Q.993 Indian High Commission UK

not accepting Goa birth certificate

for OCI

Question: Dear Sir/Madam I have applied for OCI status via the VFS Global agency in London and have also communicated with the Second Secretary (OCI) at the High Commission of India London in an effort to ascertain why my application had not been approved. I asked both parties why a birth certificate that had been obtained in Goa that had been duly attested by the Additional Collector of South Goa was not accepted as proof of me being of Indian Origin. I had also submitted other documentation like a copy of my parents marriage certificate. The response I received from the Assistant Consular Officer at the High Commission of India London was that because my mother was born before 1961 when Goa was not part of India they would not accept the birth certificate and that I needed to apply for a Nativity certificate. Have you come across this before as it seems rather ridiculous that a document issued from records held by an Indian Government department and duly attested by a high ranking Indian Government official is deemed to be of no value. Any advice regarding my predicament would be most welcome. Regards Mario Fernandes Answer: While it may indeed appear to be ridiculous, the Assistant Consular Officer at Indian the High Commission in London is probably just following the government of India rules and regulations. [Please rest assured I do not work for or have anything to do with the government of India or the London High Commission] As per rules specified for eligibility of registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI): Those who belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15,1947 and his/her children and grand children, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India. Goa, Daman and Diu became part of India from December 20,1961. This is the date the High Commission is looking at. Your option is to just go ahead and get the Nativity certificate. With the documents you have, I doubt there will be any issue. The same situation would probably apply to the other territories that became part of India after August 15,1947: These are Sikkim became part of India from 26.04.1975, Pondicherry became part of India from 16.08.1962 and Dadra & Nagar Haveli became part of India from 11.08.1961.