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.

 

 

Passports in India are categorized into three types:

• Ordinary Passport: For general purposes such as tourism, business, or studies.
• Official Passport: Issued to government officials for official duties.
• Diplomatic Passport: Granted to high-ranking government officials and diplomats.

Let’s dive into the details of documents needed, the application process, and tips to ensure a smooth experience.

 

General Documents Required for Passport in India

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

• Aadhaar Card: A unique 12-digit identification number.
• PAN Card: Issued by the Income Tax Department for financial verification.
• Driving License: As proof of identity.
• Utility Bills: Water or electricity bills as address proof.
• Birth Certificate or School Leaving Certificate: To confirm your date of birth.
• Marriage Certificate: If applicable.
• Recent Passport-size Photograph: Size 2x2 inches, with a white background.

These documents also play a crucial role in obtaining Travel insurance for your international trips.

 

How to Apply for Passport in India?

Here is a step by step guide to apply for 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, utility bills. Let’s understand the verification process-

• Submission of application to issue 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 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.

 

Mandatory Vs Optional Documents

Both the mandatory documents and optional as well are required to issue passports in India. All these docs are used to verify the applicant’s identity, citizenship, and address.

Mandatory Documents	Optional Documents
Aadhar Card, Voter Card, PAN card for identity proof	Annexure “D” , birth certificate for minors
Electricity/Water bill, Rental Agreement	Marriage Certificate, Gazette notification for name change.
Birth Certificate, School Leaving certificate, Aadhar Card as a DOB proof.	No Objection Certificate (NOC) for government employees.
Passport size photographs	Annexure F, additional identity proof in the form of PAN or Voter card for tatkal applications.
Marriage Certificate required if there is a change in name of the applicant.	Adoption deed for adopted children passport if applicable.

 

Documents required for Passport Renewal

Specific documents are required to submit accompanied by the password renewal form. A document advisor from the PSK can guide you in this context. Common documents required for passport renewal are as listed below-

• Original expired/expiring passport with valid pages
• Self-attested photocopies of first and last two pages, including ECR (Emigration Check Required)/Non ECR page and observation page if any.
• Proof of address like voter ID, rent agreement, aadhar card
• Proof of Identity such as PAN card, driving license, aadhar card. 
• Additional documents in case of name change (Marriage Certificate), address change (new address mentioned proof), and an affidavit stating for how the damage in passport occurs.

 

Passport Interview Documents

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 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, PAN card, as an identity proof.
• Aadhar card, electricity/water bills older than 3 months, rent agreement, bank passbook as an address proof.
• Birth certificate, school leaving certificate as evidence for DOB.
• Marriage certificate if applicable. 

 

Documents Required for New Passport for Minors

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 new passport for minors are as given below-

• Minor’s Birth certificate
• Parent’s 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.

During the passport application process, it is mandatory to present minor’s parents or legal guardians in person. Their consent is needed to issue the passport. If one of the parents won’t be able to report their presence, then they are asked to submit an affidavit accompanied by the application.

Additionally, it is recommended to bring parent’s original passports during the application process.

 

Documents Required for Passport Renewal under Tatkal

Passports can be issued with two types, either regular or tatkal. To issue tatkal passports from the Indian Government, some extra documents one needs to submit and pay higher fees than regular passports. Passport authority of India has made the following documents obligatory to renew your passport under tatkal-

• Landline or Mobile bill
• Aadhar Card
• School Leaving certificate
• PAN card
• Police Verification Certificate
• 2 passport size photographs
• For minors, Annexure E (if single parent has given their approval)
• For minors, Annexure H (if both the parents have submitted their consent)

 

Reasons Why You Might Require to Reissue Passport

Following are some key reasons to reissue your passport.

Shift to another house, change in address of the passport holder

Damage of pages on passport booklet

Validity expired

Short Validity Passport renewal

Passport lost or stolen

Passport get damaged

Personal name change after marriage

 

Documents Required to Re-issue Passport

• Original Old passport joined by the self-attested copy of the first and last 2 pages, ECR/Non-ECR page and observation page.
• An affidavit (Annexure F) in case of stolen passport along with the original police report.
• Aadhar card, Electricity bill, Rent Agreement, for address proof.
• School leaving certificate, birth certificate, PAN card, Aadhar card as a proof of birth.
• 2 recent passport size photographs with white background.

 

Documents Required for Official/Diplomatic Passport

The people who are sent for diplomatic assignments to foreign countries are recommended to issue official or diplomatic passports. Here are the documents listed below, necessary to issue official/diplomatic passports.

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

 

Indian Passport Application -FAQs

1. 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.

2. Is 10th Marksheet Compulsory for Passport Application?

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

3. Does 2 Month Baby Required 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.  

6. 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.

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

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

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

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

9. Is Digital Aadhar Card Valid for Passport Application?

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

10. Can a passbook or bank statement be used as address proof?

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