Last updated on: February 27, 2026 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
Opening an NRE/NRO bank account in India from abroad can be challenging due to the stringent KYC verification requirements. Many applicants struggle with obtaining the necessary attestations from local notaries or the Indian Embassy.
This article outlines a practical solution to navigate the process, sharing a step-by-step guide based on a successful experience with HDFC Bank by Ganapathy Ram. By following these instructions, you can effectively fulfill the affidavit requirements and move forward with your NRI bank account application.
Update: Effective 23rd January 2026 – Launch of e-SEWA Consular Services
The Embassy of India, Paris has launched the e-SEWA, an Indian Consular Services System for online submission of miscellaneous consular services applications. This initiative supports the Government of India’s Digital India programme.
⚠️ Note: e-SEWA does NOT cover Visa, Passport, or Birth Registration services.
📝 Services Available on e-SEWA include:
- Life Certificate
- Sworn Affidavit / Bachelorhood (Celibacy) Affidavit
- Death Registration Certificate
- Transportation of Ashes to India
- Re-issuance of International Driving Permit
- Police Clearance Certificate (for foreign nationals)
- Certificate de Coutume / Concordance
- Passport-based Birth Certificate
- Attestation & Legalization of documents (personal/commercial)
- Power of Attorney (PoA) / Affidavit attestation
- NRI Certificate
🌐 How to Apply:
- Visit: https://indianconsularservices.mea.gov.in/consularServices/
- Register or log in to the e-SEWA portal.
- Select the required service and complete the online application.
- Upload supporting documents and submit the form.
- Print the application form.
- Visit the Embassy of India, Paris on the appointment date generated by email for submission/collection.
⚠️ Important Guidelines:
- Applications must be submitted only through the e-SEWA portal.
- Personal visit to the Embassy is required for final collection and verification (if applicable).
- Payment is in cash only at the Embassy counter.
- Online payment facility is not available at present.
- Applicants must check service-specific document requirements on the portal before applying.
For updates and further details, please visit the official website of the Embassy of India, Paris.
Affidavit Process
Here is a solution to open a NRE/NRO bank account in India from France. I understand that many of you are trying to do this and getting stuck on the KYC verification because you need an attestation from a notary or the Indian Embassy in France or other countries.
There are two primary things to keep in mind.
- The Embassy is not allowed to sign on the photocopies of your Indian or French documents. The Embassy has its reasons for not doing this.
- Many Notary officials in France might tell you they do not think they are authorized to do this. Some notaries do it, so you can check with your local notary.
How do you proceed then?
I will describe to you what I did and ideally, this was accepted by the HDFC bank to open the accounts.
- Write to the embassy with a clear subject line that states that you require an affidavit to open an NRE/NRO account and that based on the current RBI KYC rules, you require validation that you are holding the said Passport/Aadhar Card/Residency Permit/ PAN Card.
- Ideally, they would respond to you by saying that they will not sign the copies of the document but if you have explained your case in the email that you do not want attestation on copies but rather an affidavit; they would ask you to bring the copies of the documents with you with the original, along with a typed and filled affidavit (see image below for an example).
- Ideally, an appointment proposal will come with this email which you can ask to be modified if it does not suit you.
- On the day of the appointment go to the embassy, complete the document they give you, and pay 21 euros in cash only.
- Show the originals and get the affidavit attested. Also, do not forget to take a pen.
- This affidavit will/should be accepted by the Bank as the affidavit stamps clearly say that the embassy has physically seen the documents.
E-mail IDs of the Indian Embassy in Paris
Address: Consular Wing
- Embassy of India
20-22 Rue Alberic Magnard
Paris -75016 - Google Maps
Also, thank you Gokul Shivananda for the tip to try with the Embassy. Hope this helps when you need to do a similar operation.
Affidavit Example
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Helpful article. Merci Beaucoup
Thanks for your feedback.
hello prashant,
Can we get my affidavit for birth certificate correction with the embassy?
Thanks
Hello Sundar,
The birth certificate corrections can only be done from the place of birth. From Indian Embassy, you can obtain a temporary birth certificate based on your passport details. But its not a replacement for the official BC from India and so it has been rejected so many times by French admin.
Cheers,
Prasanth
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