Once an Indian citizen acquires foreign citizenship, they are legally required to surrender their Indian passport. As per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, dual citizenship is not permitted, and holding an Indian passport after acquiring foreign nationality is a violation of Indian law. Failure to surrender your Indian passport can result in penalties, including fines and legal consequences.
In this comprehensive guide, we explain the step-by-step process of passport surrender in India, the documents required, applicable fees, and how to obtain a Surrender Certificate, which is essential for applying for an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card.
Why Must You Surrender Your Indian Passport After Foreign Naturalization?
When an Indian citizen takes up citizenship of another country (e.g., the USA, Canada, UK, Australia), they automatically lose Indian citizenship. Continuing to use an Indian passport or even keeping it after foreign naturalization is illegal and punishable under Section 12(1A) of the Indian Passport Act, 1967.
To comply with the law, one must:
- Surrender the Indian passport
- Obtain a Surrender Certificate
- Apply for an OCI card if desired
What Is a Passport Surrender Certificate?
A Surrender Certificate is an official document issued by the Indian Embassy or Consulate (or Passport Office in India) that proves you have returned your Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship. This certificate is also mandatory when applying for an OCI card.
Who Needs to Surrender an Indian Passport?
You are required to surrender your Indian passport if:
- You voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship
- You have received a naturalization certificate from another country
- You are now a foreign national and wish to apply for OCI
Step-by-Step Procedure to Surrender Indian Passport
Step 1: Determine Where to Apply
Depending on your location, you can apply:
- Outside India: At the Indian Embassy/Consulate in your country of residence
- Inside India: At the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in your city
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
Here’s the list of essential documents you need to surrender your Indian passport:
- Original Indian Passport
- Photocopy of Indian Passport (first, last, and observation pages)
- Foreign Citizenship Certificate / Naturalization Certificate
- Photocopy of New Foreign Passport
- Duly filled and signed Passport Surrender Form
- Passport-size Photograph (as per specifications)
- Self-attested address proof (if applying from India)
- Application fee payment receipt
If applying online, upload scanned copies as per the portal’s requirement.
Step 3: Fill the Application Form
If applying in India:
- Visit the Passport Seva Portal
- Register/Login to your account
- Choose “Surrender of Indian Passport” under the miscellaneous services
- Fill out the application form accurately
If applying abroad, visit the official website of the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your region and download the surrender application form or apply online as instructed.
Step 4: Pay the Applicable Fees
The fees for surrendering your Indian passport are as follows:
| Category | Passport Issue Date | Surrender Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Indian passport issued on or after Jan 1, 2005 | Any | ₹5,000 (or USD equivalent) |
| Indian passport issued before Jan 1, 2005 | Not used for travel after foreign citizenship | ₹500 (or USD equivalent) |
Note: Using your Indian passport to travel after acquiring foreign citizenship may attract additional penalties.
Step 5: Submit Application and Documents
- In India: Visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra or RPO with originals and copies.
- Abroad: Submit the application and documents to the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your jurisdiction. In some cases, this can also be done via post.
Step 6: Receive Surrender Certificate
Once the documents are verified and the application is approved, you will be issued a Surrender Certificate and your Indian passport will be cancelled and returned to you. The cancelled passport will have a stamp indicating “Cancelled due to acquisition of foreign nationality.”
The Surrender Certificate is usually delivered:
- Within 7–10 working days in most Indian cities
- Within 2–3 weeks if applying through an Indian mission abroad
What If You Don’t Surrender Your Indian Passport?
Failing to surrender your passport after acquiring foreign citizenship is considered a violation. The consequences can include:
- Heavy fines (up to ₹50,000 depending on the duration of misuse)
- Legal prosecution
- Ineligibility for OCI application
- Blacklisting from Indian consular services
Can You Still Apply for OCI Without Surrendering Passport?
No, you must first surrender your Indian passport and obtain the surrender certificate before applying for an OCI card. The OCI application process mandates uploading a scanned copy of the Surrender Certificate.
Tatkaal Passport Surrender Services
Though there’s no “Tatkaal” service per se for surrendering passports, certain Indian embassies and consulates may offer priority appointments or expedited processing for urgent cases (such as visa deadlines or emergencies).
Important Points to Note
- Keep multiple photocopies of the Surrender Certificate for future OCI applications or visa procedures.
- Do not use the Indian passport for travel once you acquire foreign nationality.
- If you’re unsure of your eligibility or process, consult with professionals like us.
We Help You Navigate the Passport Surrender Process with Ease
At Passport agents in chennai, we specialize in passport and visa-related services, including passport surrender for foreign nationals. Our experienced team ensures:
- Complete documentation support
- Accurate form submission
- Appointment scheduling
- End-to-end process guidance
- Timely status updates
We make sure your surrender certificate is processed swiftly and in full compliance with Indian law.
We at Passport agents in chennai provide you passport and visa services, fast, dedicated support, experienced professionals.