Documents Required for Passport In India 2023

 

There are some necessary Documents Required for Passport in India, if you want to travel internationally. Beyond international trips, passports act as essential identity proof. The specific documents necessary for an Indian passport vary based on the type of passport you are applying. 

The Government of India has smoothened the passport application process to make it more accessible. You can easily apply for an Indian Passport If you have the necessary documents which I mentioned below in the blog.

 

What is Passport?

A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that certifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. It allows individuals to travel internationally and serves as proof of their citizenship. 

Passports typically contain personal information such as the holder's name, date of birth, photograph, and signature. They also include essential details like the passport number, issuing authority, and expiration date. There are different types of passports such as Regular Passports, Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, and Emergency Passports.

In addition to securing a valid passport, it's wise to consider comprehensive ‘Travel Insurance’ to protect against unexpected events during your international journey

 

Why do you need Passport?

A passport is an important document that serves several crucial purposes. Some of the aspects are mentioned below:

• Verification of Identity: Passports serve as a globally recognized document to confirm the identity of the bearer.

• Proof of Nationality: They establish the nationality and citizenship of the holder, a prerequisite for entry into foreign countries.

• International Travel: Passports are essential for crossing international borders and gaining entry to other nations.

• Visa Requirements: Many countries require a valid passport to issue a visa for foreign travellers.

• Consular Assistance: Passports provide access to consular services from one's home country when abroad, ensuring assistance in case of emergencies.

• Legal Documentation: They are a legal requirement for international travel and a primary form of identification during trips.

Before starting your journey, consider essential aspects like having a valid passport and securing comprehensive ‘Travel Insurance’ to safeguard against unforeseen events such as protection against personal liability, replacement for stolen luggage, etc.

 

List of Documents Required for Passport In India

The list of documents necessary for a passport application can vary depending on the specific passport category. Below, you'll find a general list of documents needed to apply for an Indian passport.

• Proof of Address: Voter ID Card, Aadhaar Card, Electricity Bill, Gas Connection Bill, Bank Account Statement, Rent Agreement.

• Proof of Date of Birth: Birth Certificate, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Driving Licence.

• Photo ID Proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence, Voter ID Card.

• Passport-size Photographs: Two recent passport-size photos with a white background.

• Previous Passport: If you have an old passport, you need to submit it along with the application form.

 

Documents Required for Adults

It is an easy process to issue a fresh passport, but some documents are required to have before applying. So, I’ve mentioned all the list below:

Proof of Identity: You have to submit any one of the following documents below:

• Aadhaar card

• Voter ID card

• PAN card

• Driving license

• Government ID card

• Photo credit card

• Government service identity card

• Pension document

 

Proof of address: You can submit any one of the copies of the following documents:

• Utility bills such as electricity, telephone, water supply, and gas.

• Aadhaar card

• Voters ID card

• Driving license

• A bank statement.

• Rent agreement

• Income tax assessment order

 

Proof of age: It is a mandatory document to submit when applying for a passport that is mentioned below

• Birth certificate issued by the Municipal Authority or Registrar of Births and Deaths.

• School leaving certificate.

• Certificate of date of birth.

• Declaration by Orphanage/Child Care Home Head.

• Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar of the applicant.

 

Photographs: Three recent colour photographs with the size of 2-inch x 2-inch. Make sure to have a plain white background, not wear any glasses, and have a neutral expression.
 

Documents Required for Minors

There are some documents required for obtaining a new passport for a minor and it’s slightly different from adult documents which I mentioned below:

Proof of identity:  There are some documents that you need to submit as proof of identity that are mentioned below: 

• Copy of Parent’s passport 

• Birth certificate

 

Proof of address: There are some documents that you need to submit as proof of address that are mentioned below:

Parent's present address proof including:

• Passbook of an active bank account

• Electricity bill

• Utility bill

• Rent agreement

• Landline / Mobile bill

• Gas connection proof

 

Proof of age: There are some documents that you need to submit as proof of age that are mentioned below:

• Birth certificate issued by the municipal corporation.

• A declaration given by any orphanage on official letterhead confirming the applicant’s DOB.

• School leaving certificate.

• Mark sheet of secondary or higher secondary.

• Policy bond with the policyholder’s date of birth.

 

Documents Required for Passport Renewal/Reissue

You may need to renew or reissue a passport after 5-10 years or due to certain circumstances such as expiration, name change, damage, lost or stolen, visa pages exhausted, change in appearance, validity for certain documents, or child-to-adult transition.

• Original Old Passport: With a photocopy of its first two and last two pages, including the ECR/Non-ECR page and the page of observation.

• Proof of Address: Utility bills/Aadhaar or Voter ID Card/Driving licence/Bank statement.

• Photographs: Two recent colour photographs of size 2-inch x 2-inch.

• Valid Visa: Self-attested copy of the valid visa and page of observation, if any, made by the Passport Issuing Authority.

• For Minor: A declaration affirming that the minor does not hold a valid passport.

• For Married Woman: Marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriage (if a woman is applying for a change in her name after marriage).

 

Documents Required for Availing Diplomatic/Official Passport

Diplomatic and Official Passports can be issued to individuals who travel abroad for diplomatic assignments. The documents that you’ve to submit are:

• A letter from the sponsoring authority.

• Identity card issued by the sponsoring authority.

• A copy of the official order or the appointment letter.

• Proof of date of birth.

• Proof of the present address.

 

How to Apply Tatkaal Passport Online?

A tatkaal passport is a type of passport that can be issued for an emergency such as immediate travel, medical or business emergencies, or students who need to travel for studies. It can be issued as a new passport application or re-issue for the existing passports. 

The main advantage of this type of passport is, that it can be issued within one to three working days, depending on the urgency of the requirement. But, tatkaal passport service is more expensive than regular passport service and can be applied for only genuine urgent cases.

Documents required to apply for a Tatkaal Passport In India

• Proof of age such as birth or school leaving certificate, etc.

• Proof of address such as aadhaar card, voter ID card, electricity bill, etc.

• Copies of passport the first two and last two pages of your expired passport.

• Annexure E is the declaration of citizenship, family details, and no criminal record.

• Two passport-sized photographs of the size of 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm.

 

Process to Apply for a Tatkaal Passport Online

The Government of India makes the process of “applying for a tatkaal passport online” easy. I’ve explained the easy steps that you can follow for a hassle-free experience.

Step 1: To apply for a tatkaal passport, register on the “Passport Seva” portal using your email ID.

 

Step 2: Once you are registered, log in to the Passport Portal and ‘Apply for Fresh Passport’.

 

Step 3: Make sure to choose the Tatkal mode and fill in all the correct information in the application form online. 

Step 4: Once the upload is complete, click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link to schedule an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Step 5: Select the correct Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) location and select your PSK.

Step 6: After booking your preferred appointment date and time at the selected PSK, you will take to the online payment page. You can choose to pay through a Credit/Debit Card or Internet Banking.

Step 7: Once the payment is completed, you have to take a printout of the application receipt containing the Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number.

Step 8: You have to now visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) on the date and time your appointment has been booked. You have to take the printout of the filled application form along with the original documents - such as proof of date of birth, identity proof with photograph, proof of residence, and proof of nationality.

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, you need different documents for different needs. For example, for a new passport, you can fill out the application form online. For the tatkaal service, you’ve to pay extra fees and so on. Once you apply for a passport, you need to wait for 30-35 days depending on the service you want. And you can also go for the tatkaal service to have the passport in three to four working days.

 

FAQ’s

How many documents are required for a passport?

Proof of Address, Proof of Nationality, and Self-attested copies of the first two and last two pages of your old passport (if any). 

 

Documents required for a passport in India after marriage

Marriage certificate, existing passport (if any), proof of address and date of birth, annexure B, photographs, and name change document (if applicable).

 

Are original documents required for passport renewal in India?

Original documents are not typically required for passport renewal in India; photocopies and self-attested copies suffice in most cases.

 

What are the Documents required for ECR passport in India?

For an ECR (Emigration Check Required) passport in India, you need proof of date of birth, address, and ECR endorsement.

 

What documents are required for a newborn baby passport in India?

For a newborn baby's Indian passport, you need the baby's birth certificate, parents' passports, and passport-sized photos.

 

What documents are required for police verification of a passport in India?

For police verification of an Indian passport, you need the passport application receipt, address proof, and identity documents.

 

Is there a government portal where I can find more information related to the documents required for an Indian passport? 

You can visit the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs for more information.

Do I need to submit proof of age while applying for a Tatkaal passport?

Yes. It’s necessary to submit a proof of age document while applying for a tatkaal passport.

 

While applying for a passport re-issue, do I need to submit my old passport?

Yes, you need to submit your old passport when applying for a passport re-issue.

 

My baby is 2 months old, does the baby require a separate passport? 

According to the new passport guidelines, parents are no longer able to endorse their child's name on their passports. This means that each minor must now have a separate passport.

 

What to do if the documents required for passport application are not available?

In some cases, certain alternative documents might work if the required document is unavailable. Please discuss the same with the passport office.