India - Apply for Citizenship

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Procedure

Apply Online

1. To Apply for Citizenship, the applicant has to make the application online via link
2. The applicant has to personal details and employment details with the captcha code and click the “Save and Next” button.
3. Enter the family details and click the “Save and Next” button.
4. Also, upload all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page and click the “Save and Next” button.
5. Pay the prescribed amount fee in online mode.
6. Once completed with all the details click the “Submit” button.
7. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
8. An acknowledgment receipt will be provided. Please save it for future reference.
9. Then the application will be processed further. All the updates on the application status will be sent via SMS to the applicant’s mobile number.
10. Once the process gets completed, the applicant gets a call from the office regarding the application.
11. This entire process can be completed within 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

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Required Documents

Citizenship by Descent (Registration of Birth):

• Application Form: Complete the relevant application form for the registration of birth with the Indian consulate or embassy.
• Birth Certificate: Provide the original birth certificate issued by the foreign country's authorities.
• Proof of Indian Citizenship: Submit documents proving the Indian citizenship of at least one of the parents (Indian passport, citizenship certificate, etc.).
• Parents' Marriage Certificate (if applicable): If the parents are married, provide the original marriage certificate.
• Parents' Passports: Submit copies of both parents' passports.
• Address Proof: Provide address proof of the parents.

Citizenship by Registration (Person of Indian Origin or Overseas Citizen of India):

• Application Form: Complete the relevant application form for citizenship by registration.
• Proof of Indian Origin/OCI Status: Provide documents proving the applicant’s Indian origin or Overseas Citizen of India status.
• Proof of Residence: Submit documents showing the applicant’s residence in India for the required period (if applicable).
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable): If applying through marriage to an Indian citizen, provide the original marriage certificate.
• Passport and Visa Copies: Submit copies of the applicant’s current passport and visa.

Citizenship by Naturalization:

• Application Form: Complete the relevant application form for citizenship by naturalization.
• Residence Proof: Provide proof of residence in India for the specified period (usually 12 years).
• Character Certificate: Submit a character certificate from the local authorities.
• Passport and Visa Copies: Provide copies of the applicant’s current passport and visa.
• Declaration of Intention: A declaration of intention to renounce any foreign citizenship held (if applicable).

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Home Affairs
North Block
New Delhi - 110001
India
Email: [email protected]
Telephone No: 23092392
Contact link

Eligibility

The applicant eligible to apply for Indian citizenship if he/she meets the requirements of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The following are the requirements for Indian citizenship by naturalization:

• The applicant must be a person of Indian origin. This means that he/she or his/her parents or grandparents must have been born in India before 1950.
• The applicant must have been residing in India for at least 12 years out of the last 14 years.
• The applicant must have a good character and must be a person of good moral character.
• The applicant must have a minimum net worth of ₹5,000,000.
• The applicant must be able to speak, read, and write basic Hindi or another Indian language.
• The applicant must have renounced his/her previous citizenship.

Fees

• The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee as requested by the authority.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• This entire process can be completed within 1 – 2 months or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applicants must complete the application form before submitting it. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicants must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.

Required Information

• Name of applicant & mother
• Father's Name or Husbands Name
• Permanent Address
• Date of Birth & Place
• Period of residence in India
• Place of Birth of father
• Date of migration in India
• Date of return to India
• Purpose for which Nationality Certificate is required.

Need for the Document

• Citizenship in India refers to the legal status of an individual as a member of the country, granting them certain rights, protections, and responsibilities under Indian law. Indian citizenship is governed by the Citizenship Act of 1955 and subsequent amendments.

Information which might help

• Indian citizenship grants individuals various rights, including the right to vote, the right to own property, access to government services, and legal protections. Citizens also have certain responsibilities, such as obeying the laws of the country and paying taxes.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

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Others

More information which might help people.