US Passport for adult OCI application ? used to be in matchup stage

[sakiray]

I am a recent US citizen and applying for my OCI. The checklist is asking me to submit my Original US passport.
I have done OCI application in the past for my kids and their passport used to be sent during the matchup phase not right now.

Is the US passport truly needed at application time ?
When do i get it back ?

[pavanasrao]

Yes it is required to send US passport. I recently applied for OCI and sent my US passport. Got it back within 7 business days.

[Liberty48]

Looks like there is some difference in the process. Not sure if it consulate based, or it is been changing from pre-matchup to post-matchup. Some ask for the US passport with the application, some ask for the US passport at the matchup step. Shipping costs end up to be the same. You get the passport back in a week though. So, don't send the application/US passport if you are traveling in the next few days.