This is the expedited service, allowing you to obtain your passport in a shorter time. It costs twice as much as the standard passport service but is a good option for people who require their passport in a hurry.
Children are no longer allowed to travel on their parent’s passport. Every child – however young – will require their own passport to leave the country. It costs less to apply for a child passport than for an adult passport, and either parent can apply on behalf of their child.
Nearly all private citizens will apply for an ordinary passport. The other two types of passports are for government workers who are being send overseas on official business only.
You can qualify for Indian citizenship by being born in the country, being born elsewhere but with at least one Indian parent, or by being granted citizenship through a naturalization process. If none of these categories apply you will not be classed as an Indian citizen, and will not be entitled to an Indian passport.
Passports are important legal documents and if you lose your passport or suspect it might have been stolen, this has to be reported to the Police. You can then apply to have your passport reissued through your nearest passport centre.
PSK – Passport Service Kendra – is the passport office where you can get information about your passport and apply for either a new passport or renewal of an existing passport. There are dozens of different PSK offices across India.
If you’ve changed your name because you’ve got married, or other details on your passport are incorrect, then you can apply to have these corrected. This will come with the same fee as applying for a renewal of your passport for any other reason.
If you have lost your passport while overseas, or have moved overseas permanently but want to renew an Indian passport, then Indian Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions across the globe can perform the same services as the passport offices in India.
Indian passports have two languages on them, English and Hindi. There is no option to choose to have passports issued in other languages.
When you complete your application online, you’ll need to attach copies of your documents to the submission. At your PSK appointment, you’ll be asked to show the originals of the documents to the advisor.
The cost for your passport will depend on your age and whether you’ve chosen the express (tatkal) service. A standard new passport for an adult will cost 1500 rupees, and 1000 rupees for a child. If you require an extra-large passport with additional pages, that will cost more. A full list of fees is available on the government passport website. Remember that these fees are likely to rise over time.
No, online payment is required before you attend your appointment at a PSK office. You can do this by using any one of a number of bank cards. If you’re applying for the express service, the additional fee for tatkal should be paid in cash on the day of your appointment.
A Police clearance certificate is issued to some Indians who are applying for a passport because they wish to emigrate or work overseas long term. People who are applying for a passport to go on holiday or other short term trips will not need a PCC.
There are various options for getting help with your passport application. Use the FAQ section on the official government website or call the national number for the passport call centre where you can ask any other questions. Alternatively, visit the helpdesk at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra – you don’t have to make an appointment for this.
No, the PSK core hours are between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. They are not open at the weekend, even for urgent issues. Make an appointment online for a time which is most convenient for you.
You have to attend in person for your passport interview, even if you are ill or if it is very inconvenient for you to do so. You are allowed to bring someone with you for your passport interview if you find it difficult to travel.
It’s wise to book your appointment for as soon as you can after filling in your application online. You have up to a year to make and attend an appointment for your passport, but as the system allows you to select the appointment time which is most suitable, try not to let things slip too long.
You can go to any PSK office to get your passport issued. Most people choose the one nearest home, but you might prefer to go to one nearer work or your place of study.
If you were born after 26th January 1989 you won’t be asked for your birth certificate when applying for your passport, but you will need other types of identity documents.