OCI documents checklist
OCI documents checklist: what you need for an OCI card application
There is no single OCI documents list — the documents required for an OCI application change with your case. Below is the general checklist by applicant type, drawn from the official VFS Global checklists for the USA. Your personal list can differ (divorce, single parenthood, a lost passport, or a name change all change it), which is exactly what the OCI Guide interview works out for you.
Every applicant needs
- The printed OCI application form, filled online and signed
- Current foreign passport (copy; original shown or sent as VFS directs)
- Proof of Indian origin
- US address proof (driver's license, utility bill, or lease)
- A 2 × 2 inch photo on a white background, plus a signature upload (thumb impression for babies)
- VFS payment confirmation
Former Indian citizens (adults)
- US passport copy
- Naturalization certificate copy
- Surrender certificate, or the cancelled Indian passport with the surrender stamp
- Proof of Indian origin (old Indian passport, or a parent's documents)
- US address proof
- Photo and signature files meeting the portal specs
Minors, including babies born in the USA
- Child's birth certificate — apostilled by the state of birth
- Child's US passport copy
- Both parents' passport copies
- Parents' marriage certificate
- Parents' US legal status documents
- Proof of Indian origin (a parent's Indian passport or OCI card)
- US address proof
- Parental authorization form, signed by both parents and notarized
- Child's photo, and a thumb impression if the child cannot sign
Special cases change this list: divorced parents provide the custody order, and joint custody adds a notarized consent letter from both parents; single parents sign a statement explaining why no marriage certificate exists.
Spouses of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders
- Marriage certificate — registered and apostilled
- Spouse's Indian passport or OCI card copy
- Your current passport copy
- US address proof
- Photo and signature files meeting the portal specs
Apostille, notarization, and self-attestation
Three different treatments apply to different documents, and mixing them up is a common rejection reason. US-issued civil documents (birth and marriage certificates) need a state apostille. Forms the consulate requires both parents or the applicant to swear to — parental authorization, consent letters — need notarization. Plain copies are self-attested: sign and date each copy yourself.
Get the checklist for your exact case
Answer a few questions and OCI Guide generates your personal OCI documents checklist in the right order, each item tagged self-attest, notarize, or apostille, with state-by-state apostille instructions and prefilled forms for the items that need them. Free during launch.
This page is a general guide, not the official list for your case. OCI Guide is not affiliated with the Government of India, VFS Global, or BLS International. See also: how to apply for an OCI card, step by step.