Surrender certificate rules when Indian passport was already cancelled in past

[immihelp]

If the Indian passport was already cancelled several years ago as part of the OCI application, does that person now require the surrender certificate, and if so, does he have to pay the $175 fee?

In such scenario, Indian Consulate in San Francisco (per their web site) says that they will not issue the surrender certificate to such person. (Few days ago, they said they would issue surrender certificate at no cost. They changed the rule now.)

However, Indian Consulate in New York (per email conversation with them) says that such people still need to apply for surrender certificate and pay $175. The question is why they need to apply and in what circumstances? If they ask for surrender certificate to get any future service from them, I understand (no matter how ridiculous it is). However, if the person has already got lifetime OCI and his Indian passport is already cancelled, why do such people need to get surrender certificate and pay $175 for it? If people don't get it in this case, how are they going to enforce this? I asked whether such person can still travel to India. The reply was "yes, you can still travel for now, but you should get the surrender certificate immediately upon your return".

If I don't get the surrender certificate at all if I already have India visa/PIO/OCI and don't need any Consulate service for now, how are they going to enforce? Are they going bother us at the airport in India? But even in that case, for example, are officers at Mumbai airport going to apply different rules based on whether you are flying from New York or San Francisco? (NY is asking to apply but San Francisco will not issue one.)

These rules simply don't make sense.

Those who are immediately traveling should, at the least, carry their cancelled Indian passport just in case. And as soon as you travel, please report your experiences so that others can know what is going on.

[deepi78]

i would like to know this as well please.

I am hearing different things from different people. i live in LA , so I need to know what do I need to do in order to travel safely to India and not being bothered by any non sense .I became US citizen in Sep 2009 and have the stamp Passport cancelled on front and back pages of my Indian passport.

Please suggest.

Thanks.

If the Indian passport was already cancelled several years ago as part of the OCI application, does that person now require the surrender certificate, and if so, does he have to pay the $175 fee?

In such scenario, Indian Consulate in San Francisco (per their web site) says that they will not issue the surrender certificate to such person. (Few days ago, they said they would issue surrender certificate at no cost. They changed the rule now.)

However, Indian Consulate in New York (per email conversation with them) says that such people still need to apply for surrender certificate and pay $175. The question is why they need to apply and in what circumstances? If they ask for surrender certificate to get any future service from them, I understand (no matter how ridiculous it is). However, if the person has already got lifetime OCI and his Indian passport is already cancelled, why do such people need to get surrender certificate and pay $175 for it? If people don't get it in this case, how are they going to enforce this? I asked whether such person can still travel to India. The reply was "yes, you can still travel for now, but you should get the surrender certificate immediately upon your return".

If I don't get the surrender certificate at all if I already have India visa/PIO/OCI and don't need any Consulate service for now, how are they going to enforce? Are they going bother us at the airport in India? But even in that case, for example, are officers at Mumbai airport going to apply different rules based on whether you are flying from New York or San Francisco? (NY is asking to apply but San Francisco will not issue one.)

These rules simply don't make sense.

Those who are immediately traveling should, at the least, carry their cancelled Indian passport just in case. And as soon as you travel, please report your experiences so that others can know what is going on.

[talanki]

We were in same situtation as Immihelp stated. We got US passport and OCI with cancelled stamp on Indian Passport. Travelled twice to India with US Passport along with cancelled Indian passport. No issues at all.

So please carry US and Cancelled Indian passport and you should eb good.

As per my knowledge surrender certificate introduced recently (not exist 2 yrs back when I applied for OCI) and its required only for new people who are applying for OCI.

So I dont understand why surrender certificate require when you have life time OCI and cancelled indian passport other than consulate makes money out of it?

[viksvivaan]

Cancellation of Indian passport & Surrender Certificate

Recently the OCI application for my newborn son was rejected stating that Fathers Indian passport needs to be cancelled. I acquired US citizenship in August 2009 and OCI in November 2009. At the time of getting my OCI card, my Indian passport was cancelled and returned.

I have gone ahead and applied to CGI New York for a surrender certificate and have sent my cancelled Indian passport. Dont want to take any chances. I think what is said is that you either need a cancelled Indian passport or a renunciation certificate. In my case, my passport was cancelled and we still ran into issues for my sons OCI application. I will post once I find out about my surrender certificate.

Vivek

[mehulvora75]

Surrender Certificate from SFO

Recently I applied for Surrender Certificate ( in Aug 2010) and also applied for Entry visa ( for a emergency) both at the same time in person at SFO
They cancelled my Indian passport and stamped an Entry visa on my US passport

When I questioned them (at a later date via an email), why I did not get a physical copy of Surrender certificate, they replied the following

Question
My last held Indian Passport was cancelled when I had applied for VISA/OCI/PIO do I need to get a surrender certificate?

Answer
No, If the Indian passport was officially stamped by the Consulate or any authorized Indian Mission with "PASSPORT CANCELED AS ACQUIRED U.S. NATIONALITY" there is no need for a Surrender Certificate.

Hope this helps

[talanki]

vivek, have you paid any money when you applied for cerificate?

Consulate itself not clear and consufing us.

[viksvivaan]

Surrender Certificate Rules

I applied at CGI New York and submitted $20 towards the surrender certificate. I havent recieved this as yet. The rules are conflicting for the different consulates I guess
Vivek

[talanki]

Thx when did you applied? Even I got OCI more than a year back and thinking to apply for certificate to be safe at SFO.

[viksvivaan]

Cancelled Indian Passport and Surrender Certificate

I applied for a surrender certificate at CGI New York on January 19, 2011. My passport was already cancelled in 2009 but I still went ahead to get the surrender certificate. The surrender certificate along with the cancelled passport arrived in the mail today. I paid $20 for the surrender certificate since I got US citizenship before June 1, 2010.

Vivek

[talanki]

Thx Vivek for the update. I need to apply for two. Do I need to take two $20 money orders or 1 with $40 works?

[drmehta100]

What happens if I already got OCI and my Indian passport didn't stamp as cancelled

What happens if I already got OCI in 2007 and my Indian passport is without "cancelled" stamp? Do I still need to pay $175 or $250 as penalty..?

[drmehta100]

What happens if I already got OCI and my Indian passport didn't stamp as cancelled

What happens if I already got OCI in 2007 and my Indian passport is without "cancelled" stamp? Do I still need to pay $175 or $250 as penalty..?

[talanki]

As per travisa website:
"After acquisition of foreign citizenship, an Indian passport cannot be used for travel after three months of the naturalization date. If the Indian passport expires on or after Jan 1, 2005, and the Indian passport is not surrendered beyond three years after the naturalization date, a penalty of $250.00 will be charged."

[mals]

Help on renunciation application

I applied for a surrender certificate at CGI New York on January 19, 2011. My passport was already cancelled in 2009 but I still went ahead to get the surrender certificate. The surrender certificate along with the cancelled passport arrived in the mail today. I paid $20 for the surrender certificate since I got US citizenship before June 1, 2010.

Vivek

Vivek bro,

I had couple questions on the renunciatation application process.

1. Do spouse and self need to send in two separate applications?

2. What should be the amount for the prepaid shipping label that needs to be enclosed?

Appreciate your help

[coolcar]

Travisa NY wants Renunciation while OCI transfer. Have Cancelled Passports from 2006

Recently the OCI application for my newborn son was rejected stating that Fathers Indian passport needs to be cancelled. I acquired US citizenship in August 2009 and OCI in November 2009. At the time of getting my OCI card, my Indian passport was cancelled and returned.

I have gone ahead and applied to CGI New York for a surrender certificate and have sent my cancelled Indian passport. Dont want to take any chances. I think what is said is that you either need a cancelled Indian passport or a renunciation certificate. In my case, my passport was cancelled and we still ran into issues for my sons OCI application. I will post once I find out about my surrender certificate.

Vivek

Looks like Vivek has set a precidence.

The publicity which was done last year by Indian Embassies about new rules on renunciation said :
***
guidelines are as follows:

(i) For those who acquired foreign citizenship on or before 31 May, 2010 and had got their Indian passports cancelled on acquisition of foreign citizenship, no further action is required.

****

In our case myself and husband have OCI issued in 2006 with cancelled passports.

Sent for OCI transfer to new passport for minor to Travisa New York.

Now they are asking for Renunciation certificate ! The kid never had a Indian Passport so wonder how we can supply this document.

If they are asking for my certificate then we have already cancelled the passports long time ago and we also sent them the photocopies of parents passports and their birth certificates they asked for after a month.


Wonder if it was a mistake applying for the Miscellaneous service !

The minor could have travelled with Old Passports with U Visa and New Passports and Old Certificate !!