RENUNCIATION CERTIFICATE

Under the Indian Citizenship Act, persons of Indian origin are not allowed dual citizenship. Therefore, if you have ever held an Indian passport, later became a citizen of the United States and now hold a US passport, it is mandatory that you renounce your Indian citizenship and get your Indian passport cancelled immediately thereafter.

It is also essential that you obtain a Certificate of Renunciation of Indian Citizenship from the Consulate of India, before you apply for the Indian Visa.

A stamp of "cancelled due to acquiring foreign nationality” in your Indian passport is essential to apply for your Indian Visa. If your Indian passports simply carries the "cancelled” stamp, it is not acceptable proof that you have renounced your Indian citizenship.

FEES FOR RENUNCIATION CERTIFICATE

• If you had your Indian passport cancelled upon acquiring US citizenship on or before May 31, 2010, you do not need a surrender certificate and no further action is necessary.
• If you became a citizen of the United States before June 1, 2010, applicable fee: $25
• If you became a citizen of the United States before June 1, 2010, but your US passport was issued after June 1, 2010, applicable fee: $25
• If you became a citizen of the United States after June 1, 2010, applicable fee: $25
• If you became a citizen of the United States ten years or more prior, applicable fee: $25

PENALTIES FOR MISUSE OF INDIAN PASSPORT

Use of Indian passport after obtaining US citizenship is illegal and subject to penalties. So as US citizen, if you have ever travelled using your Indian passport or availed miscellaneous consular services, the following penalties will be charged by the Indian Consulate before you can receive Certificate of Renunciation:

• If your last Indian passport expired after January 1, 2005 and more than three years have passed since acquiring US citizenship, and if you did not formally renounce your Indian citizenship, a penalty of $250 will apply. This penalty is waived if your last Indian passport expired before January 1, 2005. 
• Additional penalty of $250 will be charged for each case of misuse of the Indian passport for travel after 3 months of acquiring US citizenship, up to a maximum penalty of $1,250.
• A penalty of $250 will be charged for each time you obtained consular or miscellaneous services using your Indian passport, after acquiring US citizenship.
• Another penalty of $500 will be charged if you renewed your Indian passport after obtaining US citizenship.
• There is no penalty if your Indian passport was lost, damaged or surrendered to the government of another country.

The above charges must be paid in addition to other visa application and renunciation fees.