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Passport application: How to apply for a passport online?
Team AckoFeb 1, 2024
Over the years, globalisation has given a boost to international travelling. But unlike domestic travel, international journeys require the travelling individual to possess a document called a passport. As a result, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs receives a huge number of passport applications regularly.
To fulfil the increasing demand for passports, the government has established the Passport Seva portal. It allows citizens across the nation to submit their passport applications, pay fees, and book appointments conveniently. In this article, we have compiled the steps to help you understand how to apply for a passport in India.
Contents
- How to apply for a passport online in India
- Documents required for online passport application
- Fees charged for passport application
- Eligibility criteria for passport application
- Validity of a passport
- Processing time after passport application submission
- How to track the status of your passport application
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to apply for a passport online in India
Here are different steps to apply online for a passport in India.
1. Log in to the Passport Seva portal
First of all, you need to log in to your Passport Seva website account.
Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva platform online and click on “New User Registration” or “Existing User Login”, based on your registration status.
Step 2: As a new user, you can follow the registration process. (Existing users can move to the next step.)
Step 3: Use your credentials (password and login ID) and complete captcha verification to log in.
2. Select a type of passport application
Once you are logged in, select among the following options for the passport application process.
Fresh passport or Reissue of passport
Official passport or diplomatic passport
3. Fill out your online application
Here are the passport application steps you need to follow online.
Step 1: Click on the type of passport application you want to apply for.
Step 2: Fill in the requested details accurately.
Step 3: Check all details carefully and hit the “Submit” button.
4. Pay the fees and schedule an appointment
After submitting your online application, the following steps will help you pay the necessary fees and schedule an appointment.
Step 1: Head back to the home page to select the option “View Saved/Submitted Applications”.
Step 2: Now, choose the option “Pay and Schedule Appointment” among all choices visible on your screen.
Step 3: Select the PSK or Passport Seva Kendra and schedule an appointment.
Step 4: Pay the requested fees for the process through the online payment mode of your choice.
Step 5: Take a printout of the application receipt or refer to the SMS sent to your mobile phone containing your Application Reference Number (ARN).
Finally, you can pay a visit to the selected PSK on the date and time of your appointment, carrying all the original documents for verification.
Documents required for online passport application
An applicant needs to submit the below-mentioned documents for a new passport application online or offline.
Proof of address (Such as Aadhaar card, utility bill, rent agreement, etc.)
Proof of age (Such as Aadhaar card, Birth Certificate, PAN card, Voter ID etc.)
Non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) documentary proof (if applicable)
Fees charged for passport application
Here is a list of fees levied for different passport-related services.
| Type of service | Fee (in Rs.) | Additional fee for Tatkaal service (in Rs.) |
| Fresh passport (containing 36 pages) with 10 years of validity | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Re-issuance of passport (containing 36 pages) with 10 years of validity | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Fresh passport (containing 60 pages) with 10 years of validity | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Re-issuance of passport (containing 60 pages) with 10 years of validity | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Fresh/re-issuance of passport for applicants below the age of 18 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 36 pages) due to stolen/damaged passport | 3,000 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 60 pages) due to stolen/damaged passport | 3,500 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 36 pages) to change personal details | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 60 pages) to change personal details | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 36 pages) for minors to change personal details | 1,000 | 2,000 |
Eligibility criteria for passport application
The following are certain criteria that make an individual eligible to apply for a passport in India.
The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
Adults (18 years or older) can submit a passport application.
Minors (below the age of 18) can also apply for a passport in India. Minors (aged between 15 and 18) can opt for a full 10-year validity passport.
Validity of a passport
In case you want to know about the expiry or validity of your passport, here’s an overview.
A regular passport containing 36 or 60 pages comes with 10 years of validity from its issuance date.
A passport for minors comes with 5 years of validity or until the minor reaches 18 years of age, whichever occurs earlier.
A passport for minors aged between 15 to 18 years can also come with a full validity of 10 years.
Processing time after passport application submission
The processing time for a passport depends on the type of application and associated complexities.
| Types of service | Dispatch time |
| Normal passport application | 3 working days or more (depending on the type of police verification involved in the process) |
| Tatkaal passport application | 1 to 3 working days (depending on the type of police verification involved in the process) |
| Application with complex cases (like adoption, doubtful documentation, etc.) | Approximately 30 working days |
How to track the status of your passport application
After completing the process, you can use the official portal to track the status of your passport application using the following steps.
Step 1: Visit the home page of the Passport Seva platform.
Step 2: Click on the button named “Track Application Status”.
Step 3: On the next screen, add details like your “Application Type”, “File Number”, and “Date of Birth”.
Step 4: Click on the “Track Status” button to view the status of your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are some of the common questions about applying for a passport online in India.
What are the benefits of the online Passport Seva platform?
The official Passport Seva website helps with the online submission of fresh passport applications. Moreover, you can apply for re-issuance of a passport in case of expiration, damages, change of details, loss, theft, etc. After application submission, you can track its status during the processing period.
Can I apply for a Police Clearance Certificate via the Passport Seva website?
Yes, you can apply for a Police Clearance Certificate via the Passport Seva website.
Can I use the Passport Seva portal for my Identity Certificate application?
Yes, you can submit an application for the Identity Certificate via the Passport Seva portal.
How to apply for a passport offline in India?
You can download the application form available on the official website. Then, visit your closest Passport Seva Kendra or Passport Seva office with the filled-out form and associated documents. Submit the documents and pay the requested fee.
Is it possible to make changes to a passport application after submission?
You can make changes to your passport application by visiting the Passport Seva Kendra, where you submitted your application. The Citizen Service Executive or CSE can authorise the necessary changes to the passport application. However, it would be better to carefully fill out the form before you submit it to avoid complications during processing.
Can I cancel my passport application after submission?
Yes, you can cancel your passport application at most 3 days before the appointment date. Simply visit the online Parivahan Seva portal and select “Submitted/View Saved Applications”. Then, move to the “Schedule Appointment” button to find the option for application cancellation.
How to book an appointment for a passport application?
You can visit the Passport Seva portal and book an appointment under the option “Pay and Schedule Appointment”. Paying the requested fees is mandatory in order to select a PSK and schedule an appointment.
Can I postpone my passport appointment date?
Yes, you are allowed to reschedule the date of your passport appointment two times in one year calculated from the original date of appointment.
What kind of payment modes are available at the Passport Seva portal?
To submit your application and book an appointment at Passport Seva, you can pay the fees via one of the following payment methods.
Credit or Debit card (MasterCard or Visa)
SBI Bank Challan
SBI Internet Banking
Internet Banking using other banks
Disclaimer: The information mentioned on this page is compiled from different websites and government sources. The information may be updated from time to time. Hence, please refer to the respective government websites and verify before making any passport-related decisions.
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