Houston OCI packet.

O

obajaj

Registered Users (C)
Hi folks,

I'm preparing my OCI packet right now.
My wife, myself and my 3 year old daughter (who already has a PIO card) are applying.

1) Is the $20 for return mailing required PER APPLICANT? (So, $60 for 3 applicants?)
2) Are the application forms (Parts A and B) to be submitted in duplicate PER APPLICANT or just a duplicate set of applications for all 3 applicants? (So, total 2 copies or total 6 copies of the forms?)
3) Should I prepare separate envelopes/packets for each applicant or just combine them all into 1 packet?
4) Should I supply 3 separate self addressed return envelopes or just a single return envelope for all 3 applicants?
5) Is it better if a prepare separate cashier's/certified checks for each applicant or combine them all into 1 check?
6) How are the documents supposed to be "self attested"? Does one simply sign one's name? How does a 3 year old baby attest her documents? (Or do one of the parents do it?)

Thanks for your help.
 
obajaj said:
Hi folks,

I'm preparing my OCI packet right now.
My wife, myself and my 3 year old daughter (who already has a PIO card) are applying.

1) Is the $20 for return mailing required PER APPLICANT? (So, $60 for 3 applicants?)
2) Are the application forms (Parts A and B) to be submitted in duplicate PER APPLICANT or just a duplicate set of applications for all 3 applicants? (So, total 2 copies or total 6 copies of the forms?)
3) Should I prepare separate envelopes/packets for each applicant or just combine them all into 1 packet?
4) Should I supply 3 separate self addressed return envelopes or just a single return envelope for all 3 applicants?
5) Is it better if a prepare separate cashier's/certified checks for each applicant or combine them all into 1 check?
6) How are the documents supposed to be "self attested"? Does one simply sign one's name? How does a 3 year old baby attest her documents? (Or do one of the parents do it?)

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...


1)I sent in 25$ for family
2)Duplicate for each applicant.Print one set noterise that and make copies to send i.That way if they charge you to noterise you only pay for one set.
3)You can send all in one pack.But if your missing anything for single person.They will hold on processing all the other .
4)Same deal as 3
5)Same deal as 3 .It is upto you .Like I said if something is missing they will not process all the applicant
6)Print one set get it noterise and send in 2 copies.For kids need thumb print in blue
 
Based on my exp with OCI,

1) Is the $20 for return mailing required PER APPLICANT? (So, $60 for 3 applicants?)

20 per set. So only 20 for you.


2) Are the application forms (Parts A and B) to be submitted in duplicate PER APPLICANT or just a duplicate set of applications for all 3 applicants? (So, total 2 copies or total 6 copies of the forms?)

Total 6 copies.


3) Should I prepare separate envelopes/packets for each applicant or just combine them all into 1 packet?

One packet, all combined.


4) Should I supply 3 separate self addressed return envelopes or just a single return envelope for all 3 applicants?

No retuen envelope sent. Once they get 20$, they manage the rest.


5) Is it better if a prepare separate cashier's/certified checks for each applicant or combine them all into 1 check?

One big moneyorder that includes fees and shipping.


6) How are the documents supposed to be "self attested"? Does one simply sign one's name? How does a 3 year old baby attest her documents? (Or do one of the parents do it?)

I wrote "True Copy" on each page, then signed myself. Did same for my kids application as well. This is for attestation.
Now for signing app, you take thumbprints from kids using blue ink pad. I saw that in FAQ of Chicago's website.

Hope that helps. Let us know if you have any questions.
 
N400Atl said:
Based on my exp with OCI,

1) Is the $20 for return mailing required PER APPLICANT? (So, $60 for 3 applicants?)

20 per set. So only 20 for you.


2) Are the application forms (Parts A and B) to be submitted in duplicate PER APPLICANT or just a duplicate set of applications for all 3 applicants? (So, total 2 copies or total 6 copies of the forms?)

Total 6 copies.


3) Should I prepare separate envelopes/packets for each applicant or just combine them all into 1 packet?

One packet, all combined.


4) Should I supply 3 separate self addressed return envelopes or just a single return envelope for all 3 applicants?

No retuen envelope sent. Once they get 20$, they manage the rest.


5) Is it better if a prepare separate cashier's/certified checks for each applicant or combine them all into 1 check?

One big moneyorder that includes fees and shipping.


6) How are the documents supposed to be "self attested"? Does one simply sign one's name? How does a 3 year old baby attest her documents? (Or do one of the parents do it?)

I wrote "True Copy" on each page, then signed myself. Did same for my kids application as well. This is for attestation.
Now for signing app, you take thumbprints from kids using blue ink pad. I saw that in FAQ of Chicago's website.

Hope that helps. Let us know if you have any questions.
Click to expand...

N400Atl,

Thanks a bunch for your replies! They are very helpful to me indeed!
I tried asking these questions to CGI Houston by email. I sent them 3 emails, at 1 week intervals. No response! (Although I got an automated response saying that they will get to my email soon)
My wife and me are about to finish our N400 Oath ceremonies. I already have our U.S. Passport and OCI application forms (paper copy) filled out and ready! Can't wait to finish all this red tape!
Thanks again!
 
obajaj said:
N400Atl,

Thanks a bunch for your replies! They are very helpful to me indeed!
I tried asking these questions to CGI Houston by email. I sent them 3 emails, at 1 week intervals. No response! (Although I got an automated response saying that they will get to my email soon)
My wife and me are about to finish our N400 Oath ceremonies. I already have our U.S. Passport and OCI application forms (paper copy) filled out and ready! Can't wait to finish all this red tape!
Thanks again!
Click to expand...

You are welcome !!!
Congrats on getting close to oath ceremony. I know the feeling :) I also had my passport app ready alas our case had troubles and it took much longer. Anyway.

For passport, once you get Nat cert, take photocopies first. Then apply for passport. You can apply the same day. If you have travel plans, I would suggest pay extra $60 to get it quickly. Spring break is coming and there will be huge rush for passports since many teens go south of border where you need passport now.

You can not apply for OCI until you get US passport since you need to put passport no in it. Also I would suggest not to use paper OCI application as they have now application (part A) that has to be filled online. They directly use that information to print OCI stamps. I am not sure if they accept paper application for OCI anymore.

We used online and it was fairly easy.
Good luck !!!
 
N400Atl said:
Also I would suggest not to use paper OCI application as they have now application (part A) that has to be filled online. They directly use that information to print OCI stamps. I am not sure if they accept paper application for OCI anymore.

We used online and it was fairly easy.
Good luck !!!
Click to expand...

Yes, I know its better to apply online because you get a receipt number right there, right? I only filled out the paper version for ready reckoning and lookup of information, so that I don't have to hunt for the information while I'm filling out the online version... (and be timed out by the web application).

Infact I'm also planning to apply for the U.S. Passport online. They let you fill out all the information online and then print out a prepared application for you. It also allows you to apply for the new passport cards at the same time (and calculates the fee that needs to be paid). Then later I guess you're supposed to take this prepared passport application with you to apply in person.

All these details about myself and my family make me feel like a production consumer product that has to be tracked, tagged and "quality controlled" while coming out on a production line! Or it makes me feel like a cow, or a pet dog or cat that must wear a collar with a personalized tag at all times!!

Now, I'm also wondering if I still need to hold on to the list of all my travel dates out of the U.S.? (or is that not needed anymore?). Do I still need to track all my travel dates for any other purpose (after becoming a U.S. Citizen and OCI?)

When will we as humans not have to remember a single number, social security or otherwise? :)
 
Yes, I know its better to apply online because you get a receipt number right there, right? I only filled out the paper version for ready reckoning and lookup of information, so that I don't have to hunt for the information while I'm filling out the online version... (and be timed out by the web application).

Yes, you are right. That receipt number is very useful to track the application. Though I like your idea of having everything ready for the online application

Infact I'm also planning to apply for the U.S. Passport online. They let you fill out all the information online and then print out a prepared application for you. It also allows you to apply for the new passport cards at the same time (and calculates the fee that needs to be paid). Then later I guess you're supposed to take this prepared passport application with you to apply in person.

All these details about myself and my family make me feel like a production consumer product that has to be tracked, tagged and "quality controlled" while coming out on a production line! Or it makes me feel like a cow, or a pet dog or cat that must wear a collar with a personalized tag at all times!!

Yes, now a days we all are "cows", tracked by SSN or Drivers license or A Number. We are basically a record in somebody's database. ;-)


Now, I'm also wondering if I still need to hold on to the list of all my travel dates out of the U.S.? (or is that not needed anymore?). Do I still need to track all my travel dates for any other purpose (after becoming a U.S. Citizen and OCI?)

I would keep those. You never know when you need those. While applying for selective services letter, I needed exact dates and copy of I-94 from 10 years back and I could not find it. Caused me some problems. With govt, you never know what you will need and where. Better to keep it all tracked.

When will we as humans not have to remember a single number, social security or otherwise? :)

I guess once we go out from civilized society, into some remote place, deep in mountains. Till then, you better have you photo ID and other stuff with you ;-)

[/QUOTE]
 
Is return mail fee required even for OCI pickup?

Recently I heard that a friend of mine could personally go and pick up his OCI card in Houston.

Is it still necessary then, to pay the $20 return Fedex fee? (If you declare in some way, that you plan to pick up the OCI card and submit your passports personally)
I would have emailed the consulate (or called them) to ask this question, but they almost never reply.

If they still charge the fee, we all know where it must be going.... Into Laloo Prasad Yadav's pocket.
 
You can go in person and get passport stamped same day.

They ask for return postage money when you will be sending them passport for stamping. You can tell them that you have paid that when application was submitted (If you did that way) or if you did not pay then, you can just to go consulate and get it done. They do not charge fee if they don't have to mail it.
 
N400Atl,

Thanks for the information. I just got the cashier's checks made from the bank, a few minutes ago:
$275 for my OCI application.
$275 for my wife's OCI application.
$25 for my 3 year old daughter's OCI application (upgrading from PIO card).

I suppose thats all the fees, right?
Do I need to let them know at this stage that I plan to pick up the OCI cards (and get passports stamped) personally in Houston (and thats why I have not included the $20 Return mail fee)?.... or can I let them know about this when they have finished processing the OCI?

The reason I ask if that I don't want them to send my application back because the return mail fee was not included with the application.

Thanks.
 
You could have made just one check with the total. That works fine too. Fees seems correct.

You do not have to mention about plan to pick up in person (Though you can write that on a paper and include it with other docs, if that gives you peace of mind). As long as they get correct processing money, they process it. Then once your papers come back from Delhi, they will ask you to send money for return postage (if you have not sent already) Once you know that your papers have arrived, you can just walk in to consulate and present passports in the morning and get them back by evening.
 
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