Minor OCI Application Delayed Due to Parent Documents: Experiences

I would first check whether the document request was actually from VFS or the Indian Mission and whether there is a reference number in the email.

For my child's application, we received a request for an additional parent document and initially thought it was a scam because the email came after VFS had already accepted the application. We verified it through the official contact channel before responding.

After we submitted the document, the application continued processing.

Another thing worth checking is whether the parent document you provided actually shows the same name as the one entered in the OCI application. Older Indian passports can sometimes have a different spelling or ordering of names than current U.S. passports.

The VFS U.S. minor OCI checklist also makes clear that parent-related documentation is part of the application rather than just the child's passport and birth certificate.

I'd avoid making changes to the application unless the Mission specifically asks for them. Just make sure you've complied with the document request and monitor the official status.

Our experience was different. We weren't asked for another document, but our daughter's OCI application still took several weeks longer than we expected.

One thing I learned is that the parent's documents can be important even though the child is the actual OCI applicant. The application has to establish the child's relationship with the parent and the parent's eligibility/Indian origin.

For our daughter, we submitted her full birth certificate showing both parents. We also submitted the parent's Indian passport and OCI documentation, depending on the parent's current citizenship.

The current OCI FAQ specifically lists a child's birth certificate as evidence of the relationship and refers to Indian passports and OCI/PIO documents as possible evidence for establishing the relevant eligibility.

I'd be careful about comparing your situation with a friend's checklist. If your family has a name variation, a parent who changed citizenship, a previous passport, or a document issued in a different name, the Consulate may want additional evidence.

Also, don't send random documents just because someone on a forum says they submitted them. Follow the specific request you received and keep copies of what you send.

We had almost the same thing happen with our son's application. The issue wasn't with his passport or birth certificate. It was one of the parents' documents establishing Indian origin.

Our application had already been forwarded to the Consulate when we received an email asking for another document. We uploaded what they requested, and then the status stayed unchanged for a while.

The frustrating part is that there wasn't a new status saying “documents received.” We were basically checking the OCI portal every day.

In our case, the application eventually moved forward without another request. So I wouldn't automatically assume that the application has been rejected just because the status remains Under Process after responding to a document request.

The official OCI FAQ says the applicant may be asked for additional documents depending on the circumstances. It also explains that documents establishing the relationship to the relevant Indian citizen/OCI holder and evidence of Indian origin can be important for eligibility.

I'd keep the email requesting the document and your submission confirmation. If you eventually need to contact the Mission, having that correspondence makes it much easier to explain what happened.