📅 By appointment only — no walk-ins. Call or WhatsApp 510-322-4000 to schedule.
🇺🇸 New US Citizen of Indian Origin?

Surrender Your Indian Passport — The Right Way

India doesn't allow dual citizenship. Once you become a US citizen, your Indian passport must be surrendered and a Renunciation / Surrender Certificate issued — usually before you can apply for OCI. We prepare the whole package for you.

💬 WhatsApp Now: 510-322-4000 📅 Book Appointment
✓ Prepared correctly for OCI ✓ Lost-passport cases welcome ✓ Private consultation only

Why it matters

Why You Must Surrender Your Indian Passport

Under the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, persons of Indian origin cannot hold dual citizenship. Once you acquire US or other foreign nationality, the last Indian passport has to be surrendered and formally cancelled — and the certificate you receive matters for the rest of your Indian paperwork.

🔢 Required before OCI

The Renunciation / Surrender Certificate is generally a required document when you apply for your OCI card or any Indian visa.

⚠ Using the old passport is a risk

Continuing to travel on an Indian passport after naturalization can lead to penalties. A cancel-stamp alone is not the same as a surrender.

📄 A certificate, not just a stamp

The last passport is cancelled and a proper Renunciation / Surrender Certificate is issued — a document you keep for life for future consular needs.

⏳ A time window applies

There is generally a window to obtain the certificate after acquiring foreign citizenship, and acting promptly avoids complications before travel.

Who we help

Built for Indian-Origin US Citizens & Families

If you or a family member once held an Indian passport and have since become a US citizen, we can prepare your renunciation paperwork — whether it's routine or a lost-passport case.

🇺🇸New US citizens

Recently naturalized and need to surrender the Indian passport.

🦺OCI applicants

Need the Surrender Certificate before filing for OCI.

🔍Lost-passport cases

Old Indian passport lost or unavailable — renunciation under the lost category.

👨‍👩‍👧Families

Multiple family members surrendering together.

👶Minor children

Minors who acquired US citizenship and held an Indian passport.

💼Travelled after naturalizing

Used the Indian passport after citizenship — we help present these cases carefully.

What we do

We Prepare the Whole Renunciation Package

We focus on getting your online application and VFS documents accurate and complete, so the official process goes as smoothly as possible. We assist and consult — the Government of India and its service provider make every decision.

1
Review your case

We check your last Indian passport, naturalization date, and OCI plans to confirm what applies.

2
File the online application

We guide the online renunciation form on the Government of India portal, entered accurately to match your passport.

3
Build your document checklist

A personalized list — US passport, old Indian passport, photos, address proof, and more.

4
Assemble the VFS package

We organize the printed application and documents for submission to VFS by appointment or by mail.

5
Handle lost-passport cases

If the old passport is missing, we prepare the lost-category filing and required affidavit.

6
Appointment-based consultation

Focused one-on-one sessions by phone, WhatsApp, or scheduled appointment.

Not sure what your case needs?

Send us your details on WhatsApp. We'll tell you exactly what's required before anything else.

💬 WhatsApp Your Situation

Be ready

Documents Typically Needed

Exact requirements are set by the Government of India and VFS Global and can vary by case. Below is a general starting checklist for a standard adult surrender — we confirm the exact list for your situation, including minor and lost-passport cases.

Surrender / Renunciation Document Checklist

Full-page, clearly legible copies only. Do not staple, do not print double-sided, and no handwritten documents — we review everything with you before you mail it to VFS.

✓
Government online application (Original)Filed on the Passport Seva mission portal, correct jurisdiction, signed on page 1 & 4 — no digital signatures.
✓
Surrender Certificate form ×2 (Original)Filled on the VFS portal, emailed to you, printed and duly signed.
✓
2 photographs (2″×2″)Identical, white background, taken within the last 6 months.
✓
Most recent Indian passport (Original)Actual signed passport + photocopies of the first 3 and last 2 pages.
✓
US passport copyInfo page + the last two amendment pages.
✓
Naturalization Certificate (Copy)Proof of your US (or other) citizenship.
✓
Proof of US address (Copy)State ID, license, or utility bill (≤3 months). No PO Box; don't cut your license.
✓
Affidavit of naturalization gapNotarized — only if you naturalized after your Indian passport expired.
✓
Name-change documentIf your name differs: marriage certificate, court order, or notarized affidavit.
✓
Fees + prepaid courier labelsReturn address must match your address proof exactly.

Minor & lost-passport cases differ. For a minor, both parents sign (thumb impression under age 5), plus a notarized parental authorization and, if naturalized through parents, a sworn affidavit. If the old Indian passport is lost, we file under the lost category (envelope marked “without passport”) — we prepare the affidavit and declaration for you.

Official fee structure

Paid directly by you to VFS — separate from our preparation fee. These are current at the time of writing and are set by the authorities and VFS; they can change without notice, so we confirm the live figures before you pay.

Renunciation / surrender fee$40
VFS service fee$19
ICWF$3
Card convenience charge+3.75%

MasterCard / Visa only. Money order or banker's check payable to “VFS Services (USA) Inc.” — personal checks are not accepted. If an application is rejected or abandoned, generally only the consular + ICWF fees are refundable; VFS, courier, and convenience charges are not.

Please read

Important Disclaimer

⚠ THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT WEBSITE — Non-Affiliation Notice

Bharat Visa Services is an independent, private document preparation and consultation company. We are not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, Passport Seva, any Indian Consulate or Embassy, VFS Global, BLS International, USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, or any other government agency. We do not issue surrender certificates, renunciation certificates, or any government documents. All official government, ICWF, and VFS fees are paid directly by the applicant to the relevant authority — our fee covers document preparation and consultation only. Final decisions, fees, and processing times are set solely by the relevant authorities and may change without notice. We make no guarantees of any outcome. — Read our full Terms & Disclaimer →

Frequently asked questions

Common Questions About Surrendering an Indian Passport

Honest answers to the questions we hear most. When in doubt, reach out — every case is a little different.

It's the certificate issued to a person of Indian origin who surrenders their Indian passport after acquiring US or other foreign nationality. India does not permit dual citizenship, so the last Indian passport is cancelled and a Renunciation / Surrender Certificate is issued. Keep it for life — you'll use it for future Indian consular services.

In most cases, yes. The Surrender Certificate is generally a required document for an OCI card or any Indian visa after naturalization. Requirements are set by the Government of India and can change, so we confirm what your specific OCI application needs.

You can still apply. Renunciation can be filed under the lost-passport category, and a Renunciation Declaration Certificate is generally issued instead of a standard Surrender Certificate. This usually needs an affidavit and extra documents — we help you organize and present them clearly.

India requires the passport to be surrendered after acquiring foreign citizenship, and a person of Indian origin can generally obtain the certificate within about three years of acquiring foreign citizenship. Travelling on an Indian passport after naturalization can lead to penalties. These rules are set by the authorities and can change, so it's best to act promptly.

No. We are a private document assistance and consultation service, not affiliated with the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, Passport Seva, any Indian Consulate, or VFS Global. We cannot guarantee approval, fees, or processing times. All decisions are made only by the relevant authorities.

At the time of writing, VFS lists a $40 renunciation fee, $19 VFS service fee, and $3 ICWF, plus a card convenience charge of about 3.75% — paid directly to VFS. Processing time depends on VFS and consulate review. These amounts are set by the authorities and VFS and can change without notice, so we confirm the live figures for your case. Our preparation fee is separate. Reach us on WhatsApp or at 510-322-4000.

Ready to Surrender Your
Indian Passport Correctly?

Book an appointment-based consultation. We'll prepare your renunciation application and VFS package calmly and correctly — so your OCI isn't held up later.

💬 WhatsApp 510-322-4000 ✉ Email info@bharatvisa.us

📍 Mountain House, CA 95391  ·  📅 By Appointment Only  ·  Owner: Raj Sharma