Apply for a passport online in India
Apply for a passport is a crucial travel document required by individuals traveling overseas for various purposes such as education, tourism, pilgrimage, medical care, business endeavors, and family visits. In recent years, the expanding economy and pervasive globalization have resulted in a surge in demand for passports and associated services.
How to apply for a passport online in India
Here are different steps to apply online for a passport in India.
1. Log in to the Passport Seva portal:
First of all, you need to log in to your Passport Seva website account.
Step 1: Please visit the Passport Seva Platform website and select either “New User Registration” or “Existing User Login,” depending on your registration status.
Step 2: As a new user, you can follow the registration process. (Existing users can move to the next step.)
Step 3: Use your credentials (password and login ID) and complete captcha verification to log in.
2. Select a type of passport application:
Once you are logged in, select among the following options for the passport application process.
- Fresh passport or Reissue of passport
- Official passport or diplomatic passport
- Most of us need to choose a Fresh Passport/Revised Passport.
3. Fill out your online application:
Below are the steps you need to follow for the passport application process online.
Step 1: Select the specific type of passport application you wish to apply for.
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Step 2: Fill in the requested details accurately.
Step 3: Check all details carefully and hit the “Submit” button.
4. Pay the fees and schedule an appointment
Upon submitting your online application, you can proceed to pay the required fees and schedule an appointment using the following steps.
Step 1: Return to the homepage and choose the option labeled “View Saved/Submitted Applications.”
Step 2: Next, select the “Pay and Schedule Appointment” option from the choices displayed on your screen.
Step 3: Choose the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) location and schedule your appointment accordingly.
Step 4: Make the required payment for the process using your preferred online payment method.
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Step 5: Either print out the application receipt or refer to the SMS sent to your mobile phone, which contains your Application Reference Number (ARN).
Finally, attend the selected PSK at the designated date and time of your appointment, ensuring you bring all original documents required for verification.
Documents required for online passport application
For a new passport application, an applicant is required to submit the documents listed below, either through the online portal or via offline submission.
- Proof of address (Such as an Aadhaar card, utility bill, rent agreement, etc.)
- Proof of age (Such as an Aadhaar card, Birth Certificate, PAN card, Voter ID, etc.)
- Non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) documentary proof (if applicable)
Fees charged for passport application
Here is a list of fees levied for different passport-related services.
| Types of service | Fee (in Rs.) | Additional fee for Tatkal service (in Rs.) |
| Fresh passport (containing 36 pages) with 10 years of validity | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Re-issuance of passport (containing 36 pages) with 10 years of validity | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Fresh passport (containing 60 pages) with 10 years of validity | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Re-issuance of passport (containing 60 pages) with 10 years of validity | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Fresh/re-issuance of passport for applicants below the age of 18 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 36 pages) due to stolen/damaged passport | 3,000 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 60 pages) due to stolen/damaged passport | 3,500 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 36 pages) to change personal details | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 60 pages) to change personal details | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Passport replacement (Containing 36 pages) for minors to change personal details | 1,000 | 2,000 |
Eligibility criteria for passport application
The following are certain criteria that make an individual eligible to apply for a passport in India.
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- Adults (18 years or older) can submit a passport application.
- Minors (below the age of 18) can also apply for a passport in India. Minors (aged between 15 and 18) can opt for a full 10-year validity passport.
Validity of a passport
In case you want to know about the expiry or validity of your passport, here’s an overview.
- A regular passport containing 36 or 60 pages comes with 10 years of validity from its issuance date.
- A passport for minors comes with 5 years of validity or until the minor reaches 18 years of age, whichever occurs earlier.
- A passport for minors aged between 15 to 18 years can also come with a full validity of 10 years.
Processing time after passport application submission
The processing time for a passport depends on the type of application and associated complexities.
| Types of service | Dispatch Time |
| Normal passport application | 3 working days or more (depending on the type of police verification involved in the process) |
| Tatkaal passport application | 1 to 3 working days (depending on the type of police verification involved in the process) |
| Application with complex cases (like adoption, doubtful documentation, etc.) | Approximately 30 working days |
How to track the status of your passport application
After completing the process, you can use the official portal to track the status of your passport application using the following steps.
Step 1: Visit the home page of the Passport Seva platform.
Step 2: Click on the button named “Track Application Status”.
Step 3: On the next screen, add details like your “Application Type”, “File Number”, and “Date of Birth”.
Step 4: Click on the “Track Status” button to view the status of your application.