Embassy of India Berlin

Renunciation/Surrender of Indian Passports

Under Indian law, Persons of Indian Origin, who have acquired foreign citizenship, are required to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Mission/Post immediately after acquisition of foreign citizenship. The Government of India has fixed fee for renouncing the Indian Citizenship/surrender of Indian passport at Rs.7, 000/- Eur 115/- at the current Official Rate of Exchange). The information regarding applicable fee could be viewed at www.mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?ID_PK=77.

2. The Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, does not allow dual citizenship. Holding Indian passport/acquiring Indian passport/travelling on Indian passport after acquisition of foreign citizenship constitutes an offence under the Indian Passport Act, 1967, and attracts penalties. The Government of India has prescribed imposition of penalty on a graded scale, depending on number of trips made on Indian passport after acquiring foreign nationality, for the violation of Passport Rules ranging from a minimum of Rs. 10,000/- (Eur 160/- at the current Official Rate of Exchange) to a maximum of Rs. 50,000/- (Eur 785/- at the current Official Rate of Exchange).

3. In view of these provisions, Persons of Indian Origin, intending to apply for OCI/PIO Cards, should surrender their Indian passports and then apply for these services. In case they do not have the Indian passports in their possession for any reason (loss/misplacement/submission to Home Office long time back, etc.), they are required to furnish duly notarized affidavit in this regard. If the Indian passport is still valid but has been misplaced/lost, then Police report should be submitted additionally (to rule out any misuse).

4. Persons of Indian Origin applying for Indian visa for the first time after acquiring foreign nationality are required to first renounce/surrender their Indian passports.

· No hand written passport will be issued by the Embassy or the Consulates from 1st April, 2010.

· Transit passengers whose passport is lost/damaged will be issued only Machine Readable Passport. Issuance of Machine Readable Passport may take minimum of 15 working days. Under no circumstances hand written passports will be issued. Transit passengers whose passport is lost/damaged and returning to India can be issued an Emergency Certificate (handwritten), if they desire so.

· All Passports will be issued only after verifying credentials of the applicants.

· New passport in lieu of lost or damaged passport will be issued for full validity of 10 years.

Jumbo passport- EUR 60, 00
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Note: Fresh passport for 10 year validity will be issued instead of additional booklet.

Fee - EUR 186, 00
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4. Passport for children below 15 years of age

Fee - EUR 30, 00
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5. Passport to a new born child

Note: For a child born in Germany to be registered as an Indian citizen the application must be made within one year of the child's birth on the prescribed form. At least one of the child's parent's must be an Indian citizen at the time of applying. Enclose passports of both parents and a full version birth certificate of the child with photocopies of the birth certificate along with the application. In case more than one year has elapsed since the birth of child, an affidavit needs to be submitted stating that the child has not acquired German nationality. Local authorities should also confirm non-acquisition of German Nationality by the child. In case more than seven years have elapsed since the birth of the child, the matter would have to be referred to relevant authorities in India. The passport issued is valid for five years.

Fee - EUR 30, 00 + EUR 25, 00 (Birth Certificate)

Applicant shall apply in person as the Declaration and L-Form to be signed in front of the Consular officer.
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6. Replacement of booklet due to change in appearance

A fresh passport will be issued. Applicant has to apply in person as he is required to sign the affidavit in front of consular officer.

Fee - EUR 48, 00 + EUR 12, 00

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7. Replacement of passport due to change of name after marriage, remarriage or divorce.

Applicant has to apply in person as he is required to sign the affidavit in front of consular officer.