Apassport is an essential document mostly used for travel, but it can also be a very handy document for identity. Of course, people need a passport to travel abroad for various reasons like education, pilgrimage, tourism, business purposes, medical attendance and family visits etc.
In the past few decades, the spread of globalisation and the increase in the number of people from India travelling abroad has led to an increase in the demand for passports and related services. But while the demands for passports have increased most people are still unawares as to how to go about applying for a passport. To meet this increased demand, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched the Passport Seva Project (PSP) in May 2010.
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Passport Seva ensures a simple, efficient and transparent processes for delivery of passport and related services. This project created a countrywide networked environment for Government staff and integrated with the State Police for physical verification of applicant’s credentials and with India Post for delivery of passports.
How to apply for a passport online
You can apply for your Passport via e-Form Submission. For that a person has:
- To apply for fresh or reissue of passport via e-From Submission, users need to register on the Passport Seva Portal.
- After registering, you need to login to the Passport Seva Portal.
- Download the e-Form for fresh or reissue of Passport.
- Fill the downloaded e-Form and click the Validate & Save button. This will generate an XML file which will be required later for uploading in the system.
- Upload the XML file through the Upload e-Form. Do not upload the PDF form at this stage as only XML file is accepted by the system.
- After uploading the form for fresh or reissue of Passport, click the “Pay and Schedule Appointment” link to schedule an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
- Search for Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) location and select your PSK.
- After booking the appointment at selected PSK, you can make an online payment through Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard & Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) and Associate Banks Only) or SBI Bank Challan.
- Use the Online Fee Calculator to calculate the fee for passport services.
- Take the print of the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number.
- Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) where appointment has been booked, along with original documents –External website that opens in a new window such as Proof of Date of Birth, Identity proof with photograph, Proof of residence and Proof of nationality.
- Apply for Passport via e-form Submission.
- Documents Required-External website that opens in a new window.
- Tracking the status of your application.
Tatkaal Passport Scheme
Tatkaal Passport Service is a scheme available to passport applicants who need their passports urgently or on short notice without going through the regular procedure. The final authority for the issuance of passport under the Tatkaal scheme lies with the passport office.
Passport under the Tatkaal Scheme is dispatched within one working day excluding the date of submission of application if police verification is not required. In case if police verification is required on a Post-Passport Issuance basis, the passport is dispatched on the third working day excluding the date of submission of application – without waiting for the Police Verification Report.
Citizens can apply for the issuing of fresh passport or reissue of passport under Tatkaal Scheme through e-Form Submission or Online Form Submission or apply in person.
- Use the Online Fee Calculator to calculate the fee for passport services under Tatkaal Scheme.
- Appointment opening time for Tatkaal service
Other Services
Passport Seva Portal also provides Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and Identity Certificate online.
Getting a police clearance or verification is a very important step before a passport is issued. This ensures that the passport does not fall into the wrong hands or that a wrong person has not been issued the passport. It is the Passport Office (PO) that determines whether a Police Verification is required or not for the issuance of the passport.
- Users can apply Police Clearance Certificate via e-Form Submission or Online Form Submission or apply in person. Documents required for Police Clearance Certificate
- Know your police station
Identity Certificate
Identity Certificate (IC) is normally issued to Tibetan Refugees residing in India, from the Regional Passport Office, Delhi (RPO Delhi) on recommendation by the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (HHDL), New Delhi. In addition to Tibetan refugees, Stateless people residing in India may also apply for Identity Certificate at the Passport Office within whose jurisdiction they are currently residing.
IC issuance is subject to clearance by Ministry of External Affairs (Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division). In addition, clearance by State Government (Department of Home Affairs / Police) / Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is also required for grant of No Objection to Return to India (NORI) to be stamped on the Identity Certificate.
One can apply for Identity Certificate via e-Form submission or Online Form Submission or apply in person.
Use the Online Fee Calculator to calculate the fee for Identity Certificate.
mPassport Seva
The Ministry of External Affairs has now launched a mobile app called mPassport Seva which will provide all the passport related information on your smartphone.
mPassport Seva is designed primarily for the citizens who are only interested in passport related information. It’s a light weight, easy to use app that provides specific details on areas such as Location of centers, Fee, Application Status, Contact Information and other General Information.
The Ministry of External Affairs, along with Common Services Centre (CSC) e-Governance Service India Limited has also launched passport related services through the vast network of over one lakh Common Services Centres (CSCs) across the country’s rural hinterland. Initially, the services are launched in pilot mode at 15 select CSC locations in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and later expanded to the rest of the country.
