Passport Complete Guide

A Passport is an official government document that certifies the holder's identity and nationality, primarily used for international travel. In India, passports are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs through Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs).

Indian passports come in different types: Regular (Blue), Diplomatic (Maroon), Official (White), and Emergency Certificate. They contain holder's personal details, photograph, signature, and are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors.

Applying for a fresh passport involves several steps from online registration to document verification at PSK. The process is streamlined through the Passport Seva portal.

• Step 1: Register on Passport Seva portal
• Step 2: Fill online application form
• Step 3: Pay application fees online
• Step 4: Book appointment at nearest PSK/POPSK
• Step 5: Visit PSK for document verification and biometrics
• Step 6: Police verification initiated
• Step 7: Passport dispatched after verification

Required Documents for Fresh Passport:

• Proof of Date of Birth: Birth certificate, PAN card, 10th marksheet
• Address Proof: Aadhaar, Voter ID, Utility bills, Rent agreement
• Identity Proof: PAN card, Driving licence, Government ID
• Other Documents: Annexure forms (if applicable), Old passport (for renewal)
• Photographs: 2 recent passport size color photographs

Passport renewal should be done when your passport is about to expire (within 1 year) or has already expired (within 3 years). The process is similar to fresh application but simpler.

When to Renew Passport:

• Expiry within 1 year (can apply for renewal)
• Already expired (within 3 years)
• Change in personal particulars (name, address, etc.)
• Exhaustion of visa pages
• Damaged or mutilated passport
• Change in appearance (for minors becoming adults)

Renewal Process Steps:

• Login to Passport Seva portal with existing credentials
• Select "Re-issue of Passport" option
• Fill online application form with updated details
• Upload required documents (old passport, address proof if changed)
• Pay renewal fees online
• Book appointment at PSK/POPSK
• Visit PSK for document verification (old passport surrender)
• Police verification (if address changed or other reasons)
• New passport dispatched via India Post

Note: For renewal without change in address, police verification is usually waived if you have previous passport with same address.

Police verification is a crucial step in passport issuance to verify the applicant's credentials and address. It's conducted by the local police station of your residential address.

Types of Police Verification:

• Pre-Police Verification: Done before passport issuance (for fresh applications, address change)
• Post-Police Verification: Done after passport issuance (for renewal without address change)
• Supplementary Verification: Additional verification if initial report is incomplete

Police Verification Process:

• Passport office sends verification request to police
• Local police station receives verification request
• Police officer visits applicant's residence for verification
• Verification of documents and interviews with neighbors
• Police submits verification report to passport office
• Passport office processes report (clearance/rejection)
• Applicant notified about verification status

How to Track Police Verification Status:

• Use Passport Seva portal status tracker
• Contact local police station directly
• Email Regional Passport Office (RPO)
• Use mPassport Seva mobile app
• Call Passport Seva helpline: 1800-258-1800

The Tatkal passport scheme is for urgent passport requirements where applicants can get their passport issued faster than normal processing time by paying additional fees.

Eligibility for Tatkal Passport:

• Urgent travel within next few days
• Medical emergency requiring travel abroad
• Admission to foreign educational institution
• Job offer requiring immediate travel
• Family emergency abroad
• Business commitments requiring travel

Tatkal Passport Fees (Additional):

• Fresh Passport (36 pages): ₹2,000 + normal fees
• Fresh Passport (60 pages): ₹2,000 + normal fees
• Passport Renewal (36 pages): ₹2,000 + normal fees
• Passport Renewal (60 pages): ₹2,000 + normal fees
• Minor Passport: ₹2,000 + normal fees

Tatkal Passport Process:

• Select "Tatkal" option while filling online form
• Submit proof of urgency (travel tickets, medical documents, etc.)
• Pay additional Tatkal fees along with normal fees
• Get earlier appointment at PSK (Tatkal slots)
• Complete document verification at PSK
• Police verification completed within 1-3 days
• Passport printed and dispatched within 1-3 working days

Booking an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) is mandatory for passport application. Appointments can be booked online through the Passport Seva portal.

Types of Appointments:

• Normal Appointment: Regular slots for standard processing
• Tatkal Appointment: Urgent slots for emergency cases
• POPSK Appointment: At Post Office Passport Seva Kendras
• Special Category: For senior citizens, infants, disabled
• Group Appointment: For families applying together

How to Book Appointment:

• Complete online application and payment
• Click "Schedule Appointment" on dashboard
• Select PSK/POPSK location from available options
• Choose date and time slot from available calendar
• Confirm appointment and print appointment receipt
• Note Application Reference Number (ARN)
• Carry printed receipt and documents to PSK

Tips for Appointment Booking:

• Book appointment early morning for better slot availability
• Choose nearest PSK/POPSK to save travel time
• Check slot availability daily (new slots released regularly)
• Reschedule if needed (maximum 2 reschedules allowed)
• Print appointment receipt in color (recommended)
• Save ARN number for tracking and reference

PSK Visit Process:

• Arrive 30 minutes before appointment time
• Security check at entrance
• Token generation at reception counter
• Document verification at counter A
• Biometric data capture (fingerprints, photograph) at counter B
• Interview with Passport Officer at counter C
• Receive acknowledgment slip with file number
• Track application status using file number