Is Adopted Children Eligible for OCI Card?

An OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card is an important document that provides many benefits to foreign nationals of Indian origin. 

However, the main question that arises among the foreign citizens of Indian origin is "Can an adopted child apply for an OCI card?" So, the answer is 'Yes': an adopted children is eligible for an OCI card if he or she is of Indian origin, has a surrender certificate, or one of their parents is of Indian origin. 

In this blog, we will help you with details about the adopted child's OCI card, including the process, eligibility, and the documents you will need.

Eligibility Criteria for OCI Card for Adopted Child

If you want to apply for an OCI card for adopted children, then there are two conditions under which an adopted child is eligible to apply for an OCI, which are: 

Minimum One Parent Eligible for OCI

If the parents of the adopted child are eligible for one of the points given below, then the adopted child can apply for an OCI: 

• If one of the parents is of Indian origin. 
• Have an existing OCI card.
• If one of their parents' grandparents, great grandparents, are of Indian origin. 
• If one of the parents has an Indian origin, they can apply for an OCI. 

Note: If the child's adoptive parents are not of Indian origin, then the adopted child will not be eligible to apply for an OCI card. 

Legal Adoption is valid 

The second condition is that the child should be legally adopted through a recognised adoption centre, which should be regulated and governed under the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) in India. For a foreign country, you will need to obtain a court-issued adoption decree. 

For the OCI card adoption of a child, you need to follow the given points:

• The Rules of Indian Adoption Laws
• Adoption laws in a foreign country. 

If you have adopted a child without having any adoption certificate or any court-issued adoption decree, then the qualification of the adopted child for the OCI will be rejected. 

Documents Required for the Adopted Child OCI

 Here is the list of documents that you will need to apply for OCI for adopted children. Make sure you submit all valid and legal documents. Submitting fake or incorrect documents can result in the rejection of your OCI application. 

• You will need to provide the child's foreign passport.
• Submit your old Indian passport
• Provide your surrender certificate
• Provide a court-issued adoption decree
• Legal adoption papers
• A copy of your parents' passports
• Parents' marriage certificate (if needed)
• Proof of current address

Process to Apply for an OCI Application for Adopted Children

Follow all the steps carefully to fill out the online OCI application for your adopted children. 

• Go to the official OCI portal ociservice.gov.in.
• Fill out the online application form by selecting the 'New OCI Registration-Minor Applicant'.
• Submit all the essential documents for the Adopted child OCI application, like legal adoption papers, passport, birth certificate, proof of Indian origin, and more. 
• Submit biometrics for the OCI application for an adopted child, including a signature, thumbprint, and photo. 
• Pay the required fee for a minor's OCI card application. 
• You need to submit the OCI card application to the Indian consulate or the nearest Indian Embassy. 
• After submitting the OCI application, you need to wait a few days for verification. 

You will get your OCI card at your registered home address within a few weeks after submitting the OC application. 

Also Want to Know About OCI Card Application for Minor Check Now!

Additional Cases for Adopted Child OCI

Here are some of the cases given below that are considered by the government of India for the OCI application. 

• If the Child is born outside India
  • Any child who is born outside India, but adopted by an Indian parent or one of the parents, is of Indian origin; then the child is qualified for the OCI card application. 
• If any adopted child parents are existing OCI cardholders
  • If any adopted child's parents have an OCI card, the child is automatically eligible for an OCI card. 
• The child's parents are not of Indian origin
  • If the child's parents do not have any connection to India or have never been Indian citizens, then the adopted child cannot apply for an OCI. 

Points to Remember While Applying for an OCI Card for an Adopted Child

Below are some points to keep in mind when applying for an OCI card for adopted children. 

• Before applying for an OCI card, you need to check the latest OCI Rules because they can change at any time. 
• You need to provide all the correct information so that your application process goes smoothly. 
• Provide all the supporting documents, which should be legal and valid. 
• Each case is individually reviewed by the Indian embassy or consulate.
• Make sure you double-check your application before submitting. 
• Make sure you have properly valid adoption documents from the CARA or a court-issued adoption decree. 
• You must legally finalise the adoption process before applying for an OCI card. 
• Submitting incorrect or fake documents can lead to delays and rejection of your OCI card application. 
• Both parents need to provide consent before the jurisdiction for the Adopted child's OCI application. 
• Submitting an incomplete or informal adoption can lead to rejection of your OCI application. 

Final Thoughts 

An OCI card provides you with many benefits, including an indefinite period of stay, the right to live and work in India, and the right to apply for Indian citizenship. You can also apply for an OCI card for adopted children through the Visament website. 

At the Visament, we provide a simple, easy application process to get your OCI card error-free, without any rejections or mistakes. We have a team of experts who will assist you at every step of the OCI application process. 

If you have any doubts or queries, or want more information, you can contact our Visament website, where our agents are active 24*7 to help you with all your queries and issues and provide real-time, instant solutions.