🗞️ New Apostille Requirement for OCI Applicant's Birth Certificates Issued in the U.S.
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The Indian Mission to the United States introduced a new mandate requiring all birth certificates issued outside India, including the U.S. to be apostilled before being submitted with OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) applications. This update applies to applicants from December 30, 2024, onwards. You can see the official notification on consular support desk website.
Prior to this notification, applicants born in the USA did not need an apostille. Moving forward OCI applicants with birth certificates issued in the U.S., must now submit an apostilled birth certificate; otherwise, their application may be rejected or delayed.
What is Apostille?
Apostilles confirm the legitimacy of official documents for international use, eliminating the need for embassy-level legalization. The Hague Apostille Convention, ratified by India in 2005, simplifies this process but now it's mandatory for OCI applications involving foreign birth certificates Without it, your application could face delays or rejection.
Notarization or attestation is different from Apostille.
What Applicants Should Do?
Check your birth certificate origins. If born outside India (e.g., USA, Canada, UK), your birth certificate needs apostille.
Obtain the apostille from the issuing jurisdiction’s designated authority in advance don’t leave it for later.
Verify document completeness: the certificate must show parents’ names, date/place of birth, nationality, and the official seal .
Keep an eye on timelines apostille processing times vary and consulates may issue additional document requests with tight deadlines.
Exceptions & Notes
For countries not part of the Hague Convention, applicants must still pursue full embassy legalization.
For documents already apostilled by another Hague member, no extra attestation is needed by any Indian authority
Minor applicants require apostilled birth certificates, and if marriage certificates are foreign-issued, those may need apostille too
Where to Apostille Birth Certificate(s) in the U.S.?
You can check these links below to get exact details of apostille authorities in each state in the U.S.
How can we help you?
We assist with OCI applications for minor born in the U.S. and OCI reissuance in case of requirements based on age or loss of OCI. We can guide applicants with the apostille of birth certificates issued in the U.S.