Applying for Passport: All you need to know

What’s included in this article?

• How to apply for a passport
• Passport requirements
• 10 steps for online passport application
• Steps for offline passport application
• What happens at the Passport Seva Kendra during your appointment?
• FAQs:
  1. Why do we need a passport?
  2. What is the fee for a passport in India
  3. Can I apply for a passport online by myself?
  4. Can I make edits to my passport application after submission?

Is this your first time applying for a passport? Are you wondering about the procedure for online passport application and the passport document requirements? Don’t worry — the process of applying for a passport is quite simple. We’ll give you a basic, step-by-step process.

How to apply for a passport

The first step for passport application involves registering on the passport seva website.

There are two methods for passport application you can make use of. You can opt for an online application or download the application form, fill it and upload the generated XML. We have explained the steps in detail in this article.

Which one do you prefer? Whichever method you follow, ensure all details provided are accurate.

Passport requirements

Proof of present address, photographs and proof of date of birth are the mandatory documents required for passport application.

Some of the documents that you as a student can submit as proof of present address include:

• Election Commission Photo ID card
• Parent’s passport copy in case of minors
• Aadhaar card
• Photo passbook of running bank account.

As proof of date of birth, you can submit any of the below:

• Birth certificate
• School leaving, matriculation or school transfer certificate
• Policy bonds issued by LIC
• Aadhaar card
• Voters ID
• PAN card
• Driving license

For a detailed and personalised list of documents to be carried during your appointment, visit the relevant passport seva webpage.

10 steps for online passport application

Step 1: Visit the Indian Government’s official Passport Seva Portal.

Step 2: Register yourself as a new user by providing your name, date of birth and email address and create your own login credentials. It is mandatory for you to provide your e-mail id so that you will be able to receive the registration confirmation e-mail.

Step 3: Using the ‘Existing User Login’ on the Passport Seva Online Portal, log in with your newly created login credentials. (Enter your user ID, password, and the Captcha characters on display and click on ‘Login’.)

Step 4: Next, on the ‘Applicant Home’ page, click on the appropriate service among the listed, i.e. ‘Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.

For the offline form passport application process, skip to the next section in this article.

Step 5:  Click on the ‘Click here to fill the application form online’ option. The online application option requires you to fill up the form and complete the passport application process online.

Step 6: You will be taken to the page to select the ‘Passport type’. You will have the option to apply for a fresh passport or request a re-issue of the passport. You can also decide whether you want a ‘Normal’ application or a fast-tracked ‘Tatkal’ application. Also, pick the number of pages you want on the passport. 36 and 60 are the options available. Pick your options and click ‘Next’.

Step 7: The elaborate form appears on the next page. Your name, date of birth, marital status, educational qualification, employment type, aadhaar number, your family’s details, residential address and emergency contact details and some of the details you need to fill up on the form. Fill in the details and click submit.

Step 8: The next step is to schedule an appointment. Online payment is mandatory for booking appointments at Passport Seva Kendras (PSK).

To schedule the appointment, go to the ‘Applicant Home’ page and click on ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’. On this page, select your application and then proceed to click on the ‘Payment and Appointment’ tab. Click on ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’. Check for the earliest appointment available and to book an appointment on this date, click pay. You can opt for payment through internet banking, credit/debit cards or SBI Bank Challan. Click on the payment mode you would like to use and pay the required fee.

Step 9: Next, you need to ensure you have proof of appointment. After fee payment, you will then be taken to the Appointment Confirmation page; take a printout of these details by clicking on the ‘Print Application Receipt’ link. This is not mandatory; an SMS with your application details will also suffice.

Step 10: Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Regional Passport Office (RPO) on the day of your appointment. It is advisable to go to the PSK an hour or so in advance. You should take your originals and a set of photocopies of the same documents for processing.

An alternate option for passport application

After registering and logging in, on the ‘Applicant Home’ page, click on the appropriate service among the listed, i.e. ‘Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.

Under ‘Alternative 2’ you have the option to download the soft copy of the form. Your name, date of birth, marital status, educational qualification, employment type, aadhaar number, your family’s details, residential address and emergency contact details and some of the details you need to fill up on the form. Fill in the details and click ‘Validate and Save’.

You can come back to the ‘Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of passport’ page to upload your form.

Please note that you cannot take a printout of the form and fill it out.

What happens at the Passport Seva Kendra during your appointment?

• Arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early for your appointment.
• Ensure you have on you, all the originals of necessary documents and self-attested copies.
• Though your photograph will be taken at the PSK, you should carry two recent coloured passport-size (4.5 x 3.5 cm) photographs with a white background.
• In the case of minor applicants, a person from their family will be allowed to accompany them at the PSK.
• Your documents will be checked and you will be given a paper token.
• You will have to go through counters A, B and C in that order. Stay alert and watch the token display screens which will indicate when you need to approach a particular counter.
• Your photograph will be taken and biometrics collected at one of these counters.
• Be prepared to answer all questions you are asked and speak clearly.
• Tatkaal applicants will have to pay the balance service fee at the PSK.
• Once done, collect the acknowledgement slip from the exit counter.

Alongside this process, you must obtain the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). You will be required to fill out the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Application Form online via Online Form Submission or preferably via e-Form Submission.

A police officer will visit you at your mentioned residence to run a background check and might call you on the number that you have provided for verification. So, be ready to answer the door and your phone.

FAQs on passport application

Why do we need a passport?

It is proof of identity and citizenship. To prevent unauthorized and illegal entry to countries, most countries rely on passports to verify who is entering and leaving the country.

What is the fee for a passport in India?

• A 36-page passport of 10 years validity will cost you 1500 rupees. If you opt for the Tatkaal processing of your application, you will have to pay an additional fee of 2000 rupees.
• A 60-page passport of 10 years validity will cost you 2000 rupees. An additional Rs. 2000 is required for tatkal applications.
• A passport for minors with a 5-year validity or till the minor attains the age of 18 (whichever is earlier) will cost 1000 rupees. An additional Rs. 2000 is required for tatkal applications.

Can I apply for a passport online by myself?

Yes, if you have all the right documents available, you can submit your online application yourself.

Can I make edits to my passport application after submission?

You can request for the changes to be made at Counter A or Citizen Service Executive to make the necessary changes during your visit to the Passport Seva Kendra.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in February 2016. Our content writer Roshna Mohan has edited it to include up-to-date information and made it comprehensive.