Indian Passport and Passport seva kendra complete reference with frequently asked questions.

Service and forms related questions

What are the services offered by Passport offiecs(POs) and Passport seva kendras (PSKs)?

— There are mainly 3 types of services offered.

1. Application for New (fresh) passport: This service is only applicable for Indian citizens who do not have passport.
2. Application for Reissue of Passport: Through this service Indian passport holder can apply for reissue of passport instead of an existing passport for any of the following reasons:

• Change in Existing personal details.
• Validity Expired within 3 years/ Due to Expire.
• shortage of Pages.
• Damaged Passport.
• Lost Passport.
• Validity Expired more than 3 years ago.

3.   Miscellaneous Service: Issue of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

How many types of passports issued in India? What are the different colours used for Ordinary,Diplomatic and Official Indian passports? 

A:
totally three types of passports are issued in India

Ordinary Passport: Ordinary Blue colour cover passport with 10years validity with 30 or 60 pages.

An Indian citizen can use this passport for ordinary vacation or business travel.

Diplomatic Passport: Members of the national government, including diplomats, administrative officials, and official public couriers, use a maroon-covered diplomatic passport.

Official Passport: Ordinary citizens travelling on official government business carry an official passport, with a white cover.

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How New Indian passport system works? How to apply Indian Passport using Revised(new) passport system.

How to apply passport using PSKs? What is procedure to apply Indian fresh passport? WHat is the procedure for applying reissue of passport? How renew my passport?

A:
For issue of fresh passport and reissue of passport, you need to fill the application form online via e-Form Submission (preferred) or via Online Form Submission. You can also apply in person at DPC for fresh passport. For Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) also you need to fill the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Application Form online via e-Form Submission (preferred) or via Online Form Submission.
Under the new system it is mandatory for all applicants, including infants, to be physically present at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Minor

Q:
What is the age of minor for issue of passport?

A:
Applicants less than 18 years of age are considered as minor for issuance of passport.

Q:
Do my 2(two-month) old baby requires separate passport?

I have a one-month old baby? Does the baby require a separate passport or his/her name can be endorsed in one of the parents passport?

What is procedure for applying passport for new born babies or minors?

A:
Endorsement of child’s name in parent’s passports is not allowed anymore. As per the amended law, a minor should have a separate passport.

Q:
In case of minor’s passport, whose father is abroad, is it mandatory to obtain father’s consent to apply for the child’s passport? If so, what is the procedure?

A:
If parent(s) of the minor holds a valid passport, then attested photocopy of passport needs to be submitted along with the application form. Spouse name should be endorsed on the parent’s passport. If parent(s) hold a valid passport, but spouse name is not endorsed, then they must get the spouse name added in their passport. For this, they have to apply for reissue of passport and get the specified change done in personal particulars.

Q:
We are planning to apply for passports for our kids (minors). Is it mandatory that my name should be included in my husband’s or wife’s passport for applying passport for kids or minor children?

Do Minor’s passport requires police verification?

A:
If either parent of a minor holds a valid passport with spouse name endorsed, passport will be issued to the minor without any police verification. Original passport of parent(s) should be presented for the verification of particulars. If parent(s) hold a valid passport, but spouse name is not endorsed, then they must get the spouse name added in their passport. For this, they have to apply for reissue of passport and get the specified change done in personal particulars. Thus, it is necessary that spouse name should be endorsed on the parent’s passport.

Q:
Is it mandatory that both parents should hold/have valid passport before applying for their child’s/kid’s passport?

A:
It is not necessary that both parents should have a passport before applying for their child’s passport. The advantage of either parent holding a valid passport with spouse name endorsed is that it exempts their child from the Police Verification process.

Q:
I am a minor who is 16 years old. Is it possible for me to obtain a full validity passport of 10 years?

Can Minors apply passport under Tatkaal scheme?

A:
Minors between 15 to 18 years of age can apply either for a 10-year validity passport or they can apply for a passport, which is valid till they attain the age of 18 years. Fee for a 10-year validity passport is higher than fee for a passport, which is valid till they attain the age of 18 years.
A 10-year validity passport cannot be issued to applicants without police verification on submission of parent’s passport. If passport is required on an urgent basis, they can apply under Tatkaal scheme.

Q:
What is the validity of a minor’s passport?

A:
The validity of a minor’s passport is restricted to five years or till they attain the age of 18, whichever is earlier. But the minors with age between 15 to 18 years can apply either for a 10-year validity passport or for a passport which is valid till they attain the age of 18 years. Different fees are applicable depending upon which category they are applying for.

Q:
Who can apply for my minor daughter’s passport in India as I am working on ship at Singapore/Hong kong (HK) as second engineer?

A:
Either parent/guardian can apply for minor’s passport. You would however need to get Annexure H duly attested by the Consular section of the nearest Indian Mission. To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.

Q:
Is it mandatory or necessary that passport applications for minors under 18 require consent of either both parents or legal guardian?

A:
It is necessary that either parent/legal guardian should give their consent while applying for minor’s passport. Following documents have to be submitted in the given cases:

1.
Passport application of a minor with consent of both parents
Annexure “H”

2.
Applied by Legal Guardian
Annexure “H”

3.
Minors with single parent (One parent deceased)
Annexure “H”

4.
Applied by one parent/guardian when consent of one or both parents is not possible
Annexure “G”

5.
Parents are separated but not divorced
Annexure “C”

6.
Single parent of the child born out of wedlock
Annexure “C”

Q:
My Husband/wife (spouse) is staying in another country. what is the procedure to get his/her signature for consent for applying for my child’s/Kid’s passport?

A:
Consent of the spouse, who is abroad, is required for submitting the application of their child. It should be in the form of a Sworn Affidavit duly attested by the Indian Embassy/Consulate abroad (as per Annexure “H”). To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.

Q:
I want to apply for my child’s passport. Are signatures of both parents mandatory/necessory on Annexure H to be submitted along with the application? What if my wife /husband is refusing to sign the form?

A:
Yes, the signature of both the parents is mandatory on Annexure H to be submitted along with the application as it signifies that both parents are giving consent for the issuance of passport to the child. Annexure H is the declaration of applicant’s parents or guardian for the issuance of passport to the minor. If either of the parents is not giving consent, then the parent applying for the minor’s passport needs to submit Annexure G. To see the format of Annexure H and G, please click on “Annexures/Affidavits” link on Home page.

Q:

Can Minors get 60 page booklet passport?
Can I apply for a 60 pages booklet for my 12 year old Kid or child?

A:
No, you cannot apply for a 60 pages passport booklet for your 12-months old child. Only 36 pages passport booklet are issued to minors.

Q:
If parents have passport with negative adverse Police Verification Report or they have a criminal background, can passport be issued to minor on an urgent basis?

A:
In such cases, minors can be issued passport under Tatkaal scheme subject to the approval of the government official at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Q:
Can I apply for my minor Kid’s/child’s passport with out endorsing or adding my Spouse’s Name in my valid passport? Can I  apply for my  minor Kid’s /child’s passport without submitting my passport copy?

A:
If parent(s) of the minor holds a valid passport, then attested photocopy of passport needs to be submitted along with the application form. Spouse name should be endorsed on the parent’s passport. If parent(s) hold a valid passport, but spouse name is not endorsed, then they must get the spouse name added in their passport. For this, they have to apply for reissue of passport and get the specified change done in personal particulars.

Senior Citizen

Q:
I am a senior citizen, can I have a senior’s citizen passport?

A:
Separate senior’s passport is not issued to a senior citizen. They can apply for an ordinary passport with a validity of 10 years. Senior Citizens can be issued a passport on post police verification basis if they submit copy of child’s (Age>18) passport, who is staying abroad (with page having parent’s name) as an additional document along with their application form.
To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.

Q:
I am A senior citizen What benefits i get while applying  passport?

A:
Senior Citizens can be issued a passport on post police verification basis if they submit copy of child’s (Age>18) passport, who is staying abroad (with page having parent’s name) as an additional document along with their application form.
To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.

Students

Q:
For Student not staying with parents what address proof need to be submited for applying passport?

A:
You can apply at any Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) under a Passport Office (PO) in the state of your current or permanent address.
For instance, if you are a student staying in Rohtak (which falls under the jurisdiction of Passport Office (PO), Chandigarh) and your parents are staying in Hissar, which also falls under the jurisdiction of Passport Office (PO), Chandigarh, you may apply at any Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) under Passport Office (PO) Chandigarh. Please indicate your hostel address/the place where you are staying in Rohtak as present address and your parent’s address as permanent address.
And in case you are studying and staying in Bangalore you may either apply at any of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) under Passport Office (PO) Bangalore or under Passport Office (PO) Chandigarh. For proof of residence of your hostel/place of stay, you should provide a Bonafide Letter from authorized signatory of college (On official letter head of UGC recognized College).

Employees of Government/PSU/Statutory Body

Q:
Is ID proof is mandatory for Government/Public Sector/Statutory organization employees?
OR

Govt employees eligible for applying ordinary passport with out submitting additional employment docs?

A:
For issuance of a fresh passport, Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees need to submit either Identity Certificate in original as per Annexure “B” or No Objection Certificate (NOC) as per Annexure “M” as an additional document along with the application form. If he/she submits Annexure “B”, passport will be issued without police verification and if he/she submits Annexure “M”, passport will be issued on post police verification basis. For reissue of passport, Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees need to submit No Objection Certificate (NOC) as per Annexure “M” as an additional document along with the application form.

Q:
I am a Govt employee What benefits i get for applying for passport?

Or

I am a Retired Govt employee what benefits I get for applying for passport?

A:
Government Employees: Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees can be issued passport without police verification, if they submit Identity Certificate in original as per Annexure “B” as an additional document along with the application form. They can be issued a passport on post police verification basis, if they submit No Objection Certificate (NOC) (as per Annexure “M”) as an additional document along with the application form.
Retired Government Employees: Retired Government employees can be issued a passport on post police verification basis if they submit Pension Payment Order as an additional document along with the application form.

Q:
What documents need to be submitted for major Name change in the passport for a GOVT employee?

 A:
If a Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employee wants to make a major change in name, then he/she has to submit the following additional documents:

1. Gazette Notification changing name in applicant’s department
2. Fresh ID Certificate in changed name
3. Deed poll/sworn affidavit as per Annexure “E”

Hence, a leading newspaper cutting is not required to be submitted.

Owner, Partners and Directors of Companies which are members of CII, FICCI & ASSOCHAM

Q:
what additional documents need to be submitted for a Director of a company which is a member of CII, FICCI & ASSOCHAM?

A:
To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.

Citizenship of India (Other than by Birth)

Q:
Definition of citizenship of India by birth, descent, registration, naturalization.

A:

1. Citizen of India by birth: You are Citizen of India by birth if you are born in India.
2. Citizen of India by descent: You are Citizen of India by descent if you are born outside India and either of your parents is a citizen of India at the time of your birth.
3. Citizen of India by registration/naturalization: You are Citizen of India by Registration/Naturalization if you have been granted Indian Citizenship by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Q:
I am born out side India Can I apply for Indian passport?

A:
Indian passport can be issued to the “Citizen of India by Descent” i.e. person born to Indian parent(s) outside India.

Dependent Family Members of Government/PSU/Statutory body employees

Q:
What is procedure or documents needs to submitted for dependents of Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees in the normal process?

A:
Dependent family members of Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees can be issued passport without police verification, if they submit the following additional documents along with their application form:

1. “Identity Certificate” in original as per Annexure “B” (of dependent)
2. Standard Affidavit as per Annexure “I”

Otherwise, passport would be issued to them on pre police verification basis, or post police verification basis – if they apply under Tatkaal scheme.

Applicants who have changed their names in past

Q:
How to update my name in passport after marriage/divorce?

A:
To change the name in the passport, you have to apply for a “Reissue” of passport and get the specified change done in the personal particulars.
To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.

Q:
I am a married lady and i can not provide  prescribed marriage certificate or joint affidavit due to marital discord or separation.can i apply for passport with out these document?

A:
Such applicants have to submit an Affidavit sworn before First Class Judicial Magistrate on Non-Judicial stamp paper as per specimen provided in Annexure ‘K’: Section G of the passport instruction booklet.

Applicants who are convicted or court case is pending against them

Q:
I have court case running against me can i apply for passport? will my passport application gets rejected if i have court case running against me?

A:
If a criminal case is pending against you in any court, you can be issued a passport subject to the condition that you enclose a written permission granted by the court allowing you to travel abroad. Normally a short validity passport valid for one year is issued, subject to conditions if any, mentioned in the Court order as per GSR 570 (E) dated 25 August, 1993.

Applicants who have been repatriated/deported.

Q:
The applicant has repatriated from abroad at Government cost and wants to apply for a fresh passport. However he/she does not have a proof of refund of repatriation cost to Ministry of External Affairs. What should he/she do?

A:
He/she should meet the Assistant Passport Officer (APO) at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Validity Expired

Q:

Can I apply for reissuance of passport if my passport has expired 4 years ago?

What are procedure to apply for reissue of expired passport.
I have a passport expired four/five years ago. Can I apply for reissue of mu passport?

A:
You have to fill up the Passport Application Form and apply for “Reissue of Passport”. You can submit the filled in application form at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSKwith in the jurisdiction of your Passport Office (PO). You must carry original and self attested photocopy of your expired passport and proof of your address. Fresh police verification is initiated if the passport has expired more than three years ago. Hence, fresh police verification will be required in your case.

You have to fill up the Passport Application Form and apply for “Reissue of Passport”. You can submit the filled in application form at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSKwith in the jurisdiction of your Passport Office (PO). You must carry original and self attested photocopy of your expired passport and proof of your address. Fresh police verification is initiated if the passport has expired more than three years ago. Hence, fresh police verification will be required in your case.

You need to apply for “Reissue” of passport and submit the filled in application form at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/ A new passport booklet would be issued to you.

Q:
What are the documents or procedure required for applying passport which is expired 3 years ago

A:
Fresh police verification would take place if you apply for reissue of passport after expiry of old passport more than three years ago.

Q:
I have lost my passport what shall I do, what is the procedure for applying duplicate passport when passport is lost?

A:
You need to apply for “Reissue” of passport

Damaged Passport

Q:
Can you explain damaged passport or definition of damaged passport?

A:
Damaged passport is classified further based on the extent of damage, i.e.:

1. Damaged Passport – Passport number is readable, name is legible and Photo is intact

2. Damaged beyond recognition

Q:
How I need to apply for duplicate replacement passport when my passport is damaged or lost?

A:
To apply for duplicate passport in case of lost or damaged passport, you have to fill the Passport Application form and apply for “Reissue” of passport.

Lost/Stolen Passport

Q:
I lost my passport, what I should do next?

A:
Loss of passport should be immediately reported to the nearest Police Station and to the Passport Office (PO) or Indian Mission, if abroad. You can apply for “Reissue” of passport at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and submit the required documents along with your passport application form.
To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.

Q:
Whether I will get new passport no or same number in case of lost passport ?

A:
The new passport will have a new passport number, with a fresh validity of 10 years.

Q:
I have lost my valid passport, I do not have any details or zerox of the passport. Can passport office or PSK can trace my details and provide the details to apply duplicate passport? Whom I need to contact in such case?

A:
You need to visit Assistant Passport Officer (APO) at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Q:
I lost my passport during my foreign visit, I need to travel urgently to to India what I need to do? Whom I need to approach?

A:
If you have lost your passport during travelling, then you can come to India on the basis of “Emergency Certificate”. For the issuance of “Emergency Certificate”, you need to contact the respective mission/post of that country.

Q:
I live outside India and I lost my passport, what I need to do to apply for a duplicate passport and I don’t have zerox copy of the passport.

A:
Photocopy of the old passport is not a mandatory document to be submitted in case of lost/damaged/stolen passport. It should be produced, if it is available. But you will have to produce, the previous passport details like Passport number, Date of issue, Date of expiry and Place of issue, while filling the passport application form. If you do not have that information, then contact the respective mission/post of that country.

Exhaustion of Pages

Q:
I have exhausted all pages in my passport or all my passport pages are filled.

What I need to do now to get new booklet? I have still 6 years validity will I get new 10 years validity?

A:
You need to (Mini PSK) apply for “Reissue” of passport. A new passport booklet would be issued to you with a fresh validity of 10 years.

Q:
When an additional booklet/additional pages issued?
OR
My passport is nearly full but is valid for another 4 years, is it possible to add extra pages?

A:
Additional pages are not added to a passport booklet. If the pages in the passport booklet have exhausted, you need to apply for “Reissue” of passport and submit the filled in application form at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/ A new passport booklet would be issued to you.
To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.

Validity Due to Expire

Q:
My passport will expire in one years. Can I apply for new passport?

A:
You can apply for a reissue of passport up to 1 year before the expiry or within three years after the expiry of the existing passport without fresh police verification, provided there is clear police report with respect to your previous passport and there is no adverse entry in the system. You can also apply for reissue of passport if your last passport has expired more than three years ago, but fresh police verification would take place.

Q:
what is validity period for Indian passport?

A:
In case of adults, 10-year validity passport would be issued. In case of minors, the validity of passport is restricted to 5 years or till they attain the age of 18, whichever is earlier. But the minors between 15 to 18 years of age can apply either for a 10-year validity passport or for a passport which is valid till they attain the age of 18 years. Different fees are applicable depending upon the category they are applying for Further, most of the embassies who issue visas insist on the passport validity being at least of six months to one year before they consider issuing visas. Accordingly, apply for reissue well before time and save the last minute rush.

Q:
I need to apply for reissue of passport due to validity expiry, I do not have my birth certificate what shall I do now?

A:
If your passport is due to expire, you need to apply for “Reissue” of passport. In case of “Reissue” of passport, you need to submit a date of birth proof, if either your old passport has been lost/damaged or you want to change date of birth details in the passport.

Q:
In case Short Validity passport what will be the validity period given when it is applied for renewal?

A:
If you apply for renewal of a Short Validity Passport (SVP), then the validity of passport would be decided by Assistant Passport Officer (APO).

Change of Appearance

Q:
What is the procedure for updating the photograph in case of appearance change or child’s passport ?

A:
To change the photograph in the passport, you have to apply for a “Reissue” of passport and get the specified change done in the personal particulars