Newborn OCI Document Checklist

Interactive checklist and step-by-step guide to apply for an Indian OCI card for babies born in Canada.

⚠️ Consular Rules for Naturalized Citizens:If one or both parents were already Canadian citizens at the time of the child's birth, you MUST provide the Indian Passport Surrender Certificate (Renunciation Certificate) of that parent. Indian law prohibits dual citizenship; without this certificate, the child's OCI application will be rejected by BLS.

🆕 Mandatory In-Person Biometric Submission (Effective April 5, 2026):All OCI applications in Canada must now be submitted in person at a BLS International center. Postal/mail submissions are no longer accepted. You must book an appointment at a BLS center to provide the child's biometrics in person. Applications must first be completed online at ociservices.gov.in. Standard OCI fee: approximately CAD $376 (includes base fee + ICWF charge). Verify exact fees on the BLS Canada website before your appointment.

Family Profile

Parents' Citizenship Status

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BLS Submission Centers

Center	Address
Brampton	251 Rutherford Rd S, L6W 3R7
Toronto	1448 Lawrence Ave E, M4A 2V6
Surrey	8140 120 St, V3W 3N4
Calgary	100 4 Ave SW, T2P 3N2
Vancouver	580 Hornby St, V6C 3B6

Required Documents (BLS Folder)

Check each document once you have added it to your submission envelope:

Child's valid Canadian Passport (with at least 6 months validity).
Provincial Long-Form Birth Certificate showing parent names (Original + clean photocopy).
Parents' valid Indian Passports + copy of first and last pages (must show valid status in Canada).
Parents' valid Canadian residency status documents (PR Cards, Work Permits, or Study Permits).
Proof of Address in Canada (Utility bill, driver's license, or bank statement matching current jurisdiction).
Completed OCI Online Application Form with child's left thumbprint (for boys) or right thumbprint (for girls) in the signature box.
Two OCI specification photos: digital upload (5x5 cm ICAO format) during online application, AND 2 physical prints (5x5 cm, white background, square crop, professional prints) for the BLS submission folder.
Notarized Parental Authorization Form — signed by BOTH parents — consenting to the child's OCI application.
Registered Marriage Certificate of the parents (original + photocopy — mandatory per BLS 2026 requirements).

Application Steps

Step 1: Obtain Long-Form Canadian Birth Certificate

Apply for a long-form birth certificate from your provincial registry (e.g., ServiceOntario, Vital Statistics BC). This long-form version is mandatory because it displays the parents' full names and details. A short-form certificate will be rejected by BLS.

Step 2: Obtain Child's Canadian Passport

Apply for a Canadian Passport for your newborn. A guarantor is required to sign the application form and photos. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks. The physical passport is required for the OCI application.

Step 3: Register Birth with the CGI (Consulate General of India)

For the child to be eligible for OCI, you must register the birth online on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) portal. Important: Birth registration must be completed within 1 year of birth, otherwise it requires special permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.

Step 4: BLS International OCI Submission

Prepare the physical OCI application folder and book a submission appointment at your local BLS center (Brampton, Toronto, Surrey, Vancouver, Calgary). Hand-deliver the folders or mail them using BLS-approved courier options.