Renunciation/Surrendering of Indian Citizenship

       The individual, who has acquired foreign nationality, his Indian nationality gets terminated automatically u/s 9 of the citizenship Act of 1955. So he does not have to Renounce his citizenship. However, Surrender of Indian passport is mandatory for them. In case of acquiring surrender certificate, there will be no effect on the Indian nationality of the minor children, as long as one of the parents of the children is continued to be Indian national. 

 Indian Citizenship Act does not provide dual citizenship. As per the Passport Act, it is mandatory for all Indian passport holders to surrender their last Indian passport to the Embassy/Consulate immediately after acquisition of foreign nationality. It is an offence under the Citizenship Act and the Passports Act for foreign nationals to hold Indian passports. Once Indian passport is surrendered, The Embassy of India, The Hague will cancel and return it to the Passport holder along with Renunciation/Surrender certificate. 

 Foreign nationals of Indian Origin who have already acquired citizenship of any other country are not eligible to renounce their Indian citizenship. However, the Indian applicant, who wants to Renounce their Indian citizenship U/S 8 of Citizenship Act 1955 may do so but the Indian Citizenship of his/her minor children will be ceased automatically. May refer following details that flashes on MHA portal for renunciation :

“Indian citizens desiring to renounce the citizenship of India may please note that if any person (either FATHER OR MOTHER) ceases to be a citizen of India under sub - section (1) of Section 8 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, every minor child of that person shall cease to be a citizen of India under sub – section (2) of Section 8 of the Citizenship Act, 1955. However, such child may, within one year after attaining full age, make a declaration in the prescribed form and manner that he/she wishes to resume Indian Citizenship.”  

How to apply ‘Surrender  Certificate’

please apply for Surrender Certificate on the link https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html apart from mentioning names in parents application.

How to apply ‘Renunciation Certificate’

1. Apply online on the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) website https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/ 

The applicant has to click on “Declaration of Renunciation of Citizenship under Section 8 of the Act Made by a Citizen of India who is also a Citizen or National of another country”
Instructions and details regarding the application can be seen in the website link given below;

https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Renounce

2. Applicants have a choice to pay applicable Fees at MHA website or pay offline at VFS. Please note, for both choices applicants still need to pay Mandatory ICWF=2€ and applicable VFS service + optional fees while submission.

If payment done at MHA website:

Payment proof corresponding to the MHA application reference number MUST be provided along with the application form.
If application is found erroneous after review by VFS/Embassy of India then no change is possible on that application, new application form with corrected details and new payment proof corresponding to the new application reference number
is required.

Hence, applicants are advised to fill up application carefully as there cannot be any refund possible from VFS or Embassy of India for any payment(s) done on MHA website.
If Applicant chooses to pay offline / Unable to pay online at MHA website:
applicant needs to pay the applicable Embassy Fees in addition to VFS Service charges 

Documents required

Please see link for documents Link

Fees

Please see link for fees Link

Processing Time

Minimum 4 to 6 working days from date of receipt of application at the Embassy for surrender certificate on PSP portal and 60 to 90 days for MHA portal application.