Your passport is your gateway to the world. Without one, travelling abroad is not possible, whether it is for leisure, business, or studies. Passports have to be renewed to maintain their validity. Passport renewal must be done so that you possess a valid passport, and hence; can travel freely. Passports also work as a means of identification, along with your driving licence, voter ID, Aadhaar card, Pan card, etc. Here's how the passport renewal process in India, known as Passport Renewal India, works for both offline and online passport renewals.

The Indian Passport Renewal Process

Standard passports in India are valid for 10 years. The Indian passport renewal procedure is very straightforward. It can be done through two routes: online passport renewal and offline passport renewal. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown for each route.

Steps to Passport Renewal Offline in India

If you want to renew your passport offline in India, here’s how you should go about it: 

Step 1: Download the application form from the homepage of the Passport Seva website, by choosing the "Print Application Form" option under the "Forms and Affidavits" tab.

Step 2: Print the form back-to-back on an A4 sheet.

Step 3: This form is also available for Rs. 10 at the District Passport Cell

Step 4: Fill out the form and submit it at the District Passport Cell along with photocopies of supporting documents 

Step 5: After verification of the application, photos, and documents, use a Demand Draft to pay the fees

Step 6: An "Acknowledgement Letter" will be issued that contains the file number, and this number can be used to track the status of the application online

Things to remember: Keep your original documents with you when you go to submit your form. Don’t sign your name on your photograph. Your name, date of birth and date of submission of the form should be written behind the Demand Draft.

Steps to Passport Renewal Online in India

The process is fairly simple, and the online portion can be completed fairly quickly. Just ensure that you double-check all the details before you submit your form and keep a checklist of all the necessary documents. 

Here are the steps for the online passport renewal through the Passport Seva site.

Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Register if you are a new user using the "New User Registration" tab, or login via the "Existing User Login" if you already possess an account.

Step 3: For new users, begin by filling out the "User Registration" form. Choose "Passport Office" for the "Register To Apply At" option, then pick the "Passport Office" as per your residential address.

Step 4: Fill out other details, including your given name, date of birth, email address, etc.

Step 5: Create a login ID and password.

Step 6: Click on "Register".

Step 7: An email with an activation link will be sent to your registered email address. Click on the link to activate your account.

How to complete a passport renewal application form?

Here’s how to fill out and submit your online application for online passport renewal.

Step 1: Log in to the Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Choose the "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport" option.

Step 3: Fill out the form with information such as your address and local contact information for police verification.

Step 4: Check all the details and click "Validate".

Step 5: Submit the form.

How to fill an e-form for passport renewal?

Here’s how to download and fill out the passport renewal application through an e-form from the Passport Seva renewal portal.

Step 1: Log in to the Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Download the e-Form for the "Fresh or Re-issue of passport" option.

Step 3: Fill in the relevant details on the downloaded e-Form.

Step 4: Hit the "Validate and Save" button.

Step 5: Upload the file to the site.

How to schedule a passport renewal appointment

Here’s how to fix an online appointment for passport renewal:

Step 1: Log in to the Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Choose "View Saved and Submitted Application" and then "Pay and Schedule Appointment" options.

Step 3: Select a convenient slot.

Step 4: Pay the fees by choosing a mode of payment such as a credit/debit card from either Visa/MasterCard, net banking with SBI or any other associated bank, or SBI Challan.

Step 5: Choose the "Print Application Receipt" option. An appointment number/application reference number will be given to you here for your passport renewal appointment.

After this process, you will have to visit the Passport Seva Kendra at the time you selected. Take the originals of your supporting documents and their photocopies. Your group number will be given in your receipt. Once this number comes up, you will be asked to submit your documents and complete the other formalities. 

What are the documents required for passport renewal

Here’s a list of passport renewal documents required while submitting the application:

• Your original passport.

• Photocopy of the first two and last two pages of the passport, which has been self-attested. 

• Photocopy of the ECR (Emigration Check Required)/Non-ECR Page, which has been self-attested. 

• Photocopy of the page of observation made by the Passport Issuing Authority, which has been self-attested. 

• Photocopy of the validity extension page with respect to the short validity passport, which has been self-attested.

• Proof of your present address in case it doesn’t match the one given in your old passport

• For children who are below the age of 4, carry a recent passport-size photo with a white background

How much is the passport renewal fee?

The passport renewal fee differs based on factors such as the age of the applicant, the number of passport booklet pages you choose, and the scheme, which denotes normal or tatkal. Here’s a breakdown of the Indian passport renewal fees structure:

How long is the passport renewal processing time?

The time taken for passport renewal depends on the scheme you have chosen. For the normal scheme, the wait time is anywhere between 30 and 60 days. The tatkaal scheme is quicker. The passport renewal time under the tatkaal scheme is 3–7 days.

How to check passport renewal status?

How to check passport renewal status?

Here’s how to track passport renewal status:

​​Step 1: Log in to the Passport Seva site.

Step 2: Choose the "Track Application Status" option on the homepage.

Step 3: Choose the right application type (Passport/PCC/IC/GEP), enter your file number, and date of birth.

Step 4: Choose the "Track Status" option to check the status of passport renewal.

What is the difference between the renewal and re-issue of passport?

The passport renewal process in India differs from the re-issue process undertaken for passports. When you apply for passport renewal, it essentially means that you have a passport that is valid for 1 to 5 years, and with the renewal, its validity can be extended to 10 years depending on the authorities. 

The re-issue of a passport takes place under the following circumstances:

• Your passport has expired or is about to expire

• You have lost your passport

• Your passport was stolen

• You want to change your personal details in the passport

• You have run out of pages in the passport booklet

• Your passport was either soiled or damaged

Frequently asked questions

Here are some answer related to most asked questions related to passport renewal process.

How long is a passport valid for?

A passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issuance in India. It should be renewed before the expiry date or as soon a possible to keep it active.

Can a passport be renewed after it expires?

After a passport has expired, it will have to be re-issued. To avoid this scenario, it is better to apply for renewal up to one year before the expiration of your passport.

What is the time limit for the renewal of a passport after it expires?

There is no time limit as such, but if your passport has been expired for more than three years, a new police verification process will have to be initiated.

Do I need to submit my old passport for the passport renewal process in India?

Yes, you will have to submit your old passport when you apply for the passport renewal process, along with photocopies of self-attested supporting documents.

When should I renew my passport?

You can renew your passport up to one year before it expires. You can’t apply for renewal before this time period.

How can I check my passport status by name?

After you have submitted your documents during your Indian passport renewal appointment, a file number for your passport will be issued. You can use this file number along with your date of birth to track passport renewal status.

Is there a need for a passport agent for renewal?

You can opt to carry out the passport renewal process on your own. To begin this process, go to the Passport Seva website or the District Passport Cell to get the application form. You will be asked to submit your old passport along with self-attested photocopies of a few supporting documents. Remember to carry all the originals of your supporting documents. If you feel this is a very complicated process, you can always seek the help of a passport agent, who will be able to guide you through the passport renewal process for a fee.

For how many years is the passport valid after renewal?

A standard-issue passport in India is valid for 10 years. If you have applied for the renewal of a Short Validity Passport, which is valid for 1–5 years, the validity of your renewed passport will be decided by the authorities.

Where can I apply for passport renewal?

There are two ways to apply for Indian passport renewal in India. You can apply for passport renewal either online through the Passport Seva website or you can head to the District Passport Cell. After filling out the passport renewal application form, you will have to pay and schedule an appointment through the online route. Submit the passport renewal documents, and you will be issued a file number, which you can use to track your application status.

What happens if I miss my passport renewal appointment?

You will have to start the passport renewal process again, either through the Passport Seva site or by visiting the District Passport Cell.

Can my application form and documents be submitted by someone else during the appointment?

Your physical presence is required at the Passport Seva Kendra in order to process your passport renewal application form. Hence, you can’t send your documents through someone else when applying for passport renewal.

Is police verification required for passport renewal?

If the passport renewal application is submitted before or within three years of expiration, police verification is not required.

How long after expiry can a passport be renewed?

Renewal is possible for three years after expiration. Your passport will not be renewed after this date; you will need to apply for a new one.

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Disclaimer: The above content is sourced from secondary sources on the internet and is meant for informational purposes only. It is subject to changes. It is recommended to take the help of an expert before making any related decision.

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