Surrendring Indian passport

[tckraju]

Application Submitted : 27-Mar-2023 at VFS Edinburgh.
Application Status : 27-Mar-2023 – Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.
Application Status : 28-Mar-2023 – Surrender Certificate is under review at Indian Embassy
Application Status : 29-Mar-2023 – Surrender Certificate is granted and is available for issuance
Application Status : 29-Mar-2023 – Surrender Certificate has been printed
Delivery SMS : 04-Apr-2023 – DX delivery SMS received
Delivered : 05-Apr-2023 – DX delivered Surrender Certificate and Cancelled Indian Passport.

Documents :
1) Appointment letter print out.
2) Application form with Photo (2” inch X 2” inch) attached and signed on both the pages where needed.
3) VFS Declaration form.
4) Extra 1 Photo (2” inch X 2” inch) taken separately.
5) British Passport Original - Checked and returned at the VFS counter.
6) Naturalisation Certificate Original - Checked and returned at the VFS counter.
7) Indian Passport Original - Retained and was told that it will be cancelled and delivered along with the passport surrender certificate. Paid for secure delivery at the VFS counter.
8 ) British Passport photocopy – Main page only self-attested.
9) Indian Passport photocopy – All used pages to see entry stamps (Only current passport) self-attested.
10) Naturalisation Certificate photocopy - self-attested.

[arjun200200]

I'm surrendering my family members passport.

However, when i go to enter the details i just get this message :

"Entered Application reference number can not be tracked"

Yet, when you look on here, most people are getting updates pretty much straight away. Is there something i am missing ?

I am using the link at https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html - do you need to register to check first ?

[sathyauk]

I'm surrendering my family members passport.

However, when i go to enter the details i just get this message :

"Entered Application reference number can not be tracked"

Yet, when you look on here, most people are getting updates pretty much straight away. Is there something i am missing ?

I am using the link at https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in/Online/index.html - do you need to register to check first ?You create an account, they fill your surrender using the above link. You have print the form and submit in VFS. Then you can track your status login into the portal

[scholar7980]

Application Submitted : 25 July 2023 at VFS Goswell Road London. (DX courier for delivery)

Documents need to be in order of VFS surrender certificate checklist (best to arrange in this order ahead of standing in line) - > https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/in ... CKLIST.pdf

1) Appointment letter.
2) Application form with Photo (2” inch X 2” inch) attached and signed on both the pages where needed. Make sure both signatures are inside the box and best to take a photo from photo printing service who understand OCI/Surrender certificate photo requirements
3) Indian Passport photocopy – All used pages to see entry stamps (Only current passport) self-attested.
4) Naturalisation Certificate photocopy - self-attested.
5) British Passport photocopy – photo page self-attested.
6) VFS Declaration form
7) Indian Passport Original - Retained and was told that it will be cancelled and delivered along with the passport surrender certificate. Paid for secure DX courier delivery at the VFS counter. Estimate is 1 week from submission.

Appt went smooth, took circa 30 mins to complete. They do ask if you have your own prepaid envelope at the counter though I opted for their courier service. No originals (British passport or naturalisation cert or extra photo) were asked for though I feel its important to have them in hand. Will update the progression timeline. For OCI, they do not retain the British passport and only physically check and return during your VFS appointment as per VFS representative.

[scholar7980]

Surrender Certificate Printed: 27 July 2023
Surrender Certificate Received (via DX courier): 10:15 am 28th July 2023 (3 days since submission)

Application Submitted : 25 July 2023 at VFS Goswell Road London. (DX courier for delivery)

Documents need to be in order of VFS surrender certificate checklist (best to arrange in this order ahead of standing in line) - > https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/in ... CKLIST.pdf

1) Appointment letter.
2) Application form with Photo (2” inch X 2” inch) attached and signed on both the pages where needed. Make sure both signatures are inside the box and best to take a photo from photo printing service who understand OCI/Surrender certificate photo requirements
3) Indian Passport photocopy – All used pages to see entry stamps (Only current passport) self-attested.
4) Naturalisation Certificate photocopy - self-attested.
5) British Passport photocopy – photo page self-attested.
6) VFS Declaration form
7) Indian Passport Original - Retained and was told that it will be cancelled and delivered along with the passport surrender certificate. Paid for secure DX courier delivery at the VFS counter. Estimate is 1 week from submission.

Appt went smooth, took circa 30 mins to complete. They do ask if you have your own prepaid envelope at the counter though I opted for their courier service. No originals (British passport or naturalisation cert or extra photo) were asked for though I feel its important to have them in hand. Will update the progression timeline. For OCI, they do not retain the British passport and only physically check and return during your VFS appointment as per VFS representative.

[tomarbabacat]

VFS Goswell, HCI London

Application Submitted : 16 Aug
Application Received : 16 Aug
Application under Review : 17 Aug
Certificate Granted : 17 Aug
Certificate Printed : 18 Aug
Certificate posted : 4 Sep
Certificate Delivered : 5 Sep

Absolutely no idea why it took them 2 additional weeks to post the documents after granting the certificate from London itself, and not Delhi like OCI. I had complained multiple times to both VFS and HCI to no avail, worrying that perhaps the passport and certificate are lost. VFS seem like scam artists anyway, charging you for SMS alerts and not sending anything, and having a broken tracking system. Hopefully just the one last time I need to deal with them for the OCI and never again

[akr2500448]

As all of you know there is a requirement (started in Sept I understand) to submit an application for 'citizenship renunciation' with one of the three CGIs (London, Birmingham or Edinburgh) in person by booking an appointment after you receive the surrender certificate. Is there a section on this website where a similar timeline for 'citizenship renunciation' has been initiated? I hope I have not missed it . If not already created, can one of the moderators start a post as it pretty new?

[Art87ee]

Wondering if anyone can help.

Sister's surrender certificate status says printed. It's been a week.

It's still not with DX courier though? Is there any way to chase this up?

[DineshSRD]

Indian Passport Surrender (For Adult, after receiving British Passport):

Timeline and Status :

Application Submitted : 06-Nov-2023 at VFS Hounslow.
Application Status : 06-Nov-2023 – Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.
Application Status : 07-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate is under review at Indian Embassy
Application Status : 07-Nov-2023– Surrender Certificate is granted and is available for issuance
Application Status : 07-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate has been printed
Application Status : 08-Nov-2023 21:46 – DX SMS stating delivery by tomorrow
Delivered : 09-Nov-2023 – DX delivered Surrender Certificate and Cancelled Indian Passport.

Documents :

1) Appointment letter
2) Application form
3) British Passport Original
4) Indian Passport Original
5) Naturalisation Certificate Original
6) 2 Photo (2” inch X 2” inch)
7) British Passport photocopy – Main page only
8 ) Indian Passport photocopy – All pages to see entry stamps (Only current valid passport, Previous cancelled passport(s) not needed)
9) Naturalisation Certificate photocopy
10) Declaration form
12) Additional, specific to my case - Father and Mother passport copy. My Indian passport had only first name of my Father and Mother in the last page but in application form I entered their full names so the VFS officer asked a photocopy of parents passports. Used the PC in VFS Hounslow to print the copy.

VFS officer was kind enough to describe the new OCI process to me. The process varies if you are based in London and outside London. For renunciation certificate applications outside London, first an appointment need to booked in CGI to get signature of counsellor and then an appointment in VFS to submit the renunciation documents. For applications in London, (only one visit) take renunciation appointment at VFS Goswell (VFS Hounslow not supported), a counsellor will be there to sign and we can submit the documents at the counter. Once the renunciation certificate is received take OCI appointment in either VFS Goswell or VFS Hounslow. If the renunciation certificate is taking time or if you need OCI soon, you can apply for OCI without renunciation certificate but need to upload the receipt that you receive from renunciation appointment in your OCI application. OCI will be processed only when the renunciation certificate is issued, if we apply with the receipt it only saves renunciation certificate shipping time.

This is the process explained to be by VFS officer, I will share my personal experience once I go through the process myself. I need to travel to India in January, so I took an e-visa for 1 year (applied after receiving the surrender certificate but before renunciation appointment, applied on : 09-Nov, granted on : 10-Nov). I’ve booked my renunciation appointment at VFS Goswell on 14-Nov. I will update the renunciation timeline thread and my process once i complete my appointment.

Good luck all.

[kuttyvimal]

Hi,

Can someone confirm that the new procedure now is:
- First obtain British passport
- surrender certificate and Indian passport
- renunciation
- OCI

Is that how it is? Why so convoluted and cumbersome I don’t know.

( I just received my British citizenship last week, passport in progress)

[hoot08]

i cannot figure it out either

I will attempt to do both applications on the same visit at VFS Goswell

If anyone haa details pls help

[hoot08]

Turns out you cannot even book 2 appointments on the same day

Can anyone confirm that surrender is the correct first application. then renounce follows? is one application independant to the other?

[amanjain861]

Turns out you cannot even book 2 appointments on the same day

Can anyone confirm that surrender is the correct first application. then renounce follows? is one application independant to the other?

Both the applications are independent of each other; however, since in Surrender process, they keep your Indian passport, so advisable is to Surrender first and then renounce. Plus, you keep Surrender fast. Renunciation takes somewhere b/w 30-60days.

Using Surrender you can apply for Indian visa, Renunciation is required only when OCI is to be applied as well.

[amanjain861]

Application Submitted Online : 18-Oct-2023.
Application & Documents Submitted : 07-Nov-2023 at VFS Leicester.
Application Status : 08-Nov-2023 – Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.
Application Status : 09-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate is under review at Indian Embassy
Application Status : 10-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate is granted and is available for issuance
Application Status : 11-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate has been printed
Delivery SMS : 13-Nov-2023 – DX delivery SMS received
Delivered : 14-Nov-2023 – DX delivered Surrender Certificate and Cancelled Indian Passport.

Documents :
1) Appointment letter print out.
2) Application form with Photo (2” inch X 2” inch) attached and signed on both the pages where needed.
3) VFS Declaration form.
4) Extra 1 Photo (2” inch X 2” inch) taken separately.
5) British Passport Original - Checked and returned at the VFS counter.
6) Naturalization Certificate Original - Checked and returned at the VFS counter.
7) Indian Passport Original - Retained and was told that it will be cancelled and delivered along with the passport surrender certificate. Paid for secure delivery at the VFS counter.
8 ) British Passport photocopy – Main page only self-attested.
9) Indian Passport photocopy – All used pages to see entry stamps (Only current passport) self-attested.
10) Naturalization Certificate photocopy - self-attested.

[kuttyvimal]

Thanks amanjain861

[imab]

Application Submitted Online : 17-Nov-2023.
Application & Documents Submitted : 20-Nov-2023 at VFS Goswell.
Application Status : 20-Nov-2023 – Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.
Application Status : 21-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate is under review at Indian Embassy
Application Status : 22-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate is granted and is available for issuance
Application Status : 23-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate has been printed
Delivery SMS : 24-Nov-2023 – DX delivery SMS received
Delivered : 27-Nov-2023 – DX delivered Surrender Certificate and Cancelled Indian Passport.

[imab]

When asked, I was informed that it is possible to apply for Passport Surrender & Renunciation on the same day. To do this, one can bypass the limitation of booking 1 appointment with 1 passport, by using 2 passports - say morning appointment with Indian passport and evening appointment with UK passport.

Anyways, I applied for Renunciation after receiving my surrender certificate. Also, Renunciation appointments are only available in the afternoon as someone from HCI comes to VFS Goswell to validate the oath. People who had taken an early afternoon slot (~ 3pm) for renunciation had to wait for the relevant personnel to arrive (~4pm).

[pangsjil]

Hi,

Surrendering my child's (14 years) indian passport.

Should the child be present in VFS office for surrendering passport? or i can submit all documents?

[kuttyvimal]

Hi,

Surrendering my child's (14 years) indian passport.

Should the child be present in VFS office for surrendering passport? or i can submit all documents?

Not necessary. That info is available on the surrender passport website already.

[adityagarg]

Me and my wife have an appointment to submit application for surrender of passport.
Can I submit the application on behalf of my wife.
We have a little one and it would be convenient if it can be done just by me.

I understand for renunciation both of us have to be present.

I tried checking the vfs site but couldn't get a clear direction either way.

[wotow1923]

Help please
I submitted my passport for surrender in July 2023 , but I still haven't received an update on its status. I have emailed the Embassy and VFS a number of times but haven't had success.

Does anyone have the direct contact details of someone at the Embassy who can help? It has reached the stage where this type of interaction is required.

[khaleesee]

Application Submitted Online : 18-Oct-2023.
Application & Documents Submitted : 07-Nov-2023 at VFS Leicester.
Application Status : 08-Nov-2023 – Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.
Application Status : 09-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate is under review at Indian Embassy
Application Status : 10-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate is granted and is available for issuance
Application Status : 11-Nov-2023 – Surrender Certificate has been printed
Delivery SMS : 13-Nov-2023 – DX delivery SMS received
Delivered : 14-Nov-2023 – DX delivered Surrender Certificate and Cancelled Indian Passport.

Documents :
1) Appointment letter print out.
2) Application form with Photo (2” inch X 2” inch) attached and signed on both the pages where needed.
3) VFS Declaration form.
4) Extra 1 Photo (2” inch X 2” inch) taken separately.
5) British Passport Original - Checked and returned at the VFS counter.
6) Naturalization Certificate Original - Checked and returned at the VFS counter.
7) Indian Passport Original - Retained and was told that it will be cancelled and delivered along with the passport surrender certificate. Paid for secure delivery at the VFS counter.
8 ) British Passport photocopy – Main page only self-attested.
9) Indian Passport photocopy – All used pages to see entry stamps (Only current passport) self-attested.
10) Naturalization Certificate photocopy - self-attested.

How do I obtain the VFS declaration form? I have everything else on the list. Thank you

[amanjain861]

You can take it from normal Google. Else, VFS folks also give it you at the VFs.

[rosek]

I recently submitted my Surrender Passport application at the VFS Centre in Hounslow, London, UK on 18/01/2024.

Unfortunately, I've encountered an obstacle in tracking the status of my application as it is not linked to my login. I had to initiate a new application at the center with the assistance of someone. When attempting to track the application via the VFS site using this link https://services.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/i ... pplication, on clicking "track your visa application status online", I encountered a "500- Internal Server error" which is a server error and they have to fix it. Since I am unable to track it, I am assuming it is still in progress status as I have not received any information from them.

I have two questions:

1. Can the surrender application process take more than 3 weeks, if yes, what is the maximum time it can take?
1. Is there any other method available to track the application status?

Thank you

[ST542016]

hi there, I am surrendering Indian passports for my kids. One of kid has two passport (one expired and one current).
My query is , do i have to have two separate application corresponding to each passport ?

Thanks in advance