Acquiring Indian Citizenship by Descent

Eligibility Criteria (2025)

✅ A person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950, but before December 10, 1992, is a citizen by descent if their father was an Indian citizen at the time of birth.
✅ A person born outside India on or after December 10, 1992, but before December 3, 2004, is a citizen by descent if either parent was an Indian citizen at the time of birth.
✅ A person born outside India on or after December 3, 2004, is a citizen by descent if either parent was an Indian citizen at birth, and the birth is registered at an Indian consulate within one year (or later with permission from the Central Government).

✅ Applicant’s birth certificate (legalized/apostilled and translated into English/Hindi if necessary).
✅ Indian parent’s birth certificate or proof of citizenship (e.g., Indian passport or citizenship certificate).
✅ Valid identification of the Indian parent (e.g., current Indian passport or Aadhaar card).
✅ Applicant’s valid passport or identification document.
✅ Proof of birth registration at an Indian consulate (for births after December 3, 2004).

📍 For births after December 3, 2004, register the birth at the nearest Indian embassy/consulate within one year, or seek Central Government permission if delayed.
📍 Gather all required documents, ensuring they are legalized and translated as needed.
📍 Submit documents to the Indian embassy/consulate (if abroad) or the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) (if in India).
📍 Await verification and approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
📍 Upon approval, apply for an Indian passport through the Passport Seva portal.

📌 India does **not recognize dual citizenship**. Persons of Indian origin must renounce foreign citizenship to claim Indian citizenship ( Citizenship Act, 1955, Section 9).
📌 Failure to register a birth within one year (for post-2004 births) may require a special application to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
📌 More details can be found on the official government website: Ministry of Home Affairs - Foreigners Division.

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