Overview of Passport Application in India

Gone are the days when it required an individual months of planning and preparing to apply for a passport. With advanced technology and access to the internet, it has become easier than ever to issue a passport and fulfil most of the related formalities from the comfort of one’s home. 

To begin with, one needs to register on their official website – www.passportindia.gov.in. Once registered, one can schedule an appointment date and time for a nearby passport centre where they will be required to present their documents after which they will be expected to complete the next step which involves being verified by the police. As soon as police verification is processed, their passport will be delivered to their address of residence within a couple of weeks. 

A fee of INR 1500-2000/- is charged to issue a fresh passport or re-issue one depending on whether you require an additional booklet or not.   

While registering online is not a difficult task, digging through piles of documents to find the right ones to carry to the passport office might seem intimidating. And if you’re one of those folks who appreciate a clear list with all the necessary information compiled in a presentable way, then this is the right place for you.    

The three kinds of documents required at the passport centre include –

1. Proof of present address: The kinds of documents accepted here include –

1. Water bill
2. Electricity bill
3. Gas connection slip
4. Income tax assessment order
5. Voter ID
6. Employer’s certificate
7. Spouse’s passport copy
8. Parents’ passport copy for kids
9. Aadhaar card
10. Rent agreement
11. Bank passbook 

Any one document from this list is enough to act as a proof of your current address. However, it is always advisable to carry 2-3 documents to avoid unforeseen problems. 

1. Date of birth proof: The documents accepted in this section include –

1. Birth certificate
2. School leaving certificate
3. Insurance policy bond
4. Pay pension certificate for Government employees
5. Aadhaar card
6. Voter ID
7. Pan card
8. Driving license
9. Certificate from orphanage for orphans

Similar to the proof of address, the date of birth proof also requires submission of any one document out of the given list. 

1. Non-ECR category certificate: This is basically a proof of completion of the 10^th grade of school, hence requiring a 10^th passing certificate or a higher degree certificate if applicable. 

Applicants under the age of 18 years of age will require submission of an additional form showcasing parental consent for passport application. 

Thus, producing the related documents at the passport centre is all it takes to ensure a hassle-free application for your passport in India. All these documents should be attested and free from errors pertaining to your personal details. 

For people over the age of 16, the passport is valid for a period of 10 years whereas it has a validity of 5 years for applicants below the age of 16.