The parental authorization form is a consent document used for minor applicants under 18 years of age. This form proves that the parents or legally authorized guardians consent to the issuance of an OCI card But the document deserves extra attention.
A small mistake in the child’s details, a missing signature, an incorrect form, or improper notarization can cause delays or lead to the application being returned. So it is important to know before applying to make the process hassle free.
Keep reading this Guide to know how to fill the OCI Parental Authorization Form, what documents you should keep ready, who needs to sign it, when notarization is required, and what to check before submitting the application.
What Is the OCI Parental Authorization Form?
The OCI Parental Authorization Form for minors under 18 years confirms that the parents or legally authorized guardians consent to the issuance of an OCI card for the child.
For example,
What we have seen that the VFS Global USA parental authorization form requires parents or guardians to provide the child’s details and authorize the OCI application along with required documents, such as the parents’ ID, the child’s birth certificate, or custody documents, which may also be required depending on the case.
Why Is the Parental Authorization Form Important?
The authorities need evidence that the child’s parents or legal guardians have authorized the application. Here are the reasons why Parental Authorization Form Important:
- Both parents are listed on the child’s birth certificate.
- The child is applying for an OCI card for the first time.
- The parents live in a foreign country.
- The parents are divorced or separated.
- Only one parent has legal custody.
- One parent is deceased.
- The child has been legally adopted.
Note: The exact supporting documents depend on the situation and the jurisdiction where the OCI application is submitted.
Documents: What You Should Keep Ready
Before filling out the OCI parental authorization form, Keep the document ready, it helps to make the process easier: Here is complete Document list:
Basic documents may include:
- Minor’s current foreign passport
- Parents’ current passports or government-issued identification
- Child’s birth certificate
- Parents’ OCI cards or Indian passports, where applicable
- Proof of the parents’ current legal status, if required by the applicable checklist
- Proof of address, where required
- Marriage certificate of the parents, if applicable
- Legal custody order in divorce or separation cases
- Death certificate if one parent is deceased
- Adoption documents in applicable cases
Download the correct form from the Official Website
Important: Do not download a random parental consent form from a third-party website.
VFS specifically warns applicants that incorrect parental authorization forms are a common issue and advises applicants to use the OCI-specific form provided through the VFS website for their jurisdiction.
How to Fill the OCI Parental Authorization Form Step by Step
Here is the 6 steps you should follow to fill OCI Parental Authorization Form:
Step 1: Download the Official Form
- Download the standard Parental Authorization Form for Minors directly from the official VFS Global Website or Indian Embassy/Consulate website.
- Take a clear, high-quality printout on standard A4/US Letter paper.
Step 2: Fill in the Parent / Legal Guardian Information
- Father’s Name: Enter the full legal name of the father next to Mr. exactly as it appears on his current passport.
- Mother’s Name: Enter the full legal name of the mother next to Mrs. as shown on her current passport.
- Capacity: Write or select Parents or Legal Guardians.
The names of the parents should be consistent with the documents being submitted with the OCI application.
VFS identifies mismatched names and signatures among the documents as common reasons for applications to be delayed or returned.
Step 3: Enter the Minor Child’s Details
Start with the child’s information.You may need to provide the following details:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Passport details
- Current residential address
Use the child’s passport exactly
The child’s name should be entered exactly as it appears on the current passport and OCI application.
For example, if the passport says:
First Name: Aarav
Last Name: Sharma
Do not change the order or spelling when completing the parental authorization form.
Also check:
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Residential address
A mismatch between documents can create unnecessary questions during processing.
Step 4: Complete the Parental Declaration
The declaration is the main part of the document.
The current VFS USA form, for example, states that the parents or guardians authorize the issuance of an OCI card for their child. It asks for the child’s name, date of birth and residential address, followed by the parents’ signatures.
Read the declaration carefully before signing.
Do not alter the wording unless the applicable authority specifically instructs you to do so.
Step 5: Add Location and Date
- Place: State the city and country where the form is being notarized.
- Date: Write the date on which you and the Notary Public are signing the document.
Step 6: Sign the Form in Front of a Notary Public
Important: Do NOT sign the form in advance. Both parents must sign the document in the physical presence of a certified Notary Public.
- Father’s Signature: Signed in front of the Notary.
- Mother’s Signature: Signed in front of the Notary.
- Notary Seal & Stamp: The Notary Public will sign, stamp, and apply their official seal to authorize the document.
Make sure the date is accurate and consistent with the notarization, where applicable.
Signature and Thumb Impression Rules for Minor OCI Applications.
For a minor OCI application, the parents must sign the Parental Authorization Form as required by the applicable OCI/VFS guidelines. The child’s signature or thumb impression requirements can vary by age and jurisdiction, so follow the instructions given on the current form.
Before submitting, check:
| Item | What to check |
| Minor’s details | Match the passport and OCI application |
| Father’s signature | Sign in the designated area |
| Mother’s signature | Sign in the designated area |
| Signature consistency | Match the relevant identification/application documents |
| Thumb impression | Follow the current jurisdiction-specific OCI instructions |
| Date | Enter the actual signing date |
| Place | Enter the place where the document is signed |
| Notarization | Complete it if required by the applicable checklist |
Always follow the latest instructions from the relevant Indian Mission, Consulate, or VFS centre, as requirements may differ by country.
Read also-
- Minor OCI Application for US Born Child: Documents, Fees & Process
- How to Check OCI Miscellaneous Application Status Online- 5 Steps
Is Notarization Required for the OCI Parental Authorization Form?
Yes, In many cases the parental authorization form must be notarized.
For example, the current VFS USA OCI documentation specifically requires the original parental authorization form to be notarized for minor OCI applicants. It also states that the signatures should match the signatures appearing on the relevant documents.
VFS’s FAQ also states that a parental authorization affidavit must be notarized before it is uploaded to the Government portal where such an affidavit is required.
However, applicants should not assume that the exact notarization process is identical in every country.
Before visiting a notary, check:
- Whether notarization is required for your jurisdiction.
- Whether both parents must appear before the notary.
- Whether copies of passports or IDs must also be notarized.
- Whether the original notarized document must be submitted.
- Whether any additional witness or certification is required.
Follow the current checklist issued for your application centre.
What If the Parents Are Divorced or Separated?
If the parent is Divorced or separated, a single parent can simply sign the OCI parental authorization form alone.
The relevant legal custody documents may need to be submitted.
The current VFS USA checklist states that one parent may sign in certain circumstances where the parents are divorced and only one parent has legal custody of the minor, subject to the stated conditions and supporting court documentation.
The Government of India’s OCI FAQ also states that, where parents are divorced, the court order should specifically establish legal custody with the parent applying for the child’s OCI card. If the order is in a foreign language, an authorized English or Hindi translation is required.
Documents may include:
- Divorce decree
- Legal custody order
- Relevant court order
- Authorized translation, if required
Do not leave out custody documentation simply because one parent has completed the application.
What If One Parent Has Passed Away?
If one parent is deceased, the surviving parent may be able to complete the minor’s application without the deceased parent’s signature.
However, supporting evidence is generally required.
For example, the current VFS USA minor OCI checklist states that a copy of the deceased parent’s death certificate should be provided where applicable.
Make sure the death certificate is submitted in the format required by the relevant jurisdiction.
What If One Parent Is Not Available to Sign?
This situation needs to be handled according to the rules of the applicable Indian Mission or VFS centre.
Do not simply sign on behalf of the other parent.
Depending on the circumstances, the authority may require additional documentation, such as:
- A separate consent document
- Notarized authorization
- Passport/ID copy of the unavailable parent
- Legal custody documentation
- Other supporting evidence
The safest approach is to check the current checklist for your jurisdiction before submitting the application.
Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using the Wrong Form
Don’t use an old or incorrect parental authorization form. Always use the latest OCI-specific form for your country.
2. Name or Details Don’t Match
The child’s and parents’ names, date of birth, and passport numbers should match the documents exactly.
3. Missing Parent’s Signature
If both parents are required to sign, make sure both signatures are included. If one parent cannot sign, provide the required supporting documents.
4. Signature Doesn’t Match
The parents’ signatures should be consistent with the signatures on their passport, ID, or OCI application.
5. Forgetting Notarization
If notarization is required in your jurisdiction, make sure the form is notarized before submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out the OCI parental authorization form digitally?
The form may be completed using the method permitted by the applicable jurisdiction and form instructions. However, the required signatures must be provided according to the current instructions.
Do not assume that typing a parent’s name electronically is the same as providing a required signature.
Always check the instructions accompanying the current form.
Which thumb impression is required for a minor OCI application?
There is no reason to rely on a generic thumb-impression rule from an unrelated OCI checklist. Requirements can depend on the current form and jurisdiction.
If your applicable OCI instructions specify a thumb impression for the child, follow those instructions exactly.
Do both parents have to sign the OCI parental authorization form?
Yes, for a standard minor OCI application, both parents are generally required to sign.
There can be exceptions, such as certain legal custody situations or where one parent is deceased. Supporting documentation is required in such cases.
What happens if one parent cannot sign?
Do not sign for the other parent.
Check the applicable Indian Mission or VFS checklist to determine what additional authorization or legal documentation is required for your specific situation.
Does the parental authorization form need to be notarized?
This depends on the jurisdiction and current requirements. For example, the current VFS USA OCI checklist requires the parental authorization form for a minor to be notarized and submitted in original.
Can I use a parental authorization form downloaded from another website?
No, We cannot recommend the use of form download from other Websites. It is better to use the current form supplied by the official source applicable to your jurisdiction.
VFS specifically advises applicants not to use parental authorization forms obtained from other sources because using an incorrect form can cause processing issues.
Does the child need to visit the VFS centre?
It depends on the jurisdiction and current application process.
For example, VFS USA states that minors do not need to visit the Indian Consular Application Centre and may be represented by a parent or legal guardian, while other jurisdictions can have different procedures.
Always follow the instructions of the centre handling your application.
Final Checklist Before You Submit
The OCI parental authorization form is not complicated, but accuracy matters.
Before submitting, take a few minutes to compare the form against the child’s passport, parents’ identification documents and the current OCI checklist. Make sure the correct form has been used, all required signatures are present, the information matches across documents, and notarization has been completed if required.
If your case involves divorce, sole custody, adoption, a deceased parent, or another unusual family situation, don’t treat it like a standard two-parent application. Review the specific documentary requirements before sending the application.
For the latest requirements, always refer to the Government of India’s OCI portal and the VFS/Indian Mission instructions applicable to your country. Requirements and local submission procedures can change, so the current jurisdiction-specific checklist should take priority over older articles or generic online advice.
We hope this guide has covered the basic details you need to fill out the OCI Parental Authorization Form for a minor. You can follow these steps and double-check everything with your documents before submitting. Thanks for reading, and we hope this guide makes your OCI application a little easier!
