OCI - Name Change Process and Templates - SFO
Steps you need to follow if the name in the US passport does not match the name in the Indian passport - and you wish to apply for an OCI.
DISCLAIMERS :
a.) This process worked for me and my spouse as of Q2-2009. In the future, the Consulate General's office may change their requirements
b.) Our applications were made to the SFO Consulate General's Office.(As part of the process, I contacted the NY office - and found to my surprise - that the process was not consistent.)
STEPS:
a.) After your legal name change - via a court order or part of the naturalization process, place a newspaper announcement of the name change in a local US newspaper (where you live today) as well as a newspaper in India (preferably in the city where your Indian passport shows you were domiciled)
b.) I used the following template "Vide certificate <Certificate #> issued by the <County-Name> County District Court in <City> <State>, I hereby announce that I have changed my name from <Old Name> to <New Name> on MMM, DD YYYY."
c.) Submit your application / passports / applicable fees, the two newspaper (one US and 1 from India) pages alongwith the notorized "Change in Name" Affidavit (link found on SFO/CGI website under OCI / The Process)
NOTES :
1.) The first time I sent in the application, I did not place the ads but sent in the certified copy of the name change document (County Court Order). While this may be (cant say for sure) acceptable to the NY CGI, the folks in SFO sent my application back requesting I place newspaper ads.
2.) The next time around, I placed the ads and the local newspaper gave me a notorized "Affidavit of Publication". I included that as part of my application, but that did not meet the requirements either. They wanted the physical copy of the newspaper - with the announcements marked. So the second application was returned as well.
3.) The third time was lucky (or they got tired), when I included the newspaper announcements.
4.) When placing the ad in the US, the local newspaper placed it based on my email to them with no requirement of any supporting document. However when placing the announcement in India, Indian Express/TOI agreed to place the announcement only after a copy of the court order document was shown to the agent. So to avoid any hassle - you may want to simply scan and send a copy of the name change court order to the folks in India placing the ad for you.
5.) This process works even if you entirely changed your name i.e. <First Name> and <Last Name>
Good Luck !