Can I apply for an OCI card for my newborn if only one parent is of Indian origin?

One point worth checking is whether the parent qualifies through previous Indian citizenship or through another recognized Indian-origin category. Those routes aren't necessarily identical, so it's important to establish which one applies before preparing the documents.

I would also check the details across all the documents. The baby's name and date of birth should match the birth certificate and passport, while the parent's name and previous Indian passport details should be consistent with the supporting records.

If the parents have different surnames, or if a name changed after naturalisation or marriage, check whether additional evidence is needed.

For the UK application, use the official OCI portal and the current instructions from the relevant Indian mission. If anything about the birth certificate or surrender certificate is unclear, ask the application centre or mission before submitting.

Eligibility and documentation requirements can change, and the authorities may request additional evidence depending on the circumstances.

I would be careful not to rely entirely on what another family submitted, because the circumstances can be different.

The OCI scheme has specific eligibility categories for minor children, including children of certain eligible former Indian citizens. The authorities may need evidence showing the parent's previous Indian citizenship and the relationship between the parent and child.

For your situation, I'd keep these documents ready:

• Baby's full birth certificate showing both parents' names.
• Baby's valid British passport.
• Current passports of both parents.
• The Indian-origin parent's former Indian passport.
• Relevant citizenship and surrender documents, as applicable.
• Marriage certificate, if required by the current checklist.

I'm not certain whether an apostille is required for every UK-issued birth certificate in this situation, so I'd check the latest official instructions rather than pay for authentication unnecessarily.

Also, remember that an OCI card is not Indian citizenship. It provides specific benefits under the OCI scheme, subject to the applicable rules.

From what I understand, having only one Indian-origin parent doesn't automatically make a child ineligible. The important thing is whether that parent meets the OCI eligibility requirements.

I know of families where a parent became a British citizen after previously holding an Indian passport. In those cases, the child's eligibility needs to be checked under the rules applicable to children of former Indian citizens. It isn't necessarily a requirement that the parent still holds an Indian passport.

I would prepare the baby's birth certificate, passport, both parents' passport details, and the Indian-origin parent's previous Indian citizenship documents. The surrender certificate may also be relevant, depending on the application checklist.

Since you're applying in the UK, check the current instructions issued for applications submitted from there. Requirements for document authentication can differ depending on the document and the applicable procedure.

One thing I'd check before anything else is whether the baby's British passport has been issued. You should confirm the current application sequence and document requirements before submitting the OCI application.