OCI Application · Updated Dec 2024

FBI Background Check
Apostille for OCI Application

As of December 30, 2024, all foreign-issued documents in OCI applications must carry a physical apostille. VFS Global explicitly does not accept e-apostilles. Here's what you need and how to get it done from India.

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📄 Physical apostille (not e-apostille)🏛️ US Dept of State certified✈️ DHL delivery to India
Rule Change

What Changed on December 30, 2024

Before December 30, 2024, notarization was sometimes accepted for foreign-issued documents in OCI applications. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) updated OCI application requirements: all documents issued outside India must now carry a physical Hague Convention apostille. VFS Global has added this explicitly to their checklist.

VFS Global OCI Checklist (official language)

"E-apostille on the full version birth certificate is not accepted, physical paper based apostille is required."

This language applies to all foreign-issued documents — including the FBI Identity History Summary.

✅ Accepted

  • Physical paper apostille certificate attached to the original document
  • Issued by the competent US authority with official seal and signature
  • Original FBI Identity History Summary bearing the apostille

❌ Not Accepted

  • A digitally signed PDF from a records office
  • An e-apostille — even if technically a valid Hague apostille
  • Notarization alone (without physical apostille)
  • Photocopies or scans of the original document
Authority Routing

Federal vs. State — Getting It Right the First Time

The issuing authority determines the apostille authority. Getting this wrong costs 2–4 weeks.

DocumentIssued ByApostilled ByCommon Mistake
FBI Identity History SummaryFBI (federal agency)US Dept of StateSending to state SoS — rejected
US Birth CertificateState vital recordsSecretary of State (that state)—
US Marriage CertificateState vital recordsSecretary of State (that state)—
US Naturalization CertificateUSCIS (federal)US Dept of StateSending to state SoS — rejected

The costliest mistake: Sending an FBI PCC to a state Secretary of State. They have no jurisdiction over federal documents — they'll return it, costing 2–4 weeks. Veritas knows the routing. We get it right the first time.

How It Works

From India to Apostilled Document — 5 Steps

$175

Standard

~16 days total

$225

Rush

~11 days total

$275

Same Day

~8 days total

01

WhatsApp us

Tell us you need FBI PCC apostille for OCI. We confirm exactly what to send and the price.

02

Pay and get our US address

We invoice via WhatsApp. Pay by UPI, NEFT, or wire. We share our exact US mailing address.

03

Courier your original FBI PCC from India

Ship via DHL Express from any Indian city. ~3 business days transit. Send us your tracking number.

04

We review, notarize, and submit to US Dept of State

We walk your document into the DC office in person. 2–10 business days for apostille. We photograph it and send to you on WhatsApp.

05

We DHL the apostilled document to your India door

Physical apostille on original document, shipped DHL Express. ~3 business days to India.

Checklist

OCI Apostille Checklist for US-Based Applicants

Documents needing apostille (foreign-issued)

FBI Identity History Summary

→ US Dept of State apostille · Veritas handles this

US Birth Certificate (for US-born applicants or US-born children)

→ Secretary of State of issuing state

US Marriage Certificate (if applicable)

→ Secretary of State of issuing state

Any other document issued outside India

→ Relevant foreign authority

Supporting documents (no apostille needed)

Indian passport (previous)

Indian-issued, no apostille needed

Indian birth certificate / name documents

Indian-issued, no apostille needed

Parent's OCI card (for child applicants)

Already issued by Indian authorities

US passport

No apostille required — just copy

FAQ

OCI Apostille Questions

Can the Indian Consulate or VFS Global apostille my FBI check?
No. VFS Global and Indian Consulates are Indian government offices — they cannot apostille US-issued documents. Only the US government can apostille a US document. For the FBI Identity History Summary (a federal document), only the US Department of State can issue the apostille.
My FBI PCC is from 2022. Can I still get it apostilled for OCI?
The FBI PCC can be apostilled regardless of when it was issued. However, for OCI purposes, the Indian consulate may consider an older PCC stale. Most practitioners recommend getting a fresh FBI PCC within 12 months of your OCI application date. Message us on WhatsApp and we'll advise based on your specific situation.
What if I have an e-apostille on my birth certificate? Does that count?
No. VFS Global's OCI checklist explicitly states that e-apostilles are not accepted. You need a physical paper apostille attached to the original document. If you received an e-apostille from a state's digital system, you'll need to apply for a physical apostille instead.
Do I need to visit any office in India for this?
No. Veritas is a remote/courier-based service. You courier the original document from India to our US office, and we DHL it back apostilled. No consulate visits, no US travel required.
Can Veritas also apostille my US birth certificate for OCI?
US birth certificates are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state where the birth was registered — not by the US Dept of State. We can guide you on the state apostille process and, in some cases, coordinate it on your behalf. Contact us on WhatsApp with the state of birth.

Also see our full OCI Apostille Guide 2025 covering all OCI documents.

Ready to Get Your FBI PCC Apostilled for OCI?

Physical apostille on the original document, delivered to your door in India. Message us on WhatsApp to start.

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