How to Get a Passport: A Complete Guide

Hey travel freak, do you have plans to visit tourist places abroad? Are you planning to further your studies, or do you wish to work overseas? I can imagine that the first thing you think of is getting a passport. It’s the first step in your future endeavours.

Do you feel intimidated by the process of applying for a passport? Let’s relax and have some fun instead. Ever wondered why passports are called passports?

The word Passport is thought to have originated in France, from the words ‘passer’ (to go or pass-through) and ‘port’ (gate or port); thus, it should come as no surprise that the concept took off during the reign of King Louis XIV. It is said that favourites in his court were granted personal passports signed by the Sun King.

The concept of a standard passport is relatively new, developed in the wake of the First World War.

The passport document generally confirms the identity and nationality of its holder.

Here are a few points you should know about applying for an Indian passport so that you can get yours easily and move on to the next phase of your trip’s planning.

Applying for an Indian Passport

Indian citizens planning to depart from India need a valid passport or travel document.

The Government of India issues different kinds of passports and travel documents based on the Passports Act 1967, including Ordinary Passports, Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, and Emergency Certificates.

Before you apply for a passport, here are a few things you should know.

When you plan to apply for your passport, keep the following documents handy:

  • Proof of Date of Birth:

    Birth certificates, school leaving certificates, etc. can be used as proof of date of birth.
  • Identity proof with photograph (the documents you submit will be verified by the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) officials)

    As an Identity proof, you can show a Driving Licence, PAN Card, Election Photo Identification Card, Aadhaar card, etc.
  • Proof of residence

    A photo passbook for a bank account, a utility bill, an election ID card, an electric bill, an income tax assessment order, an Aadhaar card, etc., can all be used as proof of residence.
  • Proof of nationality (the supporting documents will be verified by Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) officials).

    Documents relating to the date or place of birth can be produced.

Online Registration and Appointment

The Indian government has implemented an online registration and appointment system, to reduce congestion at the Passport Seva Kendra.

There is no point in visiting a Passport Seva Kendra without applying online, except for emergency medical cases or pre-approved categories at the discretion of the Passport Officer.

The appointment system reduces the waiting times for applicants by dividing appointments among the Passport Seva Kendras and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras. Appointments are assigned based on the capacity of each designated location.

If you wish to apply for a passport, you need to complete and submit an online application form (or, you can download the online application form and complete it, then upload it at the Online Portal), schedule an appointment, and finally visit a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)).

In case you find it intimidating, no worries; we will cover the Appointment Booking Process in detail in the next section.

Online Form Submission for an Appointment

Are you worried about the hassle of getting the passport process done at the Passport Seva Kendra? There is no hassle at all. Follow these simple steps to apply for your passport online. 

You can register for a passport online on the official website, passportindia.gov.in.

The following instructions apply if you currently reside in India.

Online Form Application Process for Those Who Currently Live in India

Here is the information directly derived from passportindia.gov.in.

Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva Online Portal to register. To register, go to passportindia.gov.in and click on ‘New User Registration’.

Step 2: Log in to the Passport Seva Online Portal using the Login ID you created in Step 1.

Step 3: The application for the Global Entry Program (GEP) can be accessed by clicking ‘Apply for Background Verification’.

Step 4: Fill out the form and submit it.

Step 5: You can schedule an appointment by clicking the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ link on the ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’ screen.

All PSK/POPSK/POs require online payments for booking appointments.

Payments can be made online using any of the following methods:

  • MasterCard and Visa credit/debit cards
  • Banking via the Internet (State Bank of India (SBI) and other banks)
  • UPI Payment

Step 6: To print the application receipt, click the ‘Print Application Receipt’ link. The application receipt will contain the Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number.

The printout of the Application Receipt is no longer required. When you visit Passport Seva Kendra, an SMS with your appointment details is also accepted as proof of appointment. If you can, take a printout of the Application Receipt.

Step 7: Present original documents to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Regional Passport Office (RPO) where an appointment has been scheduled.

Online Form Application Process for Those Who Are Not Living in India

If you are not currently residing in India, the following instructions apply to you.

Here is the information directly derived from passportindia.gov.in.

Step 1: Please register online at www.embassy.passportindia.gov.in (please select your country of residence and click ‘Register’ on the Home Page. If your country of residence does not appear in the Global Passport Seva Online Portal, please follow the Online Form Submission India process.)

Step 2: Use the Login ID created in Step 1 to access the Global Passport Seva Online Portal.

Step 3: Go to the GEP background check application page.

Step 4: Submit the application form after filling in the required information.

Step 5: You can print the details of your application by clicking the ‘Print Application Form’ link. It contains the Application Reference Number (ARN) and other information.

Step 6: Check the website of the Indian Embassy/Consulate to find out the process for submitting your application to the Global Entry Program (GEP). The applicant must visit the Embassy/Consulate office or Outsourced Service Provider (OSP) along with the relevant documents and the USD 25 fee (as per the Embassy/Consulate application submission process).

Few key things to know

If you are applying for a passport for your child under four years of age, bring a recent passport-size photo (4.5 X 3.5 cm) with a white background.

If you do not visit a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) within 90 days following the submission of the online application form, you will need to resubmit the application.

You can reschedule or cancel your appointment if you can’t visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) on your confirmed date. Passportindia.gov.in mentions that applicants may re-apply three times within a year of their first appointment date.

Okay, I’ve Applied Online and Booked an Appointment, but, What’s Next?

The next step is to visit Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) as per your scheduled appointment.

The purpose of visiting Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) is to verify the authenticity and originality of your documents. Bring the original and photocopies of the requisite documents when you visit. 

Photographs are not required for passport applications, according to passportindia.gov.in. The requisite documents are described in the previous section or you can refer to passportindia.gov.in for more information.

Suppose you visit a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) but fail to provide a certain document, no worries. According to passportindia.gov.in, the PSK can give you a ‘refused token’ in cases where the required set of documents is unavailable. You can then return to the same Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) with the required documents.

Police Verification

Documents such as passports are extremely important. Police verification is required to ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands.

Police verification mainly takes place in two ways:

  • Police Verification is required on a Post-Passport Issuance basis.
  • Police Verification is required on a Pre-Passport Issuance basis.

How does Pre-Police Verification for Passports work?

This step is usually carried out after the applicant completes the application form and attaches all necessary information, annexures, and attachments, but before the application is approved (and the passport is issued). Verification is conducted at the police station in charge of the applicant’s residence.

Officers verify the applicant’s information on the application form, including their name, age, and address. An officer will visit the applicant at their home address to complete this process. When the applicant’s information is correct, the police station notifies the passport office, which issues the passport.

How does Post Police Verification for Passport work?

The most common type of police verification is done before passports are issued; however, post-passport police verification is also possible. In this case, the applicant’s passport has already been issued and the process of verification is complete.

The applicant no longer needs to provide police verification if the renewal application is submitted before the current passport expires. Moreover, the applicants should not have any criminal charges against them, and their prior police check should be clear.

Conclusion

This article provides you with key information and steps to get you a Passport with ease. It begins with an online application and ends with successful verifications at the Passport office and by the police station in charge of your residence.

Did you know that there are some places you can visit without a passport? Indian nationals do not need a passport or visa to travel to countries like Nepal and Bhutan. All they need is a government-issued photo ID.

FAQs on How To Get A Passport

Could someone else apply on my behalf for a passport?

Applicants are required to present their applicant print receipts and original documents after submitting their online application at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) under the new system.

Do I need to pay a fee for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

A fee of INR 500 has to be paid for Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs).

How are passports dispatched?

India Post delivers the passport by Speed Post to the applicant’s current address as entered in the passport application form.

What is the cost of getting a passport in India?

According to passportindia.gov.in, fresh passports and reissues of passports cost INR 1500/- each.

In what cases is background verification required for GEP? How can I apply for it?

Indian Citizens seeking enrollment in the Global Entry Program (GEP) are vetted through the Passport Seva System with a passport and a police/crime check.

After applying for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) GEP, you will need to apply for background verification through the Passport Seva System to obtain clearance at the Regional Passport Office of your choice. You can fill out the background verification form for GEP online on the Passport Seva Portal.

To submit my GEP application, do I have to visit PSK?

To submit your application, you will need to make an appointment and visit PSK.

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