FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1:         What are the various passport services and which form has to be filled in?

Ans:        The various passport services are:

Issue of Fresh Passport: You can apply for fresh passport if applying for the first time.

Re-issue of Passport: You can apply for re-issue of passport if you want another passport in lieu of an existing passport for any of the following reasons:

Change in existing personal particulars.

Validity expired within 3 years/ Due to expire.

Validity expired more than 3 years ago.

Exhaustion of pages.

Damaged passport.

Lost passport.

While applying under Fresh Issuance category - please make sure you never held a Passport of the applied category (i.e. Ordinary Passport, Diplomatic Passport or Official Passport) in the past.

For instance, if you ever held an Ordinary passport (Deep Blue colour) in the past but never held any Diplomatic (maroon colour) or Official (white colour) passport - you need to apply under Reissue category if applying for an Ordinary Passport while choose the Fresh category if applying for a Diplomatic or Official passport. Similarly, if you have/held a Diplomatic (or Official) Passport but do not have/held an Ordinary Passport - you need to apply for Ordinary Passport under Fresh category while choose the Reissue category if applying for Diplomatic (or Official) passport.

Miscellaneous Service:

Issue of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

Q2:         What types of passports are issued in India?

Ans:        Following three types of passports are issued in India:

Ordinary Passport: An ordinary passport has blue cover, and consists of 36 or 60 pages. It is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and can be renewed for another 10 years. An Indian citizen can use this passport for ordinary vacation or business travel.

Diplomatic Passport: Has maroon cover ; Issued to designated members of the national government, judiciary , statutory authorities, diplomats, official public couriers and any other person specifically authorised by the Govt

Official Passport: Has grey cover ; Issued to designated Non-gazetted govt servants or any other person specifically authorised by the Govt deputed abroad on government business.

Q3:         How do I apply for a passport in the new system?

Ans:        For issue of fresh passport and re-issue of passport, you need to fill the application form online via e-Form Submission (preferred) or via Online Form Submission. 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) or the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) to give their biometrics(fingerprints) and photographs.

Q4:         What is the definition of minor for issue of passport?

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

Q5:         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?

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

Q6:         In case of minor's passport, whose father is in abroad, is it mandatory to obtain father's consent to apply for the child's passport? If so, what is the procedure?

Ans:        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 re-issue of passport and get the specified change done in personal particulars. If one parent is in abroad, Annexure D OR Annexure C can be submitted by other parent (in case Annexure D can not be arranged). To see the format of Annexure C, please click on "Annexures/Affidavits" link on Home page.

Q7:         We are planning to apply for passports for our kids (minors). Is it necessary that my name should be included in my wife's passport?

Ans:        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 re-issue 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.

Q8:         Is it necessary that both parents should have passport before applying for their child's passport?

Ans:        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.

Q9:         I am a minor who is 16 years old. Is it possible for me to obtain a full validity passport of 10 years?

Ans:       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.

Q10:       What would be the validity of a minor's passport?

Ans:        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 aged 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.

Q11:       Who can apply for my minor daughter's passport in India as I am on ship at Singapore as second engineer?

Ans:        Either parent/guardian can apply for minor's passport. You would however need to get Annexure D 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.

Q12:       Is it true that passport applications for minors under 18 require consent of either both parents or legal guardian?

Ans:        It is necessary that either parent/legal guardian should give his / her 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 "D"

2.            Applied by Legal Guardian    -       Annexure "D"

3.            Minors with single parent (One parent deceased)      -      Annexure "D"

4.            Applied by one parent/guardian when consent of one or both parents is not possible  -  Annexure "C"

Q13:       My spouse is living in another country. How do I get his/her signature for consent while applying for my child's passport?

Ans:        Consent of the spouse, who is abroad, is required for submitting the application of their child. It should be in the form of Annexure D self attested by the parents. To check the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on "Documents Required" link on Home page.

Q14:       I want to apply for my child's passport. Are signatures of both parents mandatory on Annexure D to be submitted along with the application? What if my spouse is refusing to sign the form?

Ans:        Yes, the signature of both the parents is mandatory on Annexure D 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 D 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 C. To see the format of Annexure D and C, please click on "Annexures/Affidavits" link on Home page.

Q15:       I wish to apply for a passport for my child who is 12 months old. Can I apply for a 60 pages booklet?

Ans:        No. Only 36 pages passport booklet are issued to minors.

Q16:       If parents have passport with adverse Police Verification Report or they have a criminal background, can passport be issued to minor on an urgent basis?

Ans:        In such cases, minors can be issued passport under Tatkaal scheme subject to the approval of the RPO / Competent Authority

Q17:       I want to apply for my minor child's passport. I hold a valid passport but spouse name is not endorsed. Can I apply for my child's passport without submitting my passport copy?

Ans:       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 re-issue of passport and get the specified change done in personal particulars.

Q18:       Do I need to carry photographs of my 3 months old child while visiting the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/ Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)/ Passport Office (PO)?

Ans:       Minor applicants below the age of 4 years need to carry a passport size photograph for the processing of application at the PSK/POPSK/PO. For applicants above the age of 4 years, photographs will be captured at the PSK/POPSK/PO itself. 

Q19:       What is the fee payable for the passport of a minor?

Ans:        The Ministry announced a new scheme with effect from 24 June, 2017 in respect of minors upto the age of eight years under which a discount of 10 per cent is given on the applicable passport fee for all fresh applications for passports to such persons. The applicable fee for the passport of minor is Rs. 1,000.

Q20:       I am a pensioner or have a senior's card; can I have a senior's passport?

Ans:        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 greater than 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.

Q21:       What benefits do senior citizens get for issuance of passport?

 Ans:        Senior Citizens can be issued a passport on post police verification basis if they submit copy of child's (Age greater than 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. The Ministry announced a new scheme with effect from 24 June, 2017 in respect of senior citizens (age of 60 & above) under which a discount of 10 per cent is given on the applicable passport fee for all fresh applications for passports to such persons.

Q22:       I recently got married/divorced. How do I change my name on my passport?

Ans:       To change the name in the passport, you have to apply for a "Re-issue" 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.

Q23:       I am a married lady and want to apply for a fresh passport. I am unable to provide the prescribed marriage certificate or joint affidavit due to marital discord or separation. What should I do?

Ans:        Married applicants would not be required to provide any marriage certificate.

Q24:       My passport expired 4 years ago. Can it be reissued? What is the procedure to re-issue it?

 Ans:        You have to fill up the Passport Application Form and apply for "Re-issue of Passport". You can submit the filled in application form at a nearby authorized Passport application submission centre (PSK/POPSK/Camp/DPC/SPC/CSC) after registering as PSP User (on PSP portal (www.passportindia.gov.in) or mPassport Seva mobile app (available on Android and iOS platforms)) with the RPO to which your preferred application submission centre is linked. 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.

Q25:       What are the additional requirements if passport has expired more than three years ago?

Ans:        Fresh police verification would take place if you apply for re-issue of passport after expiry of old passport more than three years ago.

Q26:       I'm 25 now, but my last passport was issued when I was 15. What should I do?

Ans:        You need to apply for "Re-issue" of passport.

Q27:       What is the definition of damaged passport?

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

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

     Damaged beyond recognition/ mutilated/smudged entries/washed out

Q28:       What is the procedure to apply for duplicate passport in case of lost or damaged passport?

Ans:        To apply for duplicate passport in case of lost or damaged passport, you have to fill the Passport Application form and apply for "Re-issue" of passport.

Q29:       What do I do if I lose my passport?

Ans:        Loss of passport should be immediately reported to the nearest Police Station and to the Passport Office or Indian Mission, if abroad. You can apply for "Re-issue" of passport at your nearest 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.

Q30:       I lost my passport recently. I've applied for a duplicate passport. I want to know if the new passport will have the same number as my old passport, or a new number?

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

Q31:       I recently lost my valid passport, but do not have the details. Will it be possible for the Passport Office to trace the details from your system and give them to me for filling my application form for a duplicate/new passport?

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

Q32:       What can I do if I have lost my passport and have to travel to India urgently due to an emergency like serious illness or death in the family?

Ans:       You need to contact the respective Indian Mission/Post to apply for issuance of another Passport. An Emergency Certificate (EC) may also be issued for returning to India after verification of Indian nationality/origin/particulars.

Q33:       I am an Indian living abroad. I lost my Indian passport but I don't have photocopy of the same. What should I do?

Ans:       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 be required 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 Indian mission/post in that country.

Q34:       The pages in my passport booklet have exhausted, but it has a validity of 5 years. What is the procedure to apply for new booklet?

Ans:        You need to apply for "Re-issue" of passport. A new passport booklet would be issued to you with a fresh validity of 10 years.

Q35:       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?

Ans:         Additional pages are not added to a passport booklet. If the pages in the passport booklet have exhausted, you need to apply for "Re-issue" of passport and submit the filled in application form at your nearest PSK/POPSK.. 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.

Q36:       My passport will expire in 2 years. What should I do?

Ans:        You can apply for a re-issue 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 no change in personal particulars and 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 re-issue of passport if your previous passport expired more than three years ago, but fresh police verification would take place.

Q37:       How long is a passport valid?

Ans:        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 foreign missions/embassies insist on the passport validity of at least of six months to one year before they consider issuing visas. Accordingly, it is advisable to apply for re-issue well before time to avoid last minute rush.