Q.862 Baptism Certificate in Lieu

of Birth Certificate for OCI . . .

Question: Dear Mr Chand: I have to apply for an OCI card but I do not have a copy of my parents birth certificates which would have indicated they were born in Goa. Is it possible for me to : 1. submit my sister’s OCI Card number or my brother’s PIO number as we aMy sister obtained her OCI from the New York Indian High Commission and my brother obtained his PIO number in Nairobi, Kenya; or 2. if I can obtain my parents Baptism Certificates from the church in Goa, would these documents be allowed for registration instead of the birth certificates. My own birth certificate shows that both my parents were Goan indicating they were born in Goa. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you. Sincerely [February 26, 2016] Answer: What document did your sister submit to the New York India High Commission when she got her OCI card? Perhaps the same document should help your OCI application. Regarding your questions 1 & 2. 1. Submitting your sister’s OCI card number may help, provided the consular officer takes the time to cross check your sisters documents. However, proof that the she is your sister may become an issue. 2. Baptism certificates issued by the church authorities in Goa before October 1955 and attested by Collector / District Magistrate are acceptable as proof of Indian Origin in Lieu of Birth Certificates. For more information on this topic: To view government notification regarding Baptism certificate in lieu of birth certificate Click HERE For more information check article How to Get Nativity Certificate >>

Additional Information on proof of

Indian origin for OCI

Birth certificate of parents is usually to verify Indian origin of the OCI applicant. Generally in the absence of a birth certificate of a parent or grandparent, the most acceptable document is Nativity Certificate. Nativity Certificate can be obtained from the State Government (Goa State Govt. in your case) and after obtaining the Nativity Certificate it needs to be authenticated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This does not mean that a visit to the MEA is required, they have designated various places across India for this type of service. In Goa I believe it is IVS Global Service Pvt. Ltd. Golden Sapphire, 2nd Floor, Miramar Goa-2463189 Phone 07083270884. More information on attestation of Nativity Certificate and places where this can be done is provided in the article mentioned above How to Get Nativity Certificate.

Types of Documents Acceptable as

Proof of Indian Origin for OCI

Parent’s birth certificates are not mandatory for all OCI applicants. The requirement to prove Indian origin by OCI applicants can be done by submitting other types of documents. While the decision to whether accept any type of document as proof of Indian Origin rests with the Embassy/Consular Officials, here are some of the documents that may be acceptable: A previously held Indian passport Or A previously held Indian passport of any one parent or grandparents Birth certificate of parents Certificate of residence or place of birth of self / parents / grandparents from First Class Magistrate / District Magistrate (DM) of the concerned place. Notarized copy of educational certificate issued by an institution of India