Hello everyone,
I am a software professional, currently staying in the North East of England for work assignment. I stay with my wife here and both of us are Indian citizen by birth. Recently we have been blessed with our first baby – baby boy. The baby is approaching 1 month now and both Baby & Mom are doing well… J
Why I am writing this blog?
I had multiple queries regarding the citizenship and passport application process applicable for the child. Some of my work colleagues assisted me with majority of the details and remaining details from multiple websites. I didn’t find any comprehensive blog / topic where all the details are precisely documented. I thought about writing something once I know bit more about it and once it works.
Also, I had to travel thrice – once to Birmingham for the birth registration and twice to Manchester for the passport application (once due to my mistake), which almost took 3 days for me from the paternity leave and pampering the baby.
If you do not have your own car, travelling on train will cost you significantly (much higher that the actual application charges).
I thought about writing something which might be helpful for other parents (with similar conditions) to avoid failure to comply in any of the criteria.
Here we go, I will start with my questions and their answers. Questions I had in mind:
Q1. What will be the citizenship of the new born baby? i.e. – India / UK?
A1: A child born in the UK will only have British citizenship if at least one of their parents is a British citizen or was living in the UK with permission to stay here permanently.
Q2. Do we need to do anything for the Indian citizenship or it is by default as both the parents are Indian citizen?
A2: The baby is eligible for Indian citizenship but parents need to apply for registering the baby as Indian citizen, it is not by default. (process covered in details below)
Q3: Do we need to do apply for Visa for the newborn baby?
A3: I think visa is not required if the baby is leaving UK and not returning back. If there is any plan for international trip, visa would probably be required (please double check). In both the cases, passport would be required as international travel document.
Please note that you are requested to register the child’s birth with the High Commission of India/Consulates only then you would be able to apply for a Fresh Passport for the Child born in UK.
Q4: Can these be completed online?
A4: Yes (and No), though the application form / appointment booking is online, physically attending the appointment is mandatory (at least by one parents) for both the scenarios.
Q5: Do we need to physically take the baby for the Birth Registration / Passport application appointment?
A5: No (thankfully), one parent can attend the physical document submission / verification with consent /
authorization letter from the other parent.
Q6: Will there be any disturbance for the new born baby for any of the processes?
A6: Yes -
· You need to have two different set of id photos, one for birth registration and other for passport (details mentioned below). I would say photo specification is very strict considering you are applying for a new born baby.
· You need to capture Left Hand Thumb Impression (Blue or Black ink) in the specified box in the Passport application form print out. Please note this is mandatory and Application form will not be submitted at the VFS Global.
Process to be followed: This involves three sequential steps and they are dependent on the previous one:
Step 1: Registering birth in the local council (UK)
· A birth must be registered in the registration district where it occurred within 42 days.
· The process is very simple. Normally you do not need any appointment for this. One parent can complete the registration (for married parents).
I completed this process in the Newcastle Civic Centre and it took me approximately 30 mins to get the Birth certificate. Payment can be done using card / cash.
Important reference:
· Your City Council website link – e.g. – Newcastle City Council - https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/communities-and-neighbourhoods/births-deaths-and-marriages/births/registering-a-birth
Step 2: Registering your baby as Indian Citizen
As mentioned above, you can only progress with this step once you have the birth certificate from the previous step, in some instances it is referred as full version birth certificate / birth certificate issued by the council.
Below is a snippet from High Commission of India – London website which explains the process:
“For a child born in the UK to be registered as an Indian citizen, the application is to be made online. For detailed information, applicants are requested to visit the website of Ministry of Home Affairs at web link: http://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in
After filling-in the application online, the hard copy (printout) of the online application needs to be signed by the parents and the signed application form needs to be submitted at the Consular Section of the High Commission of India (or at our Consulates in Birmingham and Edinburgh if the applicant (s) reside within the consular jurisdiction of CGI, Birmingham or CGI, Edinburgh) along with other prescribed documents in original, a self-attested photocopy set of prescribed documents and the prescribed fee. For this service, applicants have to apply in Person only.”
Please check under which jurisdiction you live, to select the appropriate CGI office – London, Birmingham or Edinburgh. It’s not always nearest one – e.g. – I stay in Newcastle which is near to Edinburgh but it is under Birmingham jurisdiction.
A) Process for application / documents for High Commission of India, London:
· Support email: info.london@hcilondon.in
B) Process for application / documents for Consulate General of India, Birmingham:
· Support email: inf.birmingham@mea.gov.in
Other details:
· Self-addressed pre-paid envelope is not mentioned but this will be required to send the Birth registration certificate back to you. This isn’t mentioned clearly but they clarified this over email. (I needed this for Birmingham)
· Birmingham CGI only accepts cash and they request for the exact amount. Though they are helpful but would probably good idea to carry exact amount in cash.
· The stuffs were very friendly in the Birmingham office, my appointment for the document submission was over well within the time.
Step 3: Apply for the Indian Passport:
The Indian Passport service has been outsourced to VFS (UK) and the application will have to be deposited with one of its centres.
Phone Number: - 02037938629/02036959849
E-mail: - info.inuk@vfshelpline.com
Process involves:
A) Online application form using URL - https://embassy.passportindia.gov.in/
Take a print out of the application form and add photo & add Left Hand Thumb Impression in the section on 1st page (as new born baby can’t sign but this is mandatory).
Signature is required on the 4th page as well, which can be signed by the parents in case of minor, this is mentioned in the application form.
Photo specification - https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/NEW_Indian_Passport.html
“Photograph for Child/babies - The photograph should show the baby or child awake, looking straight at the camera with mouth closed and nothing covering the mouth. It should also show both edges of the face clearly (no toys, blankets, chair backs or other people visible) and no hair across the eyes.”
Documents required menu and fess under fee tab in the following link: https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/NEW_Indian_Passport.html (Section - First Passport for Children born in the UK)
· If one of the parents is attending the document submission, consent letter from other parent is mandatory for the application (on plain paper).
· There wasn’t anything mentioned about the self-addressed envelope for the passport application but I emailed VFS team and they provide following response:
“Please Note: - Due to suspensions & service disruptions, all centres under the Birmingham Jurisdiction are unable to use Royal Mail service. Document delivery will be made using DX courier.”
B) Appointment booking at VFS –
Check following URL:
http://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/how_to_apply.html to find out the jurisdiction and then select passport services will redirect you to following URL for scheduling the appointment:
C) Attend the Appointment at VFS –
After reviewing all the details, VFS officials will accept the application and take the payment (Debit card) and give you the receipt. This includes the return delivery tracking number as well.
I have used website references instead of copy pasting the information as this links will always give you the correct information. This is just to give an overview, please contact appropriate team if you have any query.
Disclaimer: All the information mentioned above based on my recent experience and I am sharing this in good faith. However, I am not responsible for any misinterpretation / responding any follow up queries. The information URLs which I have used are open source and all the respective site owners have the full copyright.
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