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Passport For Minors: Eligibility, Documents Required And How To Apply?

Team AckoApr 15, 2025

A minor passport is an official travel document issued to children under 18 years old, allowing them to travel internationally. It serves as proof of identity and nationality. A minor passport should be applied for by the child's parent or legal guardian. The validity of a minor passport is for 5 years or until the minor attains the age of 18, whichever is earlier.

However, before you begin the application, it's important to know the common reasons why minor passport applications get rejected.

Take a quick look to avoid the most common pitfalls:

passport-for-minors

When applying for a minor passport, the procedure and documentation differ slightly from adults. Earlier, minors could travel with an endorsement on their father's passport; however, now, passports are issued to minors based on an application submitted by their parents or legal guardians. This article will guide you through the documents required for minor passport in India and the process of applying for a minor passport.

Contents

Key Features of Minor Passport in India:
Who Can Apply for a Minor Passport?
How to Apply for Minor Passport Online in India:
Validity of Minor Passport
Eligibility Required for Minor Passport
Documents Required for Minors to Apply for a Fresh Passport
Fees & Charges for Minor Passport in India
- Fresh Passport Charges for Minors
- Reissue Passport Charges for Minors
Payment Modes for Minor Passport
Processing Time for Minor Passports in India
How to Renew a Minor’s Passport Online in India?
Protecting your Minor Passport
FAQs on Minor Passport in India

Key Features of Minor Passport in India:

Category	Specification
Minor Passport Fees	INR 1000 - 5500
Validity	5 Years or 10 Years
Processing Time	Normal: 3-4 Weeks, Tatkal: 1-3 Days
Police Procedure	Needed for 10-Year Validity Passport
Total Number of Pages	36 Pages

Note: The minor passport requirements and fees for kids passport may change according to government regulations and the type of service chosen.

Who Can Apply for a Minor Passport?

A minor passport application can be submitted by a parent or legal guardian. Both parents’ consent is generally required unless one parent is absent. If you're wondering how to get a child passport with one parent absent in India, it can still be done by submitting the necessary supporting documents; such as a notarised affidavit (Annexure C), a court decree of custody, or a declaration explaining the absence. In such scenarios, the documents required for kids passport must clearly establish legal guardianship and authorisation from the applying parent or guardian.

How to Apply for Minor Passport Online in India:

Here’s how to apply for a passport for kids in India online:

Register the minor on the Passport Seva Website.
Create a login ID and password.
Fill in the application form for a minor passport.
After submission, make the payment and schedule an appointment.

This process applies to all types of minor passport applications, including those for passport for 2-year-old baby in India.

Validity of Minor Passport

A minor's passport is typically valid for 5 years or until the child turns 18 years old, whichever comes earlier. However, minors aged 15 to 18 can apply for a 10-year validity passport. Below are the relevant documents and annexures required based on different scenarios:

Scenario / Purpose	Supporting Document	Annexure
Certificate of identity issued for minor	Certificate of Identity	Annexure A
Declaration by one parent or guardian (when the other is absent)	One-parent Declaration	Annexure C
Declaration by both parents or legal guardian	Parent/Guardian Declaration	Annexure D
Lost or damaged minor passport	Specimen Affidavit	Annexure F
No Objection Certificate in special circumstances	NOC	Annexure G
Prior intimation to passport office	Prior Intimation Letter	Annexure H
Declaration affirming information in the application	Information Declaration	Annexure I
For special/minority/legal scenarios involving minor passports	Special Case Declaration	Annexure 12

Eligibility Required for Minor Passport

The eligibility criteria and the documents required for issuing a minor passport may differ depending on specific scenarios and background circumstances. Below are some common eligibility situations where kids passport documents and procedures might vary:

Minors aged between 15 and 18 years who want to apply for a passport with 10-year validity. This is subject to certain conditions like police verification and falls under the extended passport age limit category for minors.
Children of parents who are separated but not legally divorced may still apply for a passport. However, specific declarations and supporting documents are required to process the kids passport application.
Minors residing in Jammu and Kashmir or Nagaland may have additional regional documentation requirements based on their domicile.
If the parents are living abroad, the minor’s passport application must include supporting documents like a declaration from the parent residing overseas or legal guardianship papers.
Minors with divorced parents must submit a custody order or consent documents based on their specific family situation.
Children of government employees or those employed by statutory bodies may benefit from relaxed norms in terms of police verification, provided valid employment proof is submitted.
In cases where the parents hold valid passports with the spouse’s name endorsed, the passport can usually be issued without police verification, streamlining the process.
When only one parent is applying and the other is unwilling or unavailable to provide consent, the application must include specific affidavits like Annexure C or G. These situations are common queries when people ask how to get a child passport with one parent absent in India.
If a legal guardian is applying for the minor, the court decree granting guardianship must be submitted along with relevant declarations.
Single parents, including unwed mothers or widowed fathers, can apply for a passport for their child with supporting documents and appropriate affidavits.

Documents Required for Minors to Apply for a Fresh Passport

Minors (under 18 years) need to submit specific documents based on their category or situation. The following documents must be submitted by minors based on their specific eligibility:

Minors aged 15–18 years:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
If eligible for Non-ECR category: Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Authority or authorized agency

Minors from Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Nagaland:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application

Children of Government/PSU/Statutory Body Employees (with police verification):

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application

Children of Government/PSU/Statutory Body Employees (without police verification):

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Annexure A – Original identity certificate
Annexure E – Standard affidavit

Children of parent(s) with a valid passport (with spouse’s name endorsed):

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Attested copy of passport of either or both parents

Children whose parent(s) live abroad:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Annexure C – Additional declaration (when one parent hasn’t given consent or Annexure D isn’t available)

Minors adopted by Indian parents:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Valid adoption deed with the child’s photo attested by the court
For Christians, Muslims, Parsis: A court decree/order for adoption/guardianship and permission to take the child abroad
OR
- Simple declaration confirming adoption

Children adopted by foreign parents:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
No Objection Certificate from CARA
Copy of guarantee executed in court
Court decree/order for legal guardianship

Children of divorced parents:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Certified copy of the court order granting custody to the applying parent

Children of separated parents (not legally divorced):

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure C – Declaration confirming details in the application

Children raised by a single parent (born out of wedlock):

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure C – Declaration confirming details in the application

Children of a single parent (where one parent is deceased):

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Death certificate of the deceased parent

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure C – Declaration confirming details in the application

When a legal guardian applies for the minor’s passport:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Court decree/order appointing legal guardian

Students living away from parents:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Student ID from a government-recognized institution
Bonafide letter from the college on official letterhead

Children born via surrogacy:

Proof of present address
Proof of date of birth
Annexure D – Declaration confirming details in the application
Annexure I – Surrogacy Declaration

Fees & Charges for Minor Passport in India

The applicable fees for a minor’s passport depend on several factors, including the applicant's age, the type of application (fresh issue or reissue), the validity required, and whether the regular or Tatkal scheme is selected.

Fresh Passport Charges for Minors

Applicant's Age	Regular Fee	Tatkal Fee
Less than 15 years	₹1,000	₹2,000

Reissue Passport Charges for Minors

Reason for Reissue	Applicant’s Age	Validity	Normal Fee	Tatkal Fee
Validity expired / due to expire	Less than 18 years	5 years or till age 18 (whichever is earlier)	₹1,000	₹2,000
Delete ECR / Change in particulars	Less than 18 years	5 years or till age 18	₹1,000	₹2,000
Exhaustion of pages (36 pages)	Less than 18 years	5 years or till age 18	₹1,500	₹2,000
Exhaustion of pages (36 pages)	15 to 18 years	10 years	₹1,500	₹2,000
Lost or damaged passport	Less than 18 years	5 years or till age 18	₹1,000	₹2,000
Expired passport (36 pages)	Less than 18 years	5 years or till age 18	₹1,500	₹2,000
Non-expired passport (60 pages)	Less than 18 years	5 years or till age 18	₹3,500	₹2,000

Payment Modes for Minor Passport

To complete your minor passport application, payment must be made after clicking on "View Saved/Submitted Applications" and selecting "Pay and Schedule Appointment" on the Passport Seva Kendra portal. All payments are processed via the SBI Payment Gateway.

For Tatkal applications, the standard passport fee must be paid online. The additional Tatkal fee can be paid in cash at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) upon approval.

Below are the available payment methods and associated charges:

Mode of Payment	Applicable Charges
Credit Cards (VISA or MasterCard)	1.5% of the transaction amount + service tax
Debit Cards (VISA or MasterCard)	1.5% of the transaction amount + service tax
Internet Banking (SBI & Associates)	Free for SBI internet banking users
SBI Bank Challan	Free; cash must be deposited at the nearest SBI branch within 85 days of challan generation (after 3 hours of generation)
SBI Wallet Payment	1.5% of the transaction amount + service tax

Processing Time for Minor Passports in India

The processing time for a minor’s passport in India can vary depending on several factors. Once a passport application is successfully submitted, the parents or legal guardians receive an acknowledgment or confirmation receipt.

Typically, after receiving this receipt, the passport is dispatched to the provided address within 4 to 7 working days. Applicants can track the status of the passport using the Passport Seva Portal's tracking feature, which provides real-time updates on application progress.

How to Renew a Minor’s Passport Online in India?

Renewing a minor’s passport online is a straightforward process. Follow the steps below:

Register on the Passport Seva Portal
Visit the Passport Seva Online Portal and click on “Register Now” to create an account.
Login to Your Account
Use your newly registered credentials to log in.
Select Reissue Option
After logging in, choose the “Re-issue of Passport” option.
Fill Out the Application Form
Enter the required details and submit the form online.
Schedule an Appointment
Navigate to “View Saved/Submitted Applications” and click on “Pay and Schedule Appointment”. Select your preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), or Regional Passport Office (RPO).
Make Payment
You can pay the applicable fees via:
- Debit/Credit Cards (Visa/MasterCard)
- Internet banking (non-SBI banks)
- SBI Challan (if opted for offline payment)
Save the Appointment Details
After payment, save or print the application receipt or keep the SMS with the Appointment Reference Number (ARN) as confirmation.
Visit the PSK/POPSK/RPO
On the day of your appointment, visit the selected center with all the original required documents.

Protecting your Minor Passport

The passport is a valuable document. It is proof of citizenship and identity overseas. It would be best to keep the passport safe and protected by storing it securely. If the minor's passport is lost or stolen, it can be used for criminal purposes or to steal your minor's identity. To keep the passport protected, follow these steps.

Always know where you stored it.
Keep it dry.
Do not let anyone use it.
Never alter it for any purpose.
Keep a photocopy of the minor's passport page.
Note the passport number and expiry date.

If you lose a passport, immediately report it to the Passport Office or Indian Mission and the nearest Police Station. They will guide you through obtaining a replacement or reissue of the passport.

FAQs on Minor Passport in India

Here’s a list of common questions and answers related to passports for minors.

What is the minimum age for passport for minor?

An individual below the age of 18 years is eligible to apply for a minor’s passport.

What is the validity of a minor’s passport?

A minor’s passport is valid for five years or until the applicant turns 18 years old, whichever is earlier.

Can a child’s name be endorsed in a parent's passport?

No. As per current guidelines, every minor must have a separate passport. Endorsement of a child’s name in a parent’s passport is no longer permitted.

Is a passport required for a 1 year old baby?

Yes. Even a one-month-old baby must have an individual passport. Name endorsements in parents’ passports are not allowed.

Does minor passport need police verification?

If either parent has a passport with the spouse's name endorsed, the child’s passport can be issued without police verification.

Is it compulsory for both parents to have a passport to apply for the minor child's passport?

It is ideal if at least one of the parents has a valid passport with their spouse's name so that police verification is not required. However, it is not mandatory.

Is a birth certificate mandatory for minor passport?

Yes, a birth certificate is mandatory for minors as proof of date of birth.

Is an Aadhaar card necessary for a minor passport?

An Aadhaar card is not mandatory but is highly recommended as it serves as a valid document for identity and address proof.

What is proof of address for minor passport?

Acceptable address proofs for minors include Aadhaar card (if issued in the minor’s name), parent’s Aadhaar card (when applying with parent's documents), Voter ID of parent, Utility bills (electricity, water, gas – in parent's name), Rental agreement, Bank statement/passbook (of parent), Passport copy of either parent with current address.

Is Aadhaar card alone enough for a minor passport?

Not entirely. While the Aadhaar card is useful for identity and address verification, it does not replace the requirement for a birth certificate or parental documents, especially for applicants under 18. In most cases, a combination of documents (such as Aadhaar + birth certificate + parent's passport) is needed.

Does the passport application of a minor require the consent of both parents?

Yes, both parents should be present at the PSK while applying for a minor's passport, or one of the parents with both parents' passports should be available. They should submit Annexure D with their signatures.

If only either of the parents is available to give consent, what should be done to apply for a minor's passport?

Annexure D should be submitted by the legal guardian while applying for the minor's passport if both parents are unavailable.
If one of the parents is deceased, the death certificate of the deceased parent should be submitted along with Annexure D.
If the consent of one parent cannot be obtained, Annexure C must be presented along with Annexure D.

Should passport-size photographs of the child be carried for applying for a minor's passport?

Recent passport-size colour photographs of children below four years of age should be carried, and they should meet the requirements mentioned on the Passport Seva Kendra website. For children above four years, the officials will take a photograph at the passport office.

How to apply online for a minor's passport in India?

Visit the Passport Seva Kendra website and register your child. Log in to the account using your credentials. Now you can go to your account and fill out the application for a passport for the minor. After submitting this form, make the payment online.

What are the charges for minor passport?

The passport application fee varies depending on a new application or reissue, the minor's age, the validity required, and the regular or tatkal application. The Passport Seva Kendra website mentions the cost depending on the requirement and prevailing conditions.

Can a 60-page passport booklet be issued to a minor?

No. Minors are only eligible for the standard 36-page passport booklet.

What if one parent refuses to sign the application for a minor’s passport?

In such cases, the applying parent can submit Annexure “G”, providing reasons for the absence of the other parent’s consent. Normally, Annexure “H” is signed by both parents to indicate joint consent.

Can a 16-year-old get a passport with 10-year validity?

Yes. Minors aged 15 to 18 years can apply for a passport valid for 10 years (subject to additional fees and police verification), or a passport valid until they turn 18. For urgent issuance, they may opt for the Tatkaal scheme.

Must both parents have valid passports before applying for their child’s passport?

No. It is not mandatory. However, if at least one parent holds a valid passport with the spouse’s name endorsed, the child’s application is exempt from police verification.

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.