1. Under Indian law, Persons of Indian Origin, who have acquired foreign citizenship, are required to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Mission/Post immediately after acquisition of foreign citizenship.

2. The Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, does not provide for dual citizenship. Holding Indian passport/acquiring Indian passport/ travelling on Indian passport after acquisition of foreign citizenship constitutes an offence under the Indian Passport Act, 1967, and attracts penalties.

3. In view of these provisions, Persons of Indian Origin, intending to apply for OCI Cards, should first complete the process of surrender of their Indian passports and then apply for these services.

4. Persons of Indian Origin applying for Indian visa for the first time after acquiring foreign nationality are required to first renounce/ surrender their Indian passports.

Procedure for applying for Renunciation of Indian Citizenship/Surrender Certificate

For Adults:

1. Prescribed Application form to be filled is available here: https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Renounce.

2. Please read through "Instructions”, "How to Apply" and "FAQ" at the above-mentioned portal carefully before filling the form to understand the procedure correctly.

3. The Form can be filled only online, and no further modifications are possible. Thus, filing of wrong and incorrect detail may cause rejection/cancellation of application at any stage.

4. Once the above process is completed, submit a copy(FORM XXII) in PDF format at Embassy of India, Berlin in person. Applicant's details must be vouched by another Indian national on Form XXII who is not a family member of the applicant

5. Signing of form XXII and submission of the application must be done in person at the Embassy for verification on any working day between 9.30 hrs and 12.30 hrs.

6. In case applicant’s last Indian passport is with German authorities, the applicant should contact the concerned German authorities to provide the applicant with their passport. If the same had been forwarded to the Embassy or an Indian Consulate, the respective Indian Embassy/Consulate should be contacted to get back the last Indian passport. The Applicant has to submit physical copy of their passport along with the above mentioned two documents.

7. Status of application may be followed online at https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Renounce. Processing of Citizenship Renunciation applications may take minimum 10-12 weeks (starting from date of receipt of complete application) and the Certificate could be issued only after getting clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. Applicants are requested to refrain from making status enquiries during this period.

8. Refer FAQ for the required documents to be submitted at the Embassy

For Minors:

1. Please apply for Surrender of Indian Passport (here) and take a printout of the completed application. Paste two photographs on the printed form and sign where indicated.

2. Please print and fill the from XXII (here), Parental Authorization for Minors (here) and Particulars form (here). Note that the Form should be signed by a witness who is NOT applicant but another Indian national.

3. Make the fee payment to the Embassy with reference number of as per details provided here. Please ensure the entry of Application Reference Number (ARN) in remarks for online bank transaction as explained in the link for fee payment.

4. Applicants may submit their application directly at the Embassy on any working day between 9.30 hrs and 12.30 hrs.

5. Refer FAQ for the required documents to be submitted at the Embassy