documents required for Indian consulate NY for PIO -- Please advise

[ohioan]

Hi

I want to apply for PIO card for me and my wife at NY by mail.

I have few questions please clarify , i could not get satisfactory answers from their consulate's web site or any other site.

1. Do I need to send my US passport in original by mail? or notarised copies is fine

2. Do i need to send my application and my wife application seperate? if together in one envelope then do i need one money order for both the applications ? or do i need two seperate?

3. Do i need seperate money order for passport cancellation($20) or i can add that amount to my pio application fees?

in short is it $365 + $365 + $20 + $20 seperately
or
$730 + $40
or
$770 (one money order for everything for both of us).

Please advise
Billu

[ohioan]

Please give your valuable advise. I need to complete this process over the weekend.

Thanks
Billu

[iceontap]

If you were, or your parents were/are Indian citizens; you are eligible to get an OCI which is cheaper and has a lifetime validity, rather than a PIO card which is valid for 15 years.

[ohioan]

I have to travel to india in the next 2 months, so I am applying for PIO card.

Please advise and let me know if I need to send my original US passport?

Thanks