Today, with the increasing global connectivity and the rising opportunities for growth, travel and relocation, having a valid passport has become a necessity to unlock a whole new world of possibilities.
The Indian passport is an official identification document issued by the Ministry of External Affairs via Passport Offices and Passport Seva Kendras around the country. After completing the formalities for a passport in India, it permits you to travel internationally for leisure, business and education purposes without any hassle.
To apply for a passport online in India, you must also be aware of the different types of passport applications and the required documents for an Indian passport.
This guide will discuss the essential details regarding the different types of documents required for an Indian passport, based on the application type and request, to help you complete the formalities for a passport in India on time.
Types of Passport Applications for Indian Passport in 2024
To know the specific list of documents required for applying for an Indian passport, you must check for the different passport application types available in the country. Factors like age and passport type help decide which application to choose.
Let us discuss the types of passport applications for Indian passports below.
|
Passport Application Type |
Applicable For |
Application for a fresh ordinary passport | 18 years and above |
Application for ordinary passport renewal | 18 years and above |
Application for re-issue of ordinary passport | 18 years and above |
Application for fresh minor passport | 17 years and below |
Application for minor passport renewal | 18 years and below |
Application for Tatkal passport | All Indian citizens |
Application for official/diplomatic passports | Individuals in official government positions |
Documents Required for a New Indian Passport: Ordinary
As one of the most widely used passports in India, new passport applications for ordinary passports follow a simple process. However, you must ensure you have all the necessary documents required for a new Indian passport ready to go. The list includes the following -
Application Form
The first essential document for every passport application is an application form. You can complete it online using the Passport Seva Online Portal or offline by visiting the nearest Passport Office/Sewa Kendra. This step is crucial as it allows you to make an appointment to submit the required documents for an Indian passport against your application.
Proof of Birth
As an applicant, you must also submit valid proof of date of birth to confirm your age for application processing. This is necessary as in India, the passport applications for major and minor applicants are different. You can submit a copy of any one of the following documents for this -
- PAN card
- Driving Licence
- Aadhaar card
- Birth certificate
- Voter ID
- Declaration letter from the Child Care Home/Orphanage (for orphans)
- Life insurance documents
Proof of Address
Another mandatory document for a new Indian passport application is address proof. In case of relocation or transfers, all applicants must submit proof of their current residence address only, regardless of their original home address. However, in case of multiple address changes in one year, details of all the previous ones have to be mentioned in the application form.
You can submit a copy of any one of the following documents for this
- Utility bills (water, electricity, gas)
- Telephone bill
- Voter ID
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- Rent Agreement
- Bank Passbooks from pre-approved bank list by the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs
Proof of Identity
A clear copy of a valid identity proof is also required to process your new passport application in India. You can submit any of the following documents for the same.
- Voter ID
- Aadhaar card
- Driving licence (if the date of birth is clearly mentioned)
- PAN card
- Credit card with your photograph
- Government ID card
Clear Photograph
You must also submit 2 clear photographs of yourself with the other documents required for applying for an Indian passport. Here are the specifications you need to remember.
- The photograph must be 2 inches x 2 inches or 51 mm x 51 mm in size.
- It should be a high-quality coloured photograph.
- It should cover your entire face with clear visibility of all facial features.
- The background should be white.
- There should be no additional accessories on your head or face.
- The print quality must be top-notch, so use stock or thin photo paper.
Additional Documents
The documents mentioned above are standard requirements for a new passport application in India. However, in some instances, additional documents can be requested based on the applicant’s details to support the application form. These include -
- Proof of Education (degrees, certificates, diplomas)
- Bank Details (bank account statements, salary slips, passbooks)
Documents Required for Indian Passport Renewal: Ordinary
The process for renewing your existing passport is very straightforward and requires minimal documentation submission. Here is all you need.
Application Form
Similar to a new passport application, even renewal applications require a duly signed application form to begin the process. You can choose to do it online or visit the nearest Passport Office or Sewa Kendra to submit it in person.
Current/Old Passport
To proceed with the passport renewal application process, you must submit your existing passport and old passports if you have any.
Passport-Related Self-Attested Pages
- Self-attested copies of the first and last two pages of your current passport.
- Self-attested copy of an ECR/Non-ECR (Emigration Check Required) page of your passport.
- Self-attested copy of the passport validity extension page, specifically for short validity passports.
- Self-attested copy of any observation page by the Passport Issuing Authority.
Documents Required for Indian Passport: Ordinary Re-Issuance/ Duplicate
Other than new passports and passport renewals, you can also get a new passport issued in the following scenarios -
i. Your passport booklet is over.
ii. Your passport validity is close to the expiry date.
iii. You need to renew your short validity passport.
iv. You need to change your address on the passport.
v. Your passport is stolen or damaged.
vi. Minor to major transition for the passport.
vii. Other amendments to the information available on the passport (name, date of birth, etc.)
In such cases, you need to submit a fresh application for passport re-issuance with the required changes in case information updates. Here are the necessary documents required for Indian passport renewal.
Application Form
Submit the application form online or offline as per preference to book an appointment at the nearest Passport Office or Passport Sewa Kendra.
Current/Old Passport
You need to submit your old passport (except in the case of theft) with the application. In addition, you must submit copies of the first and last two pages of your current passport, including the ECR/Non-ECR page and the validity extension page, if applicable.
Proof of Birth
You can submit a copy of any one of the following documents for this-
- PAN card
- Driving Licence
- Aadhaar card
- Birth certificate
- Voter ID
- Declaration letter from the Child Care Home/Orphanage (for orphans)
- Life insurance documents
Proof of Address
You must submit a copy of any one of the following documents.
- Utility bills (water, electricity, gas)
- Telephone bill
- Voter ID
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- Rent Agreement
Photographs
Here are the specifications for the 2 clear photographs that are mandatory for a re-issuance passport application.
- Size - 2 X 2 Inches
- Background - Clear white background
- Validity - Not older than 6 months
- Colour - HD Quality
Additional Documents
Depending on the changes you wish to make to your new passport, you might be required to submit additional or updated documents. These can include documents for address and identity proof to confirm the authenticity of the required changes. An FIR report for a stolen passport is also necessary.
Documents Required for a Minor Passport in India: New Passport
For children below the age of 17 years, a separate application for a minor passport has to be submitted with the mandatory documents required for a minor passport in India. This application can either be submitted by the child or by their parents or local guardian.
Standard Documents
- Application form
- Proof of birth (birth certificate of the minor)
- Address proof (Aadhaar card)
- Proof of parents’ citizenship
- 1 recent passport-size photograph of the minor
Case-Specific Additional Documents
Other than the standard documents mentioned above, there might be additional requirements based on specific conditions for the minor passport. The list of specifications includes -
Documents Required for a Minor Passport in India: Renewal
For amendments to a minor’s passport or to get it renewed for longer validity, there is a minor passport renewal application process you can avail of by submitting the documents listed below.
Application Form
To begin the application process, the minor child, parent, or local guardian must duly complete and sign the application form.
Old Passport
You must submit the old passport of the minor child. It is also recommended that the child's parents carry their original passports to the appointment to be on the safe side in case they need to. In addition, depending on the minor's age, self-attested or parent-attested copies of the first and last two pages of the current passport must be submitted.
Proof of Address
- Utility bills (water, electricity, gas)
- Telephone bill
- Voter ID
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- Rent Agreement
Other Documents
- Original birth certificate of the minor
- Adoption documents, if applicable
- Court order documents granting guardianship, if applicable
- Proof of parents' nationality
Documents Required for Indian Passport: Tatkal
A Tatkal application process is a fast-track procedure to get your passport requirements completed within 1-3 days. It attracts an additional fee of ₹2,000 for all application categories.
Tatkal applications are not accepted for a list of categories, and it includes -
- Name changes
- People of Jammu and Kashmir
- People of Nagaland
- Applicants with criminal court cases, etc.
Here is the list of documents you must submit for a Tatkal application.
Proof of Address
- Utility bills (water, electricity, gas)
- Telephone bill
- Voter ID
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- Rent Agreement
Proof of Birth
You can submit a copy of any one of the following documents for this-
- PAN card
- Driving Licence
- Aadhaar card
- Birth certificate
- Voter ID
- Declaration letter from the Child Care Home/Orphanage (for orphans)
- Life insurance documents
Additional Documents
Other than the documents mentioned above, for a Tatkal passport application, you must submit any three of the following documents with your application.
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- Student ID card
- Pension documents
- Birth certificate
- Voter ID
- Driving licence
- Bank passbook
- Government-issued Service IDs with photograph
- Last passport
Documents Required for Indian Passport: Official/Diplomatic
In addition to the ordinary passports available for all Indian citizens, a specific category of passports is limited to government officials or people working for Indian diplomatic missions abroad.
Only Indian government officials and officers appointed by the Ministry of External Affairs are eligible to apply for this specific category, and the highest Indian government authorities verify approval for it.
Here is a list of documents required for an official/diplomatic passport in India.
- A printed copy of the online application form
- The official ID card of the applicant.
- An official
request letter from the Forwarding Officer.
- A
certificate from the Head of Office.
- A PMO/Political Clearance Certificate, if required.
Additional Documents
- In case of re-issuance of an existing official or diplomatic passport, you must submit your existing passport as proof.
- If the Ministry of External Affairs cancels an existing official or diplomatic passport, you must submit the original certificate of cancellation as proof.
- If you want to change your ordinary passport to an official or diplomatic passport, you need to submit a certificate of safe custody to proceed.
Importance of Travel Insurance with Passport
A passport is a necessary identity proof that permits easy commutes between countries for various purposes to unlock numerous possibilities. However, unexpected events during international travel can often disrupt the best-laid travel itineraries.
Imagine struggling to resolve a query about a
lost passport in a foreign country or witnessing a sudden medical illness that results in a trip cancellation. These situations can attract significant out-of-pocket expenses and mental stress.
With
international travel insurance, you can safeguard your finances from sudden emergencies. It provides ample financial security to ensure maximum peace of mind during international travels.
Reliance General Insurance offers extensive travel insurance plans to provide maximum financial protection during emergencies and unforeseen circumstances. Coverage under these plans includes passport protection, flight delays or cancellations, medical emergencies, third-party liabilities, and more.
Conclusion
With a clear knowledge of the different formalities for a passport in India, you can easily collate the documents required for an Indian passport for different applications. Remember to cross-check with the Passport Seva Kendras or Offices in your area to stay up-to-date.
Moreover, ensure timely passport application for an Indian passport renewal and re-issuance to avoid last-minute trip cancellations due to invalid passports or missing documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to apply for a new passport online?
To apply for a new passport online, follow these steps.
- Visit the
Passport Seva Online Portal.
- Click on “New User Registration” on the home screen.
- After registering, select “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-Issue of Passport” to proceed.
- Enter all the required details on the form provided and submit.
- Once done, click on the “Pay and Schedule Appointment” option.
- Select the “View Saved/Submitted Applications” option to schedule the appointment for document submission.
2. How long does a standard ordinary passport application take?
It takes about 1 to 3 weeks for a new ordinary passport application to be processed.
3. What is the fee for a standard new passport application for a minor in Tatkal?
The fee for a new passport application for a minor under Tatkal is ₹3,000. The division is ₹1,000 for the application and ₹2000 for the Tatkal fee.