End to End Steps to Submit a Succesful Passport and OCI application for a newborn

Passport and OCI are two important documents that a newborn will need. The steps below will help you with the application process.

Passport for the newborn:

Documents needed:

•  Birth Certificate
• SSN (Not needed during application, however, US passport office will contact you back to know the SSN before issuing the passport)

Do not wait, as soon as you have the required documents apply for the US/Indian passport online, it is simple and needs less documentation.

How to Apply for Indian Passport: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html

How to Apply for US Passport: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html

Tip:

•       Find nearest post office which can do passport application, find out a post office that has photo machines, just to avoid photo rejections, take a photo in the post office itself instead of taking it elsewhere. You can consider Costco photo services for saving some bucks.
•       Carry checkbooks or cash, passport fee might not be payable by cash.
•       You can apply for a passport without SSN, however, be ready to receive a card from US  passport office to fill in the SSN.

OCI for a newborn if the child is a US citizen:

I strongly recommend visiting https://www.in.ckgs.us/oci/ for updated rules and documents needed. The steps and information below are for a typical case (US born kid for Indian born parents) as of 08/01/2018.

Basically, the OCI process is split into two, Part A and Part B.

Note: Never start Part A before starting with Part B. Begin with Part B and it will direct you to Part A at some point.

Part B – CKGS application you need to submit with the CKGS website https://www.in.ckgs.us/oci/

Basic steps:

0.      Fill up the questions on CKGS.
1.       Fill up the Additional particular form on CKGS.
2.       Fill up the Additional parental auth. form on CKGS.
3.       Have necessary documents and photo ready.
4.       Select the delivery method (Select the CKGS to pre-pay UPS/FedEx envelope) and Make payment to CKGS.
5.       Fill up forms on Ministry of External Affairs website. (Part B)
6.       Print out all forms and documents, arrange them in the specific order.
7.       Print out Web Reference and place it on the envelope.
8.       Send the documents to CKGS.

Fill up the questions on CKGS.

You will fill out a preliminary questioner to determine the documents needed and forms to be filled, It will look something like below.

Fill up the forms on CKGS.

Once the above step is completed, you will have to start filling forms online.

Step1: Fill Additional Particular Form online and save it (it is okay not to save as you will have all the filled forms to be printed at the end)

Step2: Fill Parental Authorization Form online, this form had to be notarized.

Notary public: Visit BOFA/ other banks or local clerk office.

Step 3: Photos and Documents

• Photo: Have 2 passport size photograph ready with baby eyes open. Do not use the same photo used for a passport.
• Documents Needed:
• Parents Marriage Certificate (Copy)
•  Birth Certificate of the baby (Original and Copy)
•  Legal Status Of Parents in the US (I797, Stamped Visa, etc - Copy)
• Proof Of Indian Origin (Copy of parents and grandparents passport)
•  Parents Current Passport (Copy of parents passport)
•  Proof of Address (Utility bill, lease agreement, etc. No credit card bills or bank statements)
• Current US Passport (Original and copy of baby’s passport)

Step 4: Select the delivery method and make the necessary payments

I recommend selecting pre-paid CKGS envelope for delivery as it is simple and easy. You don’t have to worry about hassles of weight and size of the package.

Make necessary payments as shown by CKGS.

Step 5: Fill OCI application form using the web reference number/ OCI number in the ministry of external affairs website

Part A – The application form you will have to submit with Government of India at https://ociservices.gov.in/

By this time, you must have been done with Part B and you should proceed with Part A. To fill OCI application form, you should have the following soft copies.

•         Current Valid Passport (Both the parents)
•          Photograph (a Same photograph that will be sent to CKGS physically)
•          Signature (thumb impression boys-left, girls-right 900X300px recommended, use MS paint to resize)
•          Proof of Indian Origin (copy of parents and grandparents passport)

Fill in the forms as needed and upload the soft copies, save the form in pdf after completion.

Step 6: Print out the following forms and documents, arrange them in the order mentioned below/. Or by CKGS.

Documents Needed:

01 Additional Particular Form (Form from step 1)

02 Parental Authorization Form (Notarized, Form from step 2)

03 Photograph (Form from step 3)

04 Parents Marriage Certificate (Form from step 3)

06 OCI Application Form (Form from step 4)

07 Birth Certificate (Original and copy, Form from step 3)

08 Legal Status of Parents in the US (Form from step 3)

10 Proof of Indian Origin (Form from step 3)

11 Parents Current Passport (Form from step 3)

12 Checklist (You can download and print it at the CKGS webpage after payments are made)

13 Affidavit In Lieu of Originals (Notarized)

14 Proof of Address (Form from step 3)

15 Current US Passport (Original and copy, Form from step 3)

Step 6: Print out Web Reference and place it on the envelope.

Be sure to print and place the web reference/ CKGS application number on the envelope

Step 7: Send the documents to CKGS.

      Upon sending them, you can check the status of the application at https://www.in.ckgs.us/trackandtrace/ by giving the OCI application number and passport number.
 CKGS will send back the passport and birth certificate (originals) after initial verification, so be sure to receive them back.
CKGS will contact you in case of queries, else they will send the OCI after it has been processed.

Good Luck!

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