DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR PASSPORT IN INDIA

A passport is a mandatory document for international travel. In India, applying for a passport is a straightforward process, managed by Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) under the Ministry of External Affairs. A passport not only serves as your travel permit but also acts as an essential identity document. 

 

 

 

 

General Documents Required for Indian Passport Application

When applying for a passport in India, you need to provide the following documents based on your age, type of application, and circumstances:

 

Address Proof:

As proof an address, you can provide the following documents.

• Aadhaar Card or E-Aadhaar

A unique 12-digit identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

• Voter ID Card

Government voter ID issued by the Election Commission of India.

• Electricity/Water/Telephone Bill

Issued by the Respective State Electricity Board / Water Supply Board / Telecom Provider.

• Bank Passbook / Account Statement

A passbook of Nationalized or Private Sector Banks recognized by the RBI, mentioning your address and photo.

• Rent Agreement

Registered with the Sub-Registrar Office under the Indian Registration Act.

• Gas Connection Bill

Gas Agency under Oil Marketing Companies like Indane, Bharat Gas, HP Gas.

• Income Tax Assessment Order

Issued by the Income Tax Department, mentioning the applicant's name and current residential address

 

Proof of Date of Birth (DOB):

• Birth Certificate

Birth certificate issued by Municipal Authority / Registrar of Births & Deaths

• PAN Card

Permanent Account Number issued by the Income Tax Department for financial verification.

• Driving License

The government issued a driving license mentioning the Date of Birth.

• Aadhaar Card

A unique 12-digit identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

• School Leaving Certificate

A Leaving Certificate issued by your school certifying the completion of education, with mention of the Date of Birth.

 

Proof of Identity (any one):

As Proof of Identity in an Indian passport application, you can submit one of the following documents, but make sure the photograph on the document must be clearly visible.

• Voter ID

Government-issued voter ID card with photograph.

• PAN Card

PAN card with a visible photograph on it.

• Aadhaar Card or e-Aadhaar

Aadhaar Card with a visible printed photograph.

• Driving License

A driving license issued by the RTO with a printed and easily recognizable photograph.

• Government-issued ID Card

Government ID, which should include an official photo and designation.

 

Annexures (if applicable):

• Annexure ‘E’ (Affidavit for verification of particulars)
• Annexure ‘F’ (for government employees – No Objection Certificate)
• Annexure ‘H’ (Declaration for minors)

 

Photographs (for offline application)

Two Recent passport-size photographs

 

Documents Required for Indian Passport Renewal

Specific documents are required to be submitted, accompanied by the password renewal form. Here is the list of documents required for Indian passport renewal

• Old Passport

Expired or expiring old passport with valid pages.

• Photocopies of Old Passport

Self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages of the old passport.

• ECR and Non-ECR Page of Passport

Copy of the ECR and Non-ECR page and observation pages if there are any.

• Date of Birth Proof

As a date of birth proof, you can submit any of the documents like birth certificate, aadhaar, PAN, or school leaving certificate.

• Address Proof

As an address proof you can submit any of the bank passbook/statement, rent agreement, voter ID, aadhaar card, or utility bill.

• Passport Size Photograph

Two recent clear visible photos.

• Additional Documents

If applicable, you may need to submit any of the following documents.

• Name change affidavit
• Marriage certificate or divorce decree
• FIR/police report (in case of lost/damaged passport)

 

Documents Required During an Indian Passport Appointment

Let’s confirm that issuing a passport from the PSK has a particular process. The interview is one of the cornerstones of it. So, when attending a passport interview at PSK in India, you must carry the following passport interview documents for verification -

• Printed receipt for appointment confirmation
• The application reference number or a copy of the filled online application.
• Aadhar card, voter ID, or PAN card, as an identity proof.
• Aadhar card, electricity/water bills older than 3 months, rent agreement, and bank passbook as address proof.
• Birth certificate, school leaving certificate as evidence for DOB.
• Marriage certificate, if applicable. 

 

Documents Required for a New Passport for Minors in India

In India, a person under 18 years of age is called a minor. And they need to issue a separate passport to travel to foreign countries. A minor's passport keeps its validity for 5 years until the minor turns 18. General documents necessary to submit while issuing a new passport for minors are as given below-

• Minor’s Birth certificate
• Parents’ citizenship proof
• Address proof
• Minor’s recent passport-size photograph
• Annexure D for parents/guardians and Annexure C for minors between 15 to 18 years of age.
• Statement on plain paper to confirm adoption if a minor is adopted.
•  Minor’s school documents.

 

Documents Required for Passport Renewal Under Tatkal

Passports can be issued in two types, either regular or tatkal. To issue tatkal passports from the Indian Government, some extra documents need to be submitted and pay higher fees than regular passports. The Passport Authority of India has made the following documents obligatory for the application of a Tatkal Passport-

• Aadhar Card
• School Leaving Certificate
• PAN card
• Police Verification Certificate (PVC)
• Utility Bill
• 2 Passport-size Photographs
• For minors, Annexure E (if a single parent has given their approval)
• For minors, Annexure H (if both parents have submitted their consent)

 

Documents Required to Re-issue a Passport

• Original Old Passport

Original old passport with photocopy of its first and last two pages, including ECR/Non-ECR page, and page of observation if there is any.

• Proof of Address

While reissuing a passport, you can submit any of the following documents as proof of address.

• Aadhar Card or E-Aadhar
• Voter ID Card-
• Electricity/Water/Telephone Bill
• Bank Passbook with photo and address
• Rent Agreement
• Gas Connection Bill
• Income Tax Assessment Order

 

• Passport Size Photographs

Two recent passport-sized coloured clear visible photographs.

 

Documents Required for Official/Diplomatic Passport

Here are the documents listed below, necessary to issue official/diplomatic passports.

• Application form issued by the Government of India for an Official/Diplomatic Passport
• A formal letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the applicant's status and travel purpose.
• An authorization letter from the related government agency to issue an official passport.
• Valid driving license and birth certificate as proof of identity and citizenship.
• An appointment letter or a Government service certificate showing the applicant’s official role and designation.

 

How to Apply for a Passport in India?

Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a passport in India online.

• Step 1: Input the https://www.passportindia.gov.in URL in your browser’s address bar. It’s an official Passport Seva Portal.
• Step 2: Press the link “Register Now” to create your account.
• Step 3: Login with your credentials and fill the application form.
• Step 4: Fix on the option “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport”.
• Step 5: Select the proper type of passport. Provide appropriate details while filling the form.
• Step 6: Scan and upload the required documents.
• Step 7: Perform payment as the application fee with the help of debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
• Step 8: Schedule an appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra.
• Step 9: Take a print of your application form and carry it with you.

Once you visit the PSK, your application will be sent for police verification at your local police station. You may need to present in person for the verification.

 

Proof and Verification Process for Passport

The proof and verification process for passports makes certain that the applicant’s identity, citizenship, and eligibility are completely verified. For this, address proof, age proof, and identity proofs are required in the form of PAN card, Aadhar Card, and utility bills. Let’s understand the verification process-

• Submission of the application to issue a passport online/offline, along with the needed documents.
• Passport officers check the authenticity of submitted documents against a government database.
• A police or government background check to confirm your identity, verify your criminal record. In some countries, police may visit the applicant’s residence for verification.
• Applicants are required to provide biometric data, like fingerprints and photographs, to prevent identity fraud.
• Police officers clarify the details and submit the report of verification to the passport office. 

Once the verification process is complete, your passport will enable seamless travel, including to visa-free countries for Indian passport holders.

  

Reasons Why You Might Need to Reissue a Passport

• The following are some key reasons to reissue your passport.
• Shift to another house, change in the address of the passport holder
• Damage to pages in the passport booklet
• Validity expired
• Short Validity Passport renewal
• Passport lost or stolen
• The passport gets damaged
• Personal name change after marriage

 

Indian Passport Application -FAQs

Is it Necessary to Submit my Old Passport When Applying for a Passport Reissue?

Yes, your old passport is valid to apply for a reissue.

Is the 10th Marksheet Compulsory for Passport Application?

No, it is not compulsory for passport applications. Instead, you can submit any other document showing your DOB.

Does a 2-Month-Old Baby Require a Separate Passport?

Yes, a child’s name cannot be added to the parent's passport. That is why a child’s separate passport has to get issued.

How to Change Name in Passport If I Recently Got Married or Divorced?

For this, you are required to apply for re-issuing your passport with the current name from the Passport Sewa Kendra.

What Should I Do If the Required Documents for a Passport Are Not Available?

You can use alternative documents. But, for this, you are recommended to contact the local passport issuing authority. They can guide you in this context.  

My Passport Expired 5 Years Ago, How to Reissue?

You don't need to reissue your passport if it expired 5 years ago. Instead, you can apply for the new one.

Which Documents Can Be Considered as Proof of Identity for Passport Application?

Driving License, PAN Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Birth Certificate.

Which Documents Can be Used as Proof of Birth in Passport Application?

School Leaving certificate, Birth Certificate, PAN Card, Driving license.

Is E-Aadhar Card Valid for Passport Application?

Yes, digitally signed e-Aadhar cards can be considered as a valid proof of identity for passport application.

Can a Passbook or Bank Statement Be Used as Address Proof?

Yes, a passbook or bank statement can serve as evidence of an address.