Does the SF consulate take cash?
I will be submitting an application in person but there is a chance I may not be around to pick up the PCC. If I give them an envelope, will they automatically mail it or will I have a chance to go pick it up?
They do not take cash. Fees have to be paid through Money order or Cashiers’ check drawn in favor of the ‘Consulate General of India, San Francisco’.
The CGI San Francisco site states upfront - "Cash, Personal Cheques, Credit Cards, Debit Cards or other banking instruments are not accepted."
If you can't pick up the PCC in person, you need to provide them a pre-paid trackable return mailing envelope. They will mail it to you. If you provide them an envelope but STILL want the option of picking it up, you're causing too much confusion on their part.
When you decide to opt for pick-up, they mark your application at the time of submission as "pick-up/will call". I've seen them write this on all applications where the applicant wants to come in person and pick it up.
When you tell them you want to keep both options open, you're making their job difficult. They as such get several PCC requests on a daily basis and cannot possibly serve everybody' individual interests and preferences. They might be able to accomodate your request - but there is a chance of this going wrong. As such, nobody can assure you how this will play out.
If you do not want to take this chance, I suggest you remain clear with your instructions to them. Either opt for pick up or opt for mailing. Pick one of the two clearly.