Who is the citizen of India?

Do you think every person born in India is its citizen? This ideology used to consider absolutely fine between the decades of 1950s & 1980s. The citizenship law of that decade stated-“every India-born person is a citizen of India”.

But later in July 1, 1987, this law underwent revision. As per amendment, that person would not be eligible to claim citizenship of India unless either of the parents is the Indian.

Once again, this law was refined. The amendment occurred on December 7, 2004. What it stated that the person would be considered as the citizen of this country by birth if either of his/her parent is the Indian. This clause will be valid even though either of his/her parent would be an illicit immigrant.

Who are illicit immigrants?

These two criteria define who the illicit immigrant is:

• The person who crosses the territory of India without valid passport and visa.
• The person who travels with valid passport and visa but overstays the limited time of visa.

What is Certificate of Indian Nationality or Domicile Certificate?

The certificate of Indian nationality is also known as citizenship certificate or domicile certificate. It certifies that the recipient is the citizen of this country.

Any foreigner can also obtain it provided that he/she has surrendered the previous country’s citizenship. And also, he/she has been ordinarily residing in India for 12 years continuously. If the foreigner is living here for 12 months preceding the date of application of this certificate and the rest 11 years have been aggregated in 14 years, he would be eligible to obtain this certificate. It is also known as “Citizenship of India by Naturalization”.

Who can get this certificate? 

The following individuals can apply for registration of their citizenship certificate or the certificate of Indian nationality:

• The one who takes birth to the Indian citizens.
• Either of whose parents has been living in India since it was undivided and the whole family is living here for 7 years ordinarily.
• The (foreigner) one who is married to the Indian national and is living here for 5 years or more.
• Citizens of Singapore and Canada who lived here for 5 years and 8 years respectively.
• The one who was born to Indian citizens and living anywhere in the world.

Steps to get citizenship certificate online:

1. By third party:

• Contact the third party NRI services provider, like S2NRI.
• Get registered with the site: https://www.services2nri.com/ and then, login.
• Send inquiry to apply for ‘Certificate of Indian Nationality’.
• The ‘thank you message’ will be delivered with the short note of tuning back shortly.
• Attach the required document as mentioned in the next mail. The list of supporting document is given below.
• The processing can be 14 days to one month long for verification.
• Once all processes would be done, the citizenship certificate would be delivered via email.

2. By government website:

• Visit the official government website: http://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/ic_form_public.aspx
• Choose the consistent option from the 8 popping hyperlinks.
• Click on the ‘How to Apply Online’ hyperlink at the bottom.
• Fill the popped up form.
• Pen down the ‘Temporary Application ID’ mentioned at the top.
• Click ‘Save’.
• Go to ‘Back’ page.
• Click on the next tab that will land you to the page with title: “Details of Family Members Staying in India with Applicant”.
• Likewise, open the tab ‘Criminal Proceeding’ and fill the details.
• Then, go to the last tab ‘Photo/Description’ to upload your photo.
• Finally, click on the ‘Submit to Ministry’ tab at the bottom.
• The MHA file number will pop up. Store it safely for future reference.
• Then, upload window will emerge. Upload the required document, like scanned copy of passport & visa.
• Click on print application tab later to take out its hard copy.
• Pay through Challan in original worth INR 500 at SDM office or Deputy Commissioner.

Documents required for domicile or nationality certificate:

1. Application form that is duly filled and self-attested.
2. Valid passport or ‘Residential Permit’.
3. Aadhaar card if it spells the name similar to the applicant’s birth certificate (but it’s not mandatory).
4. Self-declaration in case the person is major by age or above 18 years of age.
5. Digitally photograph that is captured at the time of application submission or verification.
6. Supporting documents, like Utility Bill
7. Birth certificate by naturalization.
8. Alternatively, the person born before January 26, 1950 can submit:

• Birth proof
• Passport

9. The person born on or after July 1, 1987 can submit:

• Birth certificate
• Parent’s birth certificate, if either of the parents was an illicit immigrant when the applicant was born.

10. The person born on or after December 7, 2004 can submit:

• Birth certificate
• Parent’s citizenship proof, if either of the parents was living illicitly in India at the time of applicant’s birth in India.

Checklist of approved citizenship proofs:

• Birth certificate
• Voter ID card
• Passport
• Caste certificate (probably accepted, depends on the state officials)

Checklist of probable citizenship proofs:

• Driving licence
• Aadhaar card
• PAN card