How to Apply for a Passport in India — Step-by-Step Guide

To apply for an Indian passport, register on the Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in), fill out the application form, pay the fee online, and book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). The process takes 30-45 days under normal processing or 1-7 working days under Tatkal, and costs between ₹1,500 and ₹4,000 depending on booklet size and processing speed. You will need proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of date of birth.

Who can apply for a passport

• Any citizen of India, whether by birth, descent, registration, or naturalisation, under Section 4 of the Passports Act, 1967
• Minors (below 18 years) — application must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian
• Adults aged 18 years and above — can apply independently
• Persons with disabilities — entitled to priority appointments at PSKs
• Government employees — must provide a prior intimation letter or No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their department
• Senior citizens (60 years and above) — eligible for a 10% discount on application fees

You cannot apply if: You are not an Indian citizen, your citizenship is in dispute, or criminal proceedings are pending against you under Section 6(2) of the Passports Act (though the Passport Authority has discretion to issue in certain circumstances).

Documents you will need

Mandatory documents

• Proof of identity (any one) — Aadhaar card, voter ID (EPIC), PAN card, or driving licence (original + photocopy)
• Proof of address (any one) — Aadhaar card, utility bill (water, electricity, gas — not older than 3 months), bank passbook with current address, or voter ID (original + photocopy)
• Proof of date of birth (any one) — Birth certificate issued by Municipal Authority or Registrar of Births, school leaving certificate (Class 10 marksheet), or Aadhaar card (original + photocopy)
• Self-attested photographs — Two recent passport-sized colour photographs (2 x 2 inches, white background) — most PSKs now capture photographs digitally, but carry printed copies as backup
• Aadhaar card — Mandatory for address verification under the new streamlined process

Additional documents (if applicable)

• Marriage certificate — If you have changed your name after marriage and want the new name on the passport
• Divorce decree / death certificate of spouse — For separated, divorced, or widowed applicants who need the spouse column updated
• NOC / prior intimation letter — Required for government employees, statutory body employees, and PSU employees
• Annexure F (Declaration of parent/guardian) — Required for minor applicants, signed by the parent not accompanying the child
• Court order for custody — If applying for a minor's passport and parents are separated or divorced

Step-by-step process

Step 1: Register on the Passport Seva portal

Visit the official Passport Seva website and create an account using your email address. Complete the registration by verifying the activation link sent to your email. Log in with your credentials to access the application dashboard.

Where: passportindia.gov.in Form: Online registration form Fee: No fee for registration

Tip: Use the same email address that you check regularly — all appointment reminders, status updates, and dispatch notifications are sent to this email.

Step 2: Fill the passport application form

Select "Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport" from the dashboard. Choose the type of application — fresh passport or re-issue — and fill out all fields in the online form. The form captures personal details, family information, address, emergency contact, and previous passport details (if re-issue). Review all entries carefully before final submission.

Where: Online at passportindia.gov.in after login Form: Equivalent to Form 2 (for fresh/re-issue) — filled digitally Fee: No separate form fee

Tip: Fill the form in one sitting if possible. You can save a partially filled form as a draft, but ensure your browser does not clear cookies. Double-check the spelling of your name — it must match your Aadhaar and other ID documents exactly.

Step 3: Pay the application fee online

After submitting the form, proceed to the payment gateway. Select the booklet type (36-page or 60-page) and processing mode (Normal or Tatkal). Pay using net banking, credit card, debit card, or UPI. Download the payment receipt and the application reference number.

Where: Online payment gateway on passportindia.gov.in Form: Not applicable Fee: ₹1,500 (normal 36-page) / ₹2,000 (normal 60-page) / ₹3,500 (Tatkal 36-page) / ₹4,000 (Tatkal 60-page)

Tip: For Tatkal applications, fees include both the normal fee and the Tatkal surcharge of ₹2,000. Keep the payment receipt — you will need it at the PSK.

Step 4: Schedule an appointment at a PSK or POPSK

After payment, the portal prompts you to book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Regional Passport Office (RPO), or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) near you. Select a convenient date and time slot from the available options. You will receive a confirmation email and SMS with the appointment details.

Where: Online booking on passportindia.gov.in Form: Appointment confirmation slip (print this) Fee: No additional fee

Tip: POPSK appointments are often available sooner than PSK slots in metro cities. If you are in a hurry under normal processing, check POPSK availability — these are located in Head Post Offices and offer the same services. Arrive 15 minutes before your slot time.

Step 5: Visit the PSK with original documents

On the appointment date, visit the PSK or POPSK with all original documents and one set of photocopies. The process at the centre involves three counters: (A) document verification, (B) biometric capture (photograph, fingerprints, iris scan), and (C) final verification by the granting officer. The entire visit typically takes 1-3 hours.

Where: The PSK, RPO, or POPSK centre selected during appointment booking Form: Printed application receipt and appointment confirmation Fee: No additional fee at the centre

Tip: Carry ALL original documents listed in the checklist, even if the portal did not specifically ask for them. Officers have discretion to ask for additional proof. Do not carry electronic gadgets beyond mobile phones — many PSKs restrict entry of bags and electronics.

Step 6: Complete police verification

For normal (non-Tatkal) applications, police verification happens after the PSK visit. Your local police station will verify your address and background. An officer may visit your residence or ask you to appear at the station. For Tatkal applications, police verification is conducted before the passport is issued (pre-issue verification) at the PSK itself or shortly after.

Where: Your local police station (based on the address in your application) Form: No form required from your side — the passport office sends the verification request Fee: No fee

Tip: Keep a photocopy of your application receipt at home. If the police officer visits and you are not available, call the police station to schedule a convenient time. Prompt cooperation with police verification significantly speeds up the overall process.

Step 7: Receive your passport

Once police verification is complete and cleared, the passport is printed at the Central Passport Printing Facility and dispatched to your address via India Post Speed Post. You can track the dispatch status on passportindia.gov.in using your application reference number or file number.

Where: Delivered to the address mentioned in your application via Speed Post Form: Not applicable Fee: No additional fee (Speed Post charges are included in the application fee)

Tip: Track the Speed Post consignment using the tracking number sent to your registered mobile. If no one is available at home, the postman will leave a delivery slip — collect the passport from the Head Post Office within the specified period.

Fees and costs

Note: Senior citizens (60+) receive a 10% discount on fresh passport fees. The fee for re-issue (renewal, change of details, or exhaustion of pages) is the same as a fresh passport.

How long does it take

Can you do this online?

Yes — the entire application process is online except for the mandatory in-person visit to the PSK or POPSK. Here is the digital route:

1. Register at passportindia.gov.in with your email
2. Fill the application entirely online — no paper forms needed
3. Pay fees through the integrated payment gateway (UPI, net banking, card)
4. Book appointment for the nearest PSK/POPSK — all done online
5. Track status online using file number or application reference number
6. Track dispatch using the Speed Post tracking number

The only offline step is the physical visit to the PSK for document verification and biometric capture. There is no option to skip this step — all passport applicants must appear in person at least once.

What if things go wrong

Problem: Appointment slots are unavailable for weeks

Solution: Check the portal multiple times per day — cancelled appointments free up slots and are released in real-time. Try booking at a POPSK instead of a PSK, as these centres are less crowded. Alternatively, select a PSK in a neighbouring district where demand may be lower.

Problem: Application rejected at the PSK due to document mismatch

Solution: If there is a discrepancy between your application form and your original documents (name spelling, date of birth, address), the PSK officer will return your application with a specific note on what needs correction. Log in to the portal, make the corrections, and book a fresh appointment. There is no additional fee for re-submission.

Problem: Police verification delayed beyond 21 days

Solution: File a grievance on the Passport Seva portal under "Track your Grievance" or call the Passport Seva Call Centre at 1800-258-1800 (toll-free). You can also file an RTI application with the Regional Passport Office asking for the specific status of your police verification.

Problem: Passport dispatched but not received

Solution: Track the Speed Post consignment on the India Post website (indiapost.gov.in) using the tracking number. If the passport is shown as "delivered" but you did not receive it, file a complaint at your local Head Post Office and simultaneously raise a grievance on the Passport Seva portal. A replacement passport will be issued after verification.

Problem: Passport application for a minor when parents are separated

Solution: If one parent refuses to sign the consent form (Annexure C or Annexure D), the applying parent can submit a court order granting custody or a written declaration along with supporting documents explaining the situation. The Passport Authority has discretion under the rules to issue the passport in the child's interest.

State-specific differences

The passport application process is uniform across India — the Passports Act, 1967 is a central legislation, and the fee structure, document requirements, and processing timelines are the same regardless of state. However, practical differences exist:

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a passport without an Aadhaar card?

Yes, but the process becomes significantly longer. Aadhaar-based applications benefit from the streamlined police verification process, where verification happens electronically in many states. Without Aadhaar, you must provide alternative identity and address proofs, and physical police verification is mandatory. The Passports Act does not make Aadhaar legally compulsory, but the administrative process strongly incentivises it.

What is the difference between a PSK and a POPSK?

A Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) is a dedicated passport office operated by the Ministry of External Affairs, typically located in district headquarters and major cities. A Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) is a smaller facilitation centre located in select Head Post Offices, offering the same services. POPSKs are often less crowded and available in semi-urban areas, making them a convenient alternative for applicants outside metro cities.

Can I get a passport if I have a criminal case pending against me?

Section 6(2) of the Passports Act, 1967 allows the Passport Authority to refuse a passport if criminal proceedings are pending. However, this is discretionary, not automatic. If the offence is bailable, or if the court has not imposed travel restrictions, the Passport Authority may still issue a passport. If refused, you can appeal to the appellate authority designated under Section 11 of the Act.

Is the Tatkal passport the same as a regular passport?

Yes, the physical passport booklet is identical — the only difference is the processing speed and cost. Tatkal applications are processed on a priority basis (typically 1-7 working days) but require an additional fee of ₹2,000 over the normal fee. However, Tatkal passports require pre-issue police verification, which means the verification must be completed before the passport is printed, whereas normal passports use post-issue verification.

How long is the passport valid for?

For adults (18 years and above), the passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. For minors (below 18 years), the passport is valid for 5 years or until the minor turns 18, whichever is earlier. Upon expiry, you must apply for re-issue (commonly called renewal) — the process and documents are similar to a fresh application.

Can someone else collect the passport on my behalf?

No. The passport is dispatched exclusively via India Post Speed Post to the address mentioned in the application. It must be received by the applicant or a family member at that address. There is no option for third-party collection from the passport office or post office unless you have a registered Power of Attorney and special circumstances warrant it.

This guide is part of Veritect's Legal Procedure Guides, a step-by-step reference for common Indian legal processes. Last updated: 2026-03-27. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.