The following steps have to be followed to complete the passport application process. This process is simple, but some important documents and procedures need to be completed correctly.
Passport Application Process:
1. Filling Passport Application Form:
- Online Application:
The application process for passport is online. For this, first of all you have to go to the Passport Seva Kendra website (https://www.passportindia.gov.in). - Visit official website of Passport and click on “Apply for Fresh Passport” or “Apply for Renewal of Passport”.
- Fill the application form. You have to enter personal information, address, date of birth, and other details.
- After filling the form correctly, Submit it.
- Offline Application (if you do not want to do it online):
You can take the form from the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the concerned passport office and submit it there after filling it. However, most applications are now online.
2. Payment of application fee:
- After filling the online application form, you have to pay the application fee. You can pay the fee through credit/debit card, net banking, or challan.
- New passport: ₹1,500 – ₹3,500 (depending on the type of application and validity of passport)
- Renewal/re-issue of passport: ₹1,000 – ₹2,000
3. Documents required:
Some important documents are required with your application:
- Identity Proof: Like Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, driving license.
- Date of Birth Proof: Like Birth Certificate, 10th Class Marksheet.
- Address Proof: Like Aadhar Card, Electricity Bill, Bank Statement.
- Passport Application Form (filled online).
- Photographs: 2 recent passport size photographs.
- Marital Status Proof (if married): Marriage Certificate.
4. Uploading Documents:
If you are applying online, then scanned copies of documents (all certificates) have to be uploaded. After uploading these documents online, “Submit” the application form.
5. Taking an Appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK):
- After submitting the application, you have to take an Appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). – You can book an Appointment slot from the online portal.
- Visit the PSK on the selected date and time and submit all the original documents there.
6. Document Verification and Biometric Process:
- Your mandatory documents will be verified at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). If all the documents are found to be correct, then your Biometric (fingerprint and photo) process will be done.
- There is also a step of Police Verification, which happens later.
7. Police Verification:
- Police Verification is very important in passport application. The police come to your address and collect information about you and make sure that you do not have any criminal case against you.
- The verification report is sent to the passport office. Only after this the passport is issued.
8. Passport Issuance:
- After the passport application process is completed, the passport is usually sent to your address within 7 to 15 working days.
- You can also track the passport status on the passport portal.
9. Passport Receipt:
- When the passport is ready, it will be sent to the address provided by you by post. You can also track the passport.
- If there is any problem or you do not receive the passport for any reason, you can contact the Passport Seva Kendra.
General Time Frame for Passport Application:
- New Passport: 7 to 15 days
- Passport Renewal: 7 to 10 days
- Police Verification may take some time, depending on the situation.
Overall, the main steps of passport application process are:
- Filling online application
- Uploading documents
- Payment of application fee
- Taking appointment at PSK and getting document verification done
- Police verification
- Receipt of passport
The documents required for passport and information about police verification are as follows:
Required Documents:
A. Identity Proof:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Driving License
- PAN Card
- Ration Card
B. Date of Birth Proof:
- Birth Certificate
- Class 10th Marksheet
- Aadhaar Card
C. Address Proof:
- Aadhaar Card
- Electricity Bill
- Phone Bill
- Rent Agreement
- Bank Passbook/Statement
D. Passport Application Form:
- Passport application form can be filled online or from Passport Seva Kendra.
E. Photographs:
- 2 recent colour passport size photographs (Size 35mm x 45mm).
F. Marital Status Proof (If Married):
- Marriage Certificate
Police Verification:
Police verification for passport is a necessary process, which is done to ensure that there is no criminal record against the applicant. The process of police verification is as follows:
A. Steps for Police Verification:
- Submitting the application form: After filling the passport application form, you have to go to the police station for police verification.
- Verification at the applicant’s local police station: Your documents will be checked by police officers. This verification is done from your home address, where the police will verify your address and biodata.
- Physical check and inquiry: The police can come to your residence and take information about your identity, family members. Also, any kind of criminal record is also checked.
- Police Report: After the verification is completed by the police, a report is sent to the passport office, which is required for the final decision.
B. Tips to avoid verification:
- All documents should be correct and verified.
- The police should not have any problem reaching the address given by you.
- If you already have a criminal record, it may come up during verification.
C. Police verification time:
Police verification can usually take up to 15-30 days, but it depends on the functioning of the state and local police.
Tips:
- Fill the passport application form online so that the process is faster.
- All documents should be correct and updated.
- Give your full cooperation during police verification.