Apply and Track Passport Status – A passport is a necessary document when you want to travel outside India. A valid passport is essential for your vacation, business trip, studying abroad, a pilgrimage, or more. Those thinking of traveling abroad for the first time will need to apply for a passport.
Some of you might be unaware of the documents required for passport application India. Don’t worry; we have all the essential information related to passport application, passport status, required documents, etc. We will discuss critical information about passports, including the types of passports in India, passport fees, the validity of passport India, and more.
Types of Passports in India
Below are the three types of passports in India:-
- Regular Passport/ Ordinary Passport: This is India’s most common type of passport. It is used for general purposes, i.e., traveling abroad for vacation, business, etc.
- Diplomatic Passport: As the name suggests, it is for members of the Indian government who are authorized to make official government business trips.
- Official Passport: The Government of India issues an official passport to designated Government officials/individuals deputed overseas on any official assignments.
How to Apply for Passport Online India?
Indian citizens can apply online for a passport through the Passport Seva App or Passport Seva Website. Here are the detailed step-by-step guides to do the same:-
Step 1: Register on the passport seva portal.
Step 2: Close the pop-up, look for the option “New User Registration,” and click on it to apply for a passport.
Step 3: Under the ‘Register to apply at’ option, choose the “Passport Office” option.
Step 4: Fill in all the details, such as your name, date of birth, and Email ID. Set your Login ID and 8-digit password, enter the hint question and answer, and enter the Captcha code displayed on the screen.
Step 5: Now click the “Register” button. You will receive a confirmation mail on your email ID.
Step 6: Go to your email and scroll down; click the ID activation link. Once you click the link, you will be redirected to the official website.
Step 7: Enter the User ID you have set and click on the “Submit” button. Your account will be activated.
Step 8: Now login with your User ID & Password on the “Existing User Login” page.
Step 9: Click on the “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport” option. A new page will open; click on the “Click here to fill out the application form” link.
Step 10: Select your state and district from the list. Once the page reloads, select the option “Fresh Passport.” Select the type of application option as “Normal,” and choose the Booklet type as “36 Pages.” Click on the “Next” button.
Note: If you select the Tatkal type of application instead of Normal, you will be charged some extra fees. Also, if you travel frequently, you can choose the Booklet Type as 60 pages instead of 36 pages.
Step 11: A new page will open; on this page, fill in all the details related to the following points –
- Applicants Details
- Family Details
- Present residential address
- Emergency Contact Details
- Identity Certificate/Passport Details
- Other Details (Answer some basic questions related to the applicant)
- Passport Details Verification (Verify that all the details are correct or not on a digital copy of the passport)
- Self Declaration (Fill in the declaration form and attach DOB proof and Address proof documents using Digilocker)
Step 12: Now click the “Preview Application form” and print this form.
Step 13: Finally, hit the “Submit” button and Pay the Passport Application Fee to schedule your visit to the Passport office.
Step 14: Print your “appointment receipt,” which will help you during the Passport office visit.
Note: After the payment is successful, you will see all the details on the screen, including your scheduled appointment date and time. You will have to reach the passport office on that particular date and verify all your documents.
Your biometric details and photographs will be taken at the passport office. Once verification is done at the passport office, the government will conduct a police verification; once the verification is completed, you will receive your passport at the provided address.
Documents Required for Passport Application India
At the time of your appointment, applicants are advised to keep all the necessary documents with them. They should keep the original documents and copies of those documents at the time of the appointment.
Documents List for Passport Seva Kendra Appointment
Following are the documents required for your passport Seva Kendra appointment:-
- Print of the Passport Application Form
- Proof of Date of Birth
- Proof of Address
For Proof of Date of Birth, valid documents include:
- PAN Card
- Aadhar Card/ eAadhar
- Driving License
- Voter ID
- Birth Certificate
- School Transfer Certificate
For Proof of Address, valid documents include:
- Electricity Bill
- Rental Agreement
- Water Bill
- Landline/ Postpaid Mobile Bill
- Passbook of Running Bank Account
- Voter ID Card
- Gas Connection Proof
- Aadhar Card
- Copy of First and Last Page of Parents’ Passport – for minors
Passport Status Tracking and Issuance
To track your passport status, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the Passport Seva Portal
Step 2: Search for “Track Application Status.”
Step 3: A new page will open, showing the application Type, File Number, and Date of Birth.
Step 4: Select “Track Status.”
Validity of a Passport India
For adults, the validity of a passport is 10 years (for a regular passport, 36-60 pages). For minors, until they reach 18 years, validity is 5 years, whereas for minors aged between 15 – 18 years, their passport has a validity of 10 years.
Passport Fees India
Based on the type of passport, there are different fee structures in India. For a fresh/ new passport (36 pages) with 10 years validity, the fee is 1,500/- INR for a normal passport and INR 2000/- Tatkal service.
Type of Service | Fee (in Rs.) | Extra fee for Tatkaal Service (in Rs.) |
Fresh passport (containing 36 pages) with ten years of validity | 1,500 | 2,000 |
Re-issuance of passport (containing 36 pages) with ten years of validity | 1,500 | 2,000 |
Fresh passport (having 60 pages) with ten years of validity | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Re-issuance of passport (having 60 pages) with ten years of validity | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Re-issuance or fresh of passport people below 18 years of age | 1,000 | 2,000 |
Passport replacement (having 36 pages) due to damaged or stolen passport | 3,000 | 2,000 |
Passport replacement (having 60 pages) due to damaged or stolen passport | 3,500 | 2,000 |
Passport replacement (having 36 pages) to alter personal information | 1,500 | 2,000 |
Passport replacement (having 60 pages) to alter personal information | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Passport replacement (having 36 pages) for children to alter personal information | 1,000 | 2,000 |
Passport Renewal Process India
You need to have an account on the Passport Seva Portal to start your passport renewal process India. If you don’t already have the account, sign up and log in. Follow these steps for the renewal of your passport:-
Step 1: Go to the official Passport Seva Portal.
Step 2: Click on “New User Registration.”
Step 3: Select your nearest Passport Office based on your residential address.
Step 4: Enter all the required details, enter the correct Captcha, and click on “Register.”
Step 5: You will receive an activation link on your email ID.
Step 6: You can now apply to renew your passport.
Step 7: Visit the official portal and search for “Apply for Fresh Passport/ Re-Issue of Passport.”
Step 8: Fill out the application form and upload all the required documents.
Step 9: Verify all the details you have entered and upload the form at last click on “Submit.”
Conclusion
Everything has been digitized, and we can easily obtain various online services in no time. Just like that, applying for a fresh/renewed passport is also an easy task. You can fill out the form and carry out further procedures yourself. Ensure you have all the necessary documents, and then you can quickly and easily apply for a passport.
FAQs
Q. What are the documents required for an Indian passport?
Ans. The documents required for an Indian passport include Identity Proof, Address Proof, Birth Proof, and some more documents based on your category. All the required documents are mentioned above in the Documents Required for Passport Application India section.
Q. How many days does it take to get an Indian Passport?
Ans. It generally takes around 30-45 days for a normal passport. The process of Tatkaal passport application India takes around 7-14 days. Once you apply for a passport, remember that you can check your passport status.
Q. What is the validity of the Indian Passport?
Ans. For adults, the validity of passport India is 10 years, whereas for Minors, the validity is 5 years.
Q. How do I check the passport Status of an Indian passport application?
Ans. To check the passport status, go to the official Passport Seva Portal and go to “Track Application Status.” You must enter your File Number/ Application Number and Date of Birth.
Q. Is the 10th mark sheet required for an Indian passport?
Ans. It is not necessary to have a 10th marksheet, but it can be used as the Date of Birth proof document. Additional useful documents such as Birth certificates, School leaving certificates, and SSLC certificates can also be used as the Date of Birth proof certificate.
Q. Is a birth certificate mandatory for a passport in India?
Ans. It is not mandatory as a document while applying for a passport in India.