps on the passport when first left India, or
• Notary affidavit in original from the UK stating the fact and how the applicant travelled to the UK, or 
• If born in India between 26 January 1950 to 30 June 1987: 
  • Birth Certificate issued by Indian Government, or
  • School Educational Certificate 
• Proof of Indian Origin of Applicant’s Parents or Grand Parents or Great Grand Parents (such as Indian passport or domicile certificate):
  • Being a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution, i.e. 26 January 1950, or
  • Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution, i.e. 26 January 1950, or 
  • Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15 August 1947.

The applicant was born outside India and never held an Indian passport

Applicants born outside India and eligible for an OCI as their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were born in India may use the following documents:

• Birth certificate indicating names of parents. Non-Indian-issued post-dated birth certificates (such as re-issued certificates or true copies) should be duly apostilled by the concerned foreign office or embassy.
• If applying based on grandparents or great-grandparents, provide documents (birth certificates or equivalent) to verify the relationship between the applicant and grandparents or great-grandparents
• Proof of Indian origin of the applicant’s parents, grandparents or great-grandparents (such as an Indian passport or domicile certificate):
  • Being a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution, i.e. 26 January 1950, or
  • Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution, i.e. 26 January 1950, or 
  • Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15 August 1947.

The applicant’s spouse was born in India

Individuals married to Indian nationals may apply for an OCI card after being married for at least two years. Such applicants should be aware that if they are eligible for OCI based on their own, parents’ or grandparents’ Indian origin are advised not to apply under this category. If you are applying under the foreign spouse category, you and your spouse must visit the visa application centre to submit your application along with all the required original documents. To apply for an OCI based on your spouse, you will need the following supporting documents:

• Applicant’s birth certificate confirming names of both parents
• Registered marriage certificate. The concerned foreign office or embassy should duly apostille foreign-issued marriage certificates
• Current passport of the spouse
• Copy of the Indian Passport or OCI card (first and last pages) of the applicant’s spouse
• Duly filled consent form. 

Applications for minor children

• All the mandatory documents and documents under the relevant sections as described above
• Current passport copies of both parents 
• Registered marriage certificate of parents, or 
• If the parents are divorced, then a court order of dissolution of marriage and a child arrangement order, which specifically mentions that the legal custody of the child is with the parent who is applying for the OCI card and that parent can take the child out of the UK for any number of days, or  
• If both parents share joint custody of the child, a duly notarised consent letter from both parents to apply for OCI for the child, or
• Joint consent affidavit (notarised) by parents if they are unmarried partners.

Printed application form 

To initiate an OCI application, complete an online form provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. While filling out the form, choosing the correct Mission and OCI service is essential as entering complete and accurate information without errors. Once the form is complete, you should print and sign a hard copy of the application form.

Two photographs 

Photos should be square, not less than 51 X 51 mm (with 70-80% face coverage). The photographs should have a plain light colour background (not white) without the border with a front view of the person’s head and shoulders, showing the full face in the middle of the photograph. Applicants must ensure their photographs meet the specifications. 

Appointment confirmation letter

After submitting the online application, applicants can book their appointment with the visa centre. The next step will be to book an appointment at the designated visa centre to submit the application. For each application, applicants must supply an appointment confirmation letter.

How to submit OCI Card supporting documents?

As per the application process, applicants must complete the online application and upload clear copies of their supporting OCI documents to the online portal. Many applications are rejected due to the poor quality of uploaded photos and signatures. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that high-quality photos and signatures are uploaded. Applications may also be rejected if all the required supporting documents are not uploaded online. These documents must be in English, or translated copies will be necessary.

At the time of appointment, applicants must submit photocopies and originals of the supporting documents, with all photocopies being self-attested. Both sets of documents are required to be submitted at the visa centre.

How can we help?

Our professional team is highly experienced in OCI Card applications; for assistance with your OCI card application, contact us at 0208 757 5751 or use our contact form.

Frequently asked questions