acha

1 hour ago, Prads said:

@acha  This is my confirmation page. The link given there simply redirects to the gov. website.

On CKGS how to apply form, https://www.in.ckgs.us/oci/how-to-apply, they have mentioned about this form. But the link doesn't take you to forms list.

 

Try calling CKGS number as well, I had luck getting in touch with the guys on phone in Nov-Dec, not sure in current situations. They would explain any questions I used to have.

 

I googled and see its a standard document available online.

https://www.signnow.com/fill-and-sign-pdf-form/32223-affidavit-in-lieu-of-originals#:~:text=AFFIDAVIT IN LIEU OF ORIGINALS I solemnly swear that the,required by the Mission%2FConsulate

You can confirm from them as well. 

 

I havent had any luck trying to reach them via phone. I did get to this page above but no link to form. I appreciate your guidance on this! I've written to them, else I'll use the reference youve provided and create one myself. Thank you very much!!   I'll let you know how things go!

20 minutes ago, Prads said:

@acha This was the document that comes up, once you fill in the details and submit. It automatically checks the documents necessary for your conditions.

@acha Did you submit? What are the dcouments you see on the final page?

@Prads Thanks for finding this! Very helpful!  This is not available on their site, they only have a checklist to be printed out, they dont have this as a check off list nor do they have the content with signature box below it. I'll just send them an email to find out and pray someone replies lol. Thanks again! 

1 hour ago, Prads said:

@acha I remember once I reach the last page or basically once submitted if you go to the page where you see all forms or documents required section that form was there to download and get it signed. Let me see if I can find a screenshot or something 

That would be great! Thanks! I looked everywhere, did a search too also looked on the indian site, its no where to be found.

On 8/22/2020 at 1:01 PM, Prads said:

@acha yay..congrats! Yes, I've got my oci.  I went to a fedex/ one of those centres who handle multiple shipping options, they've notarize facility for $10 a signature/page. I think it was only one page, Affidavit in Lieu of Originals. Easy.

@prads I wasnt able to find the Affidavit in lieu of Originals form on their site. What does it look like or say? Or did you type up your own? Please Advise. 

Also, they have a few updates since last year so they may have removed this one not sure.

Thanks
M

22 hours ago, Jot18 said:

You can apply now and I'll try to help if I can. Just post here I check forums on daily basis.

@jot18 Thanks!! I think I've figured this out now  

16 hours ago, Jot18 said:

Haven't applied OCI yet. I already have 10 yr tourist visa. Will apply at some point and make a guide.

@jot18 Thanks for getting back! hopefully they'll have a better website by then! 😄

6 hours ago, Prads said:

@acha yay..congrats! Yes, I've got my oci.  I went to a fedex/ one of those centres who handle multiple shipping options, they've notarize facility for $10 a signature/page. I think it was only one page, Affidavit in Lieu of Originals. Easy.

@Prads. Awesome! Thanks again! 🙂 

@Jot18 @Prads thanks for all your help!! I finally received my Renunciation Certificate! I wouldnt have been able to do this if it wasnt for your help!!!

I actually had a quick question on OCI thats if you have gone through the process and if you dont mind advising. Did you notarize any of the documents?  The instructions are so bad I can't figure this out. 

1 hour ago, Jot18 said:

You should have ended up paying $30 total. You don't send need to send labels. You just print the label the ship it. Once it's ready CKGS will print and ship it back.

Thanks for the clarification!  (Thats right, $30 both ways total $225.)

On 7/20/2020 at 6:50 PM, Jot18 said:

I don't have OCI yet. I am waiting on the renunciation certificate then I'll be applying for OCI. I tried doing OCI application last week to have it ready and I couldn't get past the first page. It keep saying choose your application center but doesn't give the option. I believe you can still redo your application start filling out the same details when it asks you to continue with your previous app, just say no and continue with new application. The shipping screen is hard to navigate.I emailed CKGS last week regarding a hold and haven't received a response other than auto reply. So I just fixed the form and sent it. The CKGS website needs some work done.

@Jot18 Quick question regarding Shipping, I've selected Fedex service $15 both ways from the CKGS. Do I need to send a prepaid envelope or just one envelope with my docs since I bought both services from them? assuming I can print the label online once i've completed everything. Thanks! 🙂

13 hours ago, Jot18 said:

I don't have OCI yet. I am waiting on the renunciation certificate then I'll be applying for OCI. I tried doing OCI application last week to have it ready and I couldn't get past the first page. It keep saying choose your application center but doesn't give the option. I believe you can still redo your application start filling out the same details when it asks you to continue with your previous app, just say no and continue with new application. The shipping screen is hard to navigate.I emailed CKGS last week regarding a hold and haven't received a response other than auto reply. So I just fixed the form and sent it. The CKGS website needs some work done.

@Jot18 Thanks! I'll probably redo it and start a brand new form as I cannot edit this step. Sorry to hear you're having problems with the OCI page. These guys truly suck! I just cant believe how much they are charging people for such a crappy site and totally wasting our time over something so simple if they only hired the right people to do their site. 

1 hour ago, Prads said:

@acha never a dull moment with their forms eh ? haha.

 

Looks like now you see a page which disappeared on me. My husband had just filled up the renun form a day before me and he could enter the money order/ CC details like the screenshot you have here.

Next day, I didnt even get to see this page, I think they must've released a new version and couldnt get to it, so I raised query and they said, you are confirmed, just attach it to the application while posting.

 

Anyways, back to your question, I was trying to login and see but its not recognizing my id currently.

 

I do have an acknowledgement in the email(which you can send to yourself or print later once submitted). Check the screenshot.

 

So ideally you should see something like this.

 

I would suggest start over and see if it shows this time.

 

 

Regarding OCI, dont worry about it right now. I think we start off with a lot of grudge and that makes it harder.

Just try to get everything mentioned in the checklist. Let me know if you are stuck there.

For me, I did have one issue, I did get signature and images in the size recommended but didnt check if the sign looked legible. It was very small. I simply saw the form come together with the photo and sign below it.

 

So make sure that once you upload and review the form which shows the photograph and the signature below, it is legible.

They asked me to resend the form with new signature, so had to send another quick usps one day courier(~$7-8). I was on vacation for a week so totally got worked up thinking it would be late by the time I come home and then send, as they mention that you've to submit within 5 days after they send request. But when I called, they assured me it wont matter.

 

Rest was all fine. It took around 3 months I think.

 

P

 

@Prads Thank you v much for your time on this, you've been helpful!

Yes I actually saw the shipping fee included in step 4 which disappeared in step 5. I'll just wait till CKGS replies to my query. I didnt see any mention of including a photograph, perhaps things have changed since you applied. Its crazy it took 3 months for it to arrive.

Thanks again,

M

On 7/17/2020 at 9:00 AM, Jot18 said:

I just didn't bother using my own labels due to their outdated/weird instructions. I just paid $15 for to and $15 for return. After that when I finished the application, I received a shipping label. CKGS instructions are probably the worst I've seen in the recent years. For the money order if you didn't write any names and I would cash it and just send one money order. If you need more help you can PM for something you don't want to post here. Btw I paid $475+ another $8.50 for FedEx label to resend a form with correct father name .I lost my renunciation certificate that I got back in 2015. I had to pay $250 extra due to renouncing after 3 years of becoming US Citizen.

@PradsThanks! Thats awful, sorry to hear that! They are really ruthless and dumb with how they've created this site, probably hired some web developer for dirt cheap and taking exorbitant amount for just a stamp on a piece of printed paper.  

I have one more question, I selected shipping both ways from CKGS $15 and then when I hit submit and came to the payment page it displayed $195 (image below) instead of $225 not showing my selection for shipping. I've emailed CKGS with this question but they are 2-3 weeks behind in replying, not sure if you can guide me but should I fill out a form again even if I have clicked submit prior to filling out payment info? OR wait for them to get back?

Is the OCI process as painful, assuming you have it? 

Thanks again!!

M

2 hours ago, Jot18 said:

Sorry if you already submitted. I recently did mine and CKGS just sent to embassy yesterday. 1. US national.

2. Fill the expiration dates like CKGS website has it and not like we do back in India. 

Thank You, Jot! I have 2 more questions:

1) Also, for shipping from ...Me to CKGS - I would like to use USPS  2 day shipping to save some money. If you shipped using USPS or another service, Did you just enter the AWB (routing #) in the box , this part is confusing as the first select drop down menu is disabled and cannot be clicked (image below). I don't want them to deny it due to something so small. 

2) Money Order - I had already prepared a money order for $195 prior to starting the form as that was suggested on their site. However, as I come closer to payment and want to add their service fedex to receive docs back from them its an additional charge. Will another money order for $15 work (basically sending 2 MO checks) or do I need to redo and send one MO check.

Just me venting....This is the worst site ever! LIke it was build 20yrs ago besides they are taking so much money in fees why cant they just hire a proper agency to do their website! 

Please advise.

Thanks again,

M

 

@Prads Hello! I noticed you have been through the process of applying for renunciation. I'm reaching out with a few questions as I'm struggling with the online renunciation form, San Francisco location. I hope you can remember and I'd appreciate it if you can guide me here!

I received my U.S passport after acquiring citizenship, now I'm not sure about 2 sections which are confusing:

1. Are you a US National   OR  Non - US National     (Image below)           Which one did you select? 
(If I select Non- US National , there are 2 dropdown menus that appear I find this confusing and not sure what im selecting as first dropdown doesn't display united states nor india - https://www.in.ckgs.us/renunciation/renunciation-getstarted)
 

2. Expiration of Indian Passport - Indian Passport has DD/MM/YYYY format while others have MM/DD/YYYY format. Did this go through without any issues for you?

Also, I made a mistake on this form filling it out a few weeks ago, i didnt submit it and starting a new one. Hoping that wont be an issue.

Thanks,

Manjiri

Hello,

I was filling out my form on the CKGS website (San Francisco Location) and after receiving my web reference number on the 2nd step where you have to fill out forms, realized the indian Passport had DD/MM/YYYY format. In Step two I filled out expiration date as MM/DD/YY. Should I redo the application? Would there be any confusion on the consulate side?

Also, I'm assuming its ok to proceed with application even though offices arent open / functional due to covid right now?
 

Please advise.

Hello,

I'm based in San Francisco and want to apply for the renunciation certificate (https://www.in.ckgs.us/renunciation/), as per the Indian visa application website they are not currently operating due to covid. Does anyone know if I can still apply and wait OR should I wait till they reopen?

Thanks,

Manjiri

Thanks!

Thanks for replying!

No. I have never been institutionalized. 

So it doesn't matter if youre seeing a therapist as long as you havent been institutionalized?

Hello,

In the naturalization form there is a question on ever being in a mental institute. I haven't so it does not apply to me but if I want to see a Psychiatrist will that pose as issue? Is that something they can ask during the interview or traceable via social security or something else?

Thanks

A

@spr2019 Thanks for your advice. I do have a copy of my Tax returns from my CPA but I've read many posts that a Tax transcript is better to have.

I've sent a form 4560-T ( https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf )requesting one for 2014.

Would you know if this is to be attached with the N-400 form or just taken to the interview?

Thanks!

Hello, 😊

I will be soon applying for citizenship, I began gathering and filing all documents required for N-400 as well as interview. I am applying with the minimun 5yrs green card. This requires submission of 5yrs past tax return transcript during the interview process and I am not sure if i have to send this along with N-400 too. However, my main issue is that I went online to get my transcript and also called IRS and they are only able to issue 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 basically not '2014' and I'm clueless how to get the 2014 tax return transcript. Can someone please advise? i've really tried researching online and not finding a solution.

also to clarify I do have my tax return documents but not the 2014 tax return transcript as required for the interview and application. after doing much research it sounds like they want to see the transcript over docs. please advise. Thanks!

Thanks for your answers 'member from Florida'.

Thanks!

Thanks!