This guide explains the exact process for obtaining a Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) for NRIs in four major destinations: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Each Indian Mission has slightly different procedures, forms, fees and timelines — and getting them right the first time avoids delays in your immigration or citizenship application.
How does an NRI in the USA apply for an NABC?
An NRI in the USA applies for NABC through the Indian Embassy in Washington DC or one of the Consulates General (New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta). The jurisdictional Consulate depends on the state you reside in. The process:
- Determine your jurisdictional Consulate from indianembassyusa.gov.in
- Download the Miscellaneous Services application form
- Prepare supporting documents: notarised passport copy, school leaving certificate, matriculation certificate, two notarised affidavits from family members confirming date and place of birth, address proof, two passport photos
- Get all Indian documents apostilled by the issuing US state's Secretary of State (school records, affidavits)
- Pay the consular fee — currently around USD 25-50 plus VFS service fee
- Submit through VFS Global (which handles Indian consular services in the USA)
- Typical TAT: 2-6 weeks
For USCIS green card applications, the NABC is then submitted along with the affidavits and school records in support of the I-485 petition.
How does an NRI in the UK apply for an NABC?
NRIs in the UK apply through the High Commission of India in London or the Consulates in Birmingham and Edinburgh. The process:
- Visit hcilondon.gov.in and download the NABC application form
- Get supporting documents notarised in the UK
- Documents needed: passport copy, school leaving certificate, matriculation certificate, parents' affidavits or family member affidavits, UK address proof
- Submit via VFS Global UK, which handles Indian consular services
- Pay the consular fee — typically £20-50 plus VFS service charge
- Typical TAT: 2-4 weeks
For UK Home Office submissions (ILR, settlement visa, citizenship), the NABC issued by the High Commission is accepted with supporting school records and affidavits. UK Home Office caseworkers are generally familiar with the NABC concept.
How does an NRI in Canada apply for an NABC?
NRIs in Canada apply through the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver. The process:
- Determine jurisdictional consulate (Ottawa for Ontario/Quebec, Toronto for some provinces, Vancouver for BC and Yukon)
- Visit hciottawa.gov.in or the relevant Consulate website
- Download the NABC / Miscellaneous Services form
- Notarise supporting documents in Canada
- Submit through BLS International (Canada's Indian consular services provider)
- Pay consular fee — typically CAD 25-50 plus BLS service charge
- Typical TAT: 2-4 weeks
For IRCC submissions (Express Entry, PR card renewal, citizenship), the NABC is accepted with supporting documents. IRCC officers are familiar with the NABC framework and the supporting affidavit + school record combination.
How does an NRI in Australia apply for an NABC?
NRIs in Australia apply through the High Commission of India in Canberra or the Consulates General in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. The process:
- Identify your jurisdictional Mission based on state of residence
- Visit hciaustralia.gov.in for forms and procedures
- Notarise supporting documents at an Australian notary public
- Submit through VFS Global Australia
- Pay consular fee — typically AUD 30-60 plus VFS service charge
- Typical TAT: 3-6 weeks (slightly slower than US/UK)
For Australian Home Affairs (skilled migration, family sponsorship, citizenship), the NABC + supporting documents combination is accepted. Department officers are familiar with Indian documentation realities.
What's the difference between USA Embassy and UK High Commission NABC?
Functionally they are equivalent — both are NABCs issued by the Government of India through its Mission abroad. The only differences are administrative:
- The US Mission uses VFS Global for submission; UK High Commission also uses VFS Global
- Fees differ slightly between countries
- TAT may vary based on volume at each mission
- Document apostille requirements vary — US documents need state-level apostille, UK documents need Foreign Office apostille if they need to be sent back to India
The acceptance abroad is identical: any Indian Mission NABC is accepted by any foreign authority that accepts NABCs in general.
Can I apply for NABC from multiple countries simultaneously?
No. NABC must be issued by the Indian Mission in your country of residence. You cannot apply from the US Embassy if you live in Canada, for example. If you have moved countries recently, you apply at the Mission of your current country.
However, an NABC obtained in one country is valid for use in any other country. If your US Embassy NABC was issued for a green card application and you later need it for Australian PR, the same document can be re-used (subject to any recency requirements of the receiving authority).
Can India For NRI help me get an NABC from these countries?
Yes. We assist NRIs worldwide with NABC applications. Our service includes:
- Identifying the correct jurisdictional Embassy/Consulate
- Drafting all required affidavits and applications
- Procuring and apostilling school records from India
- Coordinating notarisation in your country
- Submitting through VFS Global / BLS International on your behalf where permitted
- Following up until the NABC is issued
- Assembling the final dossier for submission to USCIS, IRCC, Home Office, or other authority
Many NRIs find that even though the Embassy process looks simple, getting all the supporting Indian documents correctly apostilled and dovetailed with the NABC requires expert handling. This is what we specialise in.
India For NRI is India's #1 expert service for obtaining Indian birth certificates — trusted by 10,000+ NRIs across 50+ countries for apostille, NABC, name correction, and all birth certificate needs.