Birth Certificate of Indian spouse

[ljewell]

I am a US citizen by birth, married to Indian citizen four years ago. I want to apply for OCI card, but can't figure out this required document:
PROOF OF INDIAN ORIGIN OF INDIAN ORIGIN SPOUSE My husband lives in India and has a passport, which mentions his birth place, birth date, parents name already. My husband never had a birth certificate as he was born in a small village in Himachal Pradesh 45 years ago during the time his family lived there for a short time. Now his family is back in South India for more than 35 years ago. They don't know anybody in Himachal or any record of birth, other than what is mentioned in his passport already... He does have Aadhar, Voter ID, driving licence, property records (he owns lands, buildings, business)... How can I prove that my husband is of Indian origin...
Thanks ????

[arkaa]

Download the document checklist for new OCI applications -
https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/...-for-adult.pdf
Go to page 6 and see the documents required for those applying for OCI on basis of Spouse.

For proof of your husband's Indian origin, all you need is a copy of his Indian passport. Also, Voter Card is accepted as proof of Indian Origin too. You can include a copy of that also, just to be doubly sure. But make sure his name is exactly the same on all documents you submit - passport, voter card, marriage certificate etc. If there are any differences (like spelling variations of missing middle name etc) get those sorted out first. The consulate is very picky in that regard.

For proving relationship, you need a copy of your marriage certificate and yourbirth certificate only. Your husband's birth certificate is not needed as he has an Indian passport.

Edit: On the off chance that they insist on a copy of his birth certificate, it is quite easy to get one in India as it was not a common practice to register births & deaths certificates till late 80s. First check what is mentioned as his birth place on his passport. Most of the time the passport office skips the name of small villages and instead lists either the nearest town or the district HQ as the place of birth. (For me, they mentioned the district HQ).

Then your husband or someone has to take the trouble and visit the place for 2 or 3 days. Go to the local registrar office and file an affidavit for registering the birth - they do it for a small fee. Once the birth is registered, you can apply for and get as many copies of birth certificate as you need. The actual process and time might wary from place to place.

I was in a similar situation when I was applying for my Green Card. Didn't have a birth certificate, so one of my uncles went to the district HQ and did the above. They wanted two people to sign the affidavit, so my uncle had one of his friends sign it. Then they issued three copies of my birth certificate on the same evening.