🪶 Step-by-Step Guide: Renouncing Indian Citizenship at the Embassy (for Belgian Residents)
Renouncing Indian citizenship can feel like a complicated process — but with the right steps, it becomes quite straightforward. Here’s a clear breakdown of the process, based on the latest experience shared by applicants at the Indian Embassy in Belgium.
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🖥️ Step 1: Fill the Online Form
Visit the official website:
👉 https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Renounce/
• Complete the renunciation form online.
• Make the payment of ₹8,000 INR directly through the portal.
• Once the payment is done, print out the completed form for submission.
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✍️ Step 2: Signing the Forms
• Page 1: Sign this page yourself.
• Page 2: Must be signed by another individual who:
• Is an Indian Passport or OCI Card holder.
• Is not a family member.
• If you don’t have anyone available, the Embassy can arrange a witness over the counter.
• 💡 Tip: It’s best to sign both pages in front of the Embassy officer to avoid any reprints or signature mismatches.
thanks Dipto Sahoo
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🧾 Step 3: Fill the Miscellaneous Form
At the Embassy, you’ll be given an additional Miscellaneous Services Form to complete.
This will include:
• A passport-size photograph
• Your local Belgian address and your Indian address
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📄 Step 4: Documents to Carry
Make sure to bring originals and one printout or photocopy of the following:
1. Last Indian Passport
2. Belgian Resident Card
3. Belgian Passport
4. Proof of Payment (₹8,000 INR receipt)
5. Belgian Nationality Certificate (issued by your local commune)
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📨 Step 5: Acknowledgement & Follow-up
• The Embassy usually provides an acknowledgement form within 2 days of submission.
• If you don’t receive it, remind them or visit in person — it’s important to have this document since it’s technically illegal to travel to India on a Belgian Passport & e-Visa until the renunciation is officially acknowledged.
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⏳ Step 6: Completion of the Process
After about 2 to 2.5 months, you’ll receive a confirmation that the renunciation process is complete.
thanks Dipta Sahoo
Thanks Rajesh and Dipta for the help with these instructions. I submitted the documents in the Antwerp India Association office in Antwerp and got the acknowledgment in 4-5 days. Ms. Sangita at the office was quite helpful in attaching the photo, making sure the documents were in order even though it was near closing time on a Friday. She did tell us that they preferred if we could have come during the 1st half. Subsequently I also applied for the e-Visa and received the same in 2 days.
Hello Rajesh,
Thanks for detailing the process.
But I have a question – do they keep the Indian passport when you apply for renunciation, or do they keep it only when we ask for Surrender Certificate?
I didn’t remember but why you need Indian passport. You shouldn’t use it
Thank you Rajesh for the detailed article on the renunciation process.
Additionally, we should also consider the following:
1. Child’s nationality certificate (if applicable)
2. Miscellaneous form for children (including a photo) and clarification that their presence is not required during submission