Consulate General of India, New York — Local services in New York

I recently conducted business at the NY location for POA (Power of Attorney) attestation. Initially, I sent my documents via mail, but they were returned without attestation because the Indian passport copy was missing. However, the online instructions did not specifically mention that I needed to send my canceled Indian passport copy (after obtaining US citizenship). Instead, I sent a copy of my current US passport. Probably, the online instructions should clearly state that BOTH passport copies need to be sent.

I decided to visit the location personally. The embassy opens at 9 am, and everyone waiting outside is instructed to go to the basement. The security guard advises everyone to switch off their mobile phones before descending the basement stairs. After a brief security check, they allow entry into the lobby, which is divided into two sides: the right side for passport and visa services and the left side for POA attestation and miscellaneous services. On the left side, there is a locker for phones and a kiosk where you can register yourself by entering your name. They begin calling individuals after 9:30 based on their check-in time.

The staff behind the windows are incredibly helpful, courteous and efficient. They accept your papers along with the required fee and instruct you to return at 4 pm to collect the document. However, if requested, they can provide the attested documents after an hour or so(this was extremely helpful in my case, especially since I traveled from Boston after a 6-hour journey and needed to return the next day). On-site facilities are impressive and free, including a free photocopy machine, free ice-cream & a play area for kids (which surprised me, as I've never seen this arrangement in any government office), computer access, and standard stationery items such as markers, glue, whitener, and staplers.

I gave it 4 stars mainly because of the behavior of the security guard, who could use some behavior training. His habit of yelling at everyone who arrives creates a negative impression(it really destroying the image of Indian hospitality). I believe there's no need for such behavior, as it's possible to get things done without shouting. It appears that he may overestimate his authority and forget his role as just a security guard. Overall, his behavior leaves a bad impression of this place.

Lastly, the iron entrance door requires some paint and clear opening instructions. It appeared to be an old, rusted door with a piece of paper attached for guidance on...

I had sent numerous emails asking the procedure for lost passport and renewing passport. No one had any ideas on what to do. They kept asking for the same info over and over again. When I contacted them on Facebook they had me email them again. Someone responded saying my request will take time and to fill out the application on CKGS. I didn’t have the passport number or the date of issue and NY city police needed a letter from Counsulate General of India with the passport number for lost passport report. I responded to the email saying how can I fill out the application without the passport number and the Police report. Then I got an email saying to come get the letter for the police report.I sent my husband to go get the letter. He got to the consulate at 1:00 pm but no one came to the window until 2:15 pm. ( Why does everyone take a lunch break at the same time?) when he finally talk to someone there, they didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. He showed them the email but they were still clueless. Then I had to go on Facebook messenger and ask them for help. Within minutes Suman Bala( Passport officer) came out to assist. She advised that we had to fill out Personal Particular Form since passport information was not found in the system. ( I wish someone said that day one it would of saved me a month) It took 4 weeks to get Personal Particular form confirmation back from RPO Ahmedabad ( since lost passport was issued there). We got the letter from CGI for police report. Then filled out the application under lost passport and submitted all the information listed. After submitting the application we got an email saying application is on hold for lost passport copy! ( how can you get a picture of something that is lost? And why did they put it on hold when a copy of the lost passport is not a required document. ) I sent in two emails asking these questions but no one responded so I went back on Facebook to get some help. With in an hour I got an email saying they will move the application farther. I am sure they wouldn’t of done anything if I didn’t reach out.

Consulate General of India needs to provide better training to staff and need to be more attentive. How does everyone go on lunch at the same time? Shouldn’t at least one person be at the window? There also needs to be a better channels of communication. Someone needs to be accountable for ignored emails.

This process took 3 months but I am glad we got the passport. Thank you to...

A gratitude post for India in New York and Radhika Shekaran. We were having the most fabulous holiday in the US this April and on 17th April flew from Miami to New York city to spend the last leg of our holiday reliving our NYC memories before flying out to London on the 19th of April. Whilst checking in at our hotel, husband discovered that our passport pouch is missing: that contained all our current passports and our old passports containing our US visas. 20 years of international travel averaging at least 10 trips a year for husband and half of that for me and kids following him (sometimes sportingly but oftentimes complainingly) through five international relocations and multiple international holidays: we never experienced the utter shock and dismay of having our passports lost/stolen and the stress and anxiety of being in a foreign country without our identity documents. The true meaning of Seva was rendered by the staff at the Consulate General of India, New York USA and in particular Ms. Radhika Shekharan who helped us first report a case with the New York City police department about our lost passports and then helped us get our emergency passports in time for us to fly back to London. Radhika stayed way beyond normal business hours to help us with getting our passports through the Tatkal route as the consulate was going to be closed for the long weekend. She didn’t have to. She chose to. A mom and a wife who would have had her own commitments to attend to at her home, chose to stay and help complete strangers because she understood, “the feeling of being stranded without passports in a foreign country”. The contact number which many of us assume is never answered in Government offices was promptly answered at the first try when I called and then for multiple times when either my husband or I would call to get clarification on the documents needed to process our Tatkal application. Radhika was calmness and professionalism personified at every step. Many of us live our lives as global nomads today and the concept of home and identity keeps getting blurred with every passing year. But personally for me, instances like this when people from your homeland help you, assuage your fears and guide you to take the right steps with promptness and empathy- it reiterates the fact that various corners of the world where I have lived the story of my life are important milestones but home will always be home: where I started and where I belong-...