High Commission of India, Accra, Ghana

Registration of Birth

High Commission of India

Accra

(Consular Wing)

PROCEDURE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION OF BIRTH

Overview of Citizenship Act, 1955 and amendments made there-under:

The Indian Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955) and the Citizenship Rules were framed in 1956. The Citizenship Act, 1955 was amended extensively in 2003. Citizenship is a matter dealt with by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the Government of India (www.mha.gov.in).

As per the Indian Citizenship Act of 1955 (amended in 2003), an individual can obtain Indian citizenship by one or more of the following means:

Citizenship by birth: Every person born in India on or after 26.1.1950 but before the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, where both the parents are citizens of India or one of whose parents is a citizen of India and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of birth, shall be a citizen of India by birth.
Citizenship by descent: Every person born outside India shall be a citizen of India by descent if both the parents or either of them is an Indian citizen, not being an illegal migrant, provided his/her birth is registered at an Indian Mission/Post abroad within one year of the birth. After one year period birth, permission of MHA is required.
Citizenship by registration: MHA may, on an application made in this behalf, register as a citizen of India any person, not being an illegal migrant, if he/she belongs to any categories viz.,
- A person of Indian origin who is resident in India for 7 years, before making the application;
- A person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in any country or place outside undivided India.
- A person who is married to an Indian citizen and is ordinarily resident in India for 7 years before making the application.
- Minor children of persons who are citizens of India.
- A person of full age and capacity whose parents are registered as Indian citizens under clause 5(a) or 6(1) of the Act.
- A person of full age and capacity who, or either of his parents was earlier a citizen of independent India, and has been residing in India, for one year immediately before making the application.
- A person of full age and capacity who has been registered as an Overseas Citizen of India for 5 years, and who has been residing in India for two years before making the application.
Citizenship by naturalization: A person of full age and capacity can apply to MHA for citizenship by naturalization, in the prescribed form, under the provisions of Third Schedule to the Act.

REGISTRATION OF BIRTH & ISSUE OF PASSPORT TO NEW BORN CHILD

As per the provisions of Section 4(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 – Birth of every child born abroad should be registered with the Consulate, within one year from the date of birth of the child. Only after registration of birth as an Indian citizen, the child becomes a citizen of India and eligible for Passport or any other services rendered to Indian citizens. Accordingly, every birth of the child, born in Ghana should be registered with the High Commission of India, Accra within a period of one year.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India who administers the matters related to citizenship made it mandatory for online Registration of Birth of all the child born abroad. The detailed instructions can be seen at:

Follow the instructions carefully as provided on the website (Eligibility Criteria & Required documents) and complete the procedure for submission of application online:

Each online application form is meant for one person only. Separate application has to be filed for each child.
The online form should be filled in Block/Capital letters.
Furnish information exactly in the manner asked for in the forms, especially the names, address, and date of birth. This should match with the Birth Certificate of the child issued by the local authority.
Applicants are required to verify the application details before submitting the online application.
Once the online application form is submitted by the applicant, then further modifications are not allowed. Hence applicants are requested to check and validate the details before submitting the online application form.
Applicant needs to upload a passport-size photograph of the child and the signatures of both the parents (as mentioned in the weblink).
Applicant needs to upload the requisite documents (as listed below) on the website. The uploaded documents should be in pdf format only.
At the end after Final Submission of application, the complete form will be shown with the Photograph of child & signature of Parent. Take print out of the completed application having MHA File Number. Keep one copy of this application for future reference.
The applicant shall take the print out of the online application form with MHA File number. The application along with the requisite supporting documents as mentioned below (both original and copies) is to be submitted to the High Commission.

The documents to be uploaded are:

Original Birth Certificate issued by the local authorities
Copy of the passport of both parents (self-attested: first, last and Ghanaian visa/RP)
Copy of parent’s marriage certificate (in case spouse name is not in passport)
Passport size photograph of child

The documents to be submitted along with the printed application are:

A Miscellaneous Service Form with AFFIDAVIT (Registration of New born child in Ghana) by both the parents individually (separate copy by father and mother) declaring that the minor child does not hold the passport of any other country should be submitted with the Birth Registration online Application form.

Physical application is to be submitted personally by both/either of the parent(s) at the High Commission. If the applicant desires to apply for the passport of the child, then please refer to the Passport section of this website. There will be a separate fee for Registration of Birth of Child for Indian Citizenship and Passport Services.

NOTE

Original documents to be shown while submission of Passport Application for minor child.

In case one of the parent of child is non-Indian, leave the column in the online application seeking Mother’s/Father’s details regarding Indian citizenship i.e., Citizen of India by; Citizen of India by Section; Certificate No.; & Certificate No.

At least one of the Parent’s passports must be having the spouse name, showing mother/father name of the child.