Applying for a new OCI card (minor - by birth) at VFS Global (USA)

Owing to widespread confusion about the documents required to be uploaded on the Indian government website and what needs to be sent to VFS, I thought it is time I come back and write a new blog. This blog will only focus on documents, not the actual process to apply for the OCI card (as VFS does a pretty good job at doing that). This list is true as of October 2021, any changes to the document list after this month are not covered here. Having said that as a disclaimer, let's jump right in:

1. Documents required to be uploaded on the Indian Government OCI Services website and the various categories they should be uploaded under (Tip 1: As these are soft copies of originals, no need to self attest any of these documents), Tip 2: Every category below accepts only a single PDF file with size less than 1 MB so scan your documents at 150 DPI max, Tip 3: Be ready with a software that can merge and compress PDFs - Adobe Acrobat DC gives out a 7 day trial and it is the best!):
• Current passport - photo (page 2), signature (page 3) and all endorsement pages (25-27).
• Address proof - DL front copy (or any of the other proofs clearly listed).
• Indian origin proof - current passport of both parents (first two and last two pages).
• Indian visa - any current or previous visa that the child has/had.
• Relationship certificate - birth certificate of the child with both parents' names.
• Legal status of parents - valid visa OR I-797A copies.
• Marriage certificate
• Parental authorization form - filled in and notarized. This is one of the two documents you'd need to get notarized (other one being the third page in the application form). Tip: In order to save two trips to the notary, just upload a blank PDF (do not Submit the application!!), click Exit and then use the Government website's section that says 'Reprint Submitted Applications'. This will allow you to print the application form with a section that says all required documents (including parental authorization) were uploaded. Take the third page of the application form along with parental authorization form to the notary, fill those forms in front of them and get their stamp. After that, you can use the Government website's section that says 'OCI document upload/re-upload' and upload the notarized parental authorization form and hit Finish/Submit the application (assuming everything else above has been uploaded already).
2. Documents required to be shipped to VFS (wherever I say 'sign' or 'self attest' below, it means your kid has to sign (if he/she is over 5 years) or put a thumbprint (if under 5) AND father and mother have to sign mentioning (Father) and (Mother) against the respective signatures). No double sided printing!:
• Checklist - clearly mark what documents you are sending, fill up the contact information on top of every page and sign the page that asks for signature at the end of VFS section.
• Application/Payment confirmation letter - you'll get it when you submit your payment on VFS site (it will also be emailed to you).
• Printed government application - with the third (declaration) page notarized.
• Parental authorization form - notarized as outlined above.
• Two photos - just put the photos in the envelope. No need to paste and certainly don't staple.
• Birth certificate copy.
• Current passport with endorsement pages (2, 3, 25, 26, 27) - self attested.
• Both parent's passport copies (first two and last two pages) - self attested only by whoever's passport it is.
• Marriage certificate copy.
• DL (or other address proof) copy - self attested by whoever's address proof it is.
• Consent letter - This looks like a recent requirement. Basically, you need to provide your consent to the embassy/consulate to fix any mistakes in your form. You can download a sample I created here.
• Legal status of parents - Valid visa or I-797A copies. I couldn't find this one in their checklist though but again, as I said, there's a lot of confusion!
3. Shipping the package - VFS will generate an incoming (from you to them) shipping label when you complete your payment and choose their FedEx service. You don't need (and won't be able) to print any other labels or send in an extra envelope. They will do the return part on their own. You just need to send your package in a FedEx envelope after sticking the incoming label on it and writing the words 'New OCI - Minor - By Birth' on the envelope.

That's it! Let me know if you have any questions.