Key takeaway
India does not allow dual citizenship. An Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires another country’s citizenship stops being an Indian citizen automatically. You must then surrender your Indian passport and obtain a surrender or renunciation certificate, which you will need for an OCI card or Indian visa. Using an Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship is an offence and can attract penalties.
How Indian citizenship ends
- By renunciation (section 8, Citizenship Act, 1955): an adult Indian citizen who is also a citizen of another country can make a declaration renouncing Indian citizenship. This route is mainly relevant where the person already holds another citizenship, for example by birth.
- By termination (section 9): an Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country ceases to be an Indian citizen from that date, without any application.
In practice, most NRIs who naturalise abroad lose Indian citizenship under section 9 on the date of naturalisation, and then formally surrender their Indian passport.
Renunciation certificate or surrender certificate?
Indian missions issue a certificate confirming that the Indian passport has been surrendered after acquisition of foreign citizenship. Terminology varies — “surrender certificate” or “renunciation certificate” — depending on the route and the period in which citizenship was acquired. Either way, it is the document Indian authorities ask for when you apply for an OCI card or an Indian visa.
How to apply from abroad
- Complete the online application for renunciation or surrender through the Government of India’s citizenship services portal, as directed by your Indian mission.
- Prepare the original Indian passport (even if expired), your foreign passport and naturalisation certificate, proof of address in your jurisdiction, and photographs.
- Submit the application and original Indian passport at the Indian mission or its authorised service centre for your jurisdiction, with the fee and any penalty.
- The mission cancels the Indian passport and issues the certificate.
Fees, penalties and the service provider differ by country and change from time to time. Check the website of the Indian embassy or consulate for where you live.
Penalties for late surrender or misuse
Holding or using an Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship is not permitted. Penalties are prescribed for failing to surrender the passport on time, and higher penalties apply if the Indian passport was used for travel after acquiring foreign citizenship. Disclose the facts accurately when applying.
Minors
A minor child of a person who renounces under section 8 also ceases to be an Indian citizen, with a right to resume citizenship within one year of attaining majority. Children who acquire foreign citizenship themselves follow the general rules. Parents should obtain surrender certificates for children too, before applying for their OCI cards.
What changes after you stop being a citizen
- You need an OCI card or a visa to visit India. See OCI cardholder rights.
- Your Indian property remains yours; FEMA rules for OCIs or foreign nationals of Indian origin then apply to future transactions.
- Bank accounts must reflect your new status; inform your banks.
- You can no longer vote in India.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my Indian passport as a souvenir?
The passport must be surrendered; the mission usually cancels it and may return the cancelled passport.
I became a US citizen years ago and never surrendered my passport. What now?
Apply for a surrender certificate now and pay the applicable penalty. Do not use the Indian passport.
Can I get Indian citizenship back later?
There is a procedure for registration as a citizen in specified cases, but it is not automatic and has residence and other conditions.
Need help?
LegalCops connects NRIs and OCIs with professionals for citizenship documentation and OCI issues. See NRI documentation services and OCI card legal issues.
Unsure about your citizenship paperwork?
Tell us when you naturalised and whether your Indian passport was used since.
Related guides
- OCI cardholder rights in India
- OCI cardholders and Indian family law
- Apostille vs consular attestation
- All NRI legal guides
References
- Citizenship Act, 1955, sections 8 and 9; Citizenship Rules, 2009 — India Code
- Passports Act, 1967
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Indian citizenship online services
- Websites of Indian embassies and consulates (fees, penalties and service providers)
Last reviewed: November 2026.
The information provided is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Applicable laws and procedures may vary depending on the facts, jurisdiction, and circumstances of each matter. Consult a qualified legal professional before taking action.
