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Introduction
Indian passports are generally issued for a period of 10 years. Once your passport nears its expiration date, you can apply for a renewal. You can apply for renewal up to one year before the expiry or within three years after the expiry of the existing passport.
The renewal application process is also completely online. Once you have filled the form and uploaded all the documents, you can fix an appointment on a convenient date for the personal interview at your nearest passport office.
If there are no changes in your address or your personal particulars, the passport renewal process is very simple and can be done without a fresh police verification. Also, if you submit all the relevant documents correctly, the passport renewal process will be done much faster.
How to renew my passport?
There are two ways to apply for your Passport Renewal;
1. Downloading the e-Form, which can be filled offline and uploaded later, or
2. Filling the application form online and submitting it directly online
Both these have to be done on the official Passport Portal. One has to first register on the ‘Passport Seva’ Portal using your email ID. Once you have registered, you can login and click on ‘Apply for Fresh Passport’ option to proceed further.
Then you can follow the below steps to proceed further:
Option 1: Downloading the e-Form, filling it offline and uploading it later
- Login to the Passport Portal
- Go to the ‘Forms and Affidavits’ menu on the homepage and click on ‘Download e-Form’ option. Then choose the ‘Fresh or reissue of Passport’ option.
- Fill the downloaded e-Form with all the correct details.
- After filling the form completely, click on the ‘Validate & Save’ button. An XML file is generated which you have to upload on the system later.
- Go to the ‘Upload e-Form’ option and upload the XML file. Make sure to upload the XML file and not a PDF form as it is not accepted by the system.
- Once the upload is complete, click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link to schedule an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
- Select the correct Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) location and select your PSK.
- 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 Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard & Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) and Associate Banks Only) or SBI Bank Challan.
- An Online Fee Calculator is available on the portal to calculate the fee for passport services
- Once the payment is also completed, you have to take a print out of the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number.
- 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 print out of the 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.
Option 2: Filling the form online and submitting it online
- Login to the Passport Portal and click on ‘Apply for Fresh Passport’ link.
- Fill all the correct information in the application form online.
- Once the upload is complete, click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link to schedule an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
- Select the correct Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) location and select your PSK.
- 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 Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard & Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) and Associate Banks Only) or SBI Bank Challan.
- An Online Fee Calculator is available on the portal to calculate the fee for passport services
- Once the payment is also completed, you have to take a print out of the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number.
- 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 print out 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.
What are the documents required to apply for passport renewal?
Documents for Renewal of Passport without any change in address:
- Old Passport in original
- Self-attested photocopy of first two and last two pages of your original passport
- Self-attested photocopy of the ECR/Non-ECR page
- Self-attested photocopy of any page with any kind of observation made by the Passport Issuing Authority
- Validity extension page, if any, in respect of Short Validity Passport
- Document proof for the relevant Non-ECR Category
Documents for Renewal of Passport with change in address:
- Old Passport in original
- Self-attested photocopy of first two and last two pages of your original passport
- Self-attested photocopy of the ECR/Non-ECR page
- Self-attested photocopy of any page with any kind of observation made by the Passport Issuing Authority
- Validity extension page, if any, in respect of Short Validity Passport
- Document proof for the new address
- Document proof for the relevant Non-ECR Category
What are passport renewal fees in India?
Adults – Rs.1500
Minors – Rs.1000
How can I track my passport renewal application status?
Once you have completed your personal interview at the designated Passport office, it will take about 10-30 days for your Passport to be approved and sent to you. Until then, you can track your application status online. Please follow the below steps to track your Passport Application Status:
- Once your Passport application has been submitted, you will be allotted a Passport File Number. Keep it handy.
- Visit the official Passport Seva portal.
- Go to the ‘Track Application Status’ option from the homepage.
- Here, you will have to select the application type as Passport/PCC/IC/GEP
- In the next field enter the Passport File Number
- Then enter your Date of Birth in the next field
- It will now pull up the details of your application status
- You can also register for regular SMS updates on your passport application.
- You will be sent a timely SMS at every stage of your Passport application process.
Is renewal of passport the same as re-issue of passport?
No, they are different. Renewal of passport is done when the validity of the passport has expired or is about to expire. One can apply for renewal up to 1 year before the expiry or within three years after the expiry of the existing passport. Renewal of passport also requires you to fill the online application form, fix an appointment at the Passport office and submit all the relevant documents.
Re-issue of Passport is done for various reasons, not just expiration of validity of your passport. Here are some reasons to apply for re-issue of passport:
- Exhaustion of Pages
- Lost/Stolen Passport
- Damaged Passport - Passport No. readable, Name legible and Photograph intact or Damaged beyond recognition
- Change in Existing Personal Particulars, which may include
- Change of Appearance
- Change of Signature
- Change of Name
- Change of Date of Birth
- Addition/Change of Spouse's Name
- Change of Address
- Deletion of ECR
- Change of Place of Birth
- Change of Sex
- Change of Parent's Name
Renewal of Passport FAQs
1. How long does it usually take to renew my passport?
Once you have submitted all the relevant documents, you can receive your renewed passport within 10 to 30 business days.
2. When should I renew my passport?
Indian passports are usually given with a 10-year validity. You can apply for renewal up to 1 year before the expiry or within three years after the expiry of the existing passport. After 3 years of expiry, it will be considered a fresh passport.
3. Should I go to an agent to renew my passport?
Not necessary. The new passport application process is completely online and very simple to understand for everyone. You can fill all the details online and fix the appointment online too. One can even safely make the passport fees payment online. So there is no need to go to any agent or middlemen to get your passport renewed.
4. What are the websites where I can apply for my passport renewal?
There is only one passport portal for all matters relating to Indian passports. It is the official Passport Seva portal. One should use only this portal to apply for a fresh passport or re-issue of passport. Do not use any other website and get scammed or cheated.
5. What is the difference between a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/ Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) and a Passport Office (PO)?
Passport Seva Kendras and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras are extended arms of Passport Offices and offer front-end facilities related to the issuing of passports. These centres cover duties like the issue of application for the issue/re-issue of passports and other facilities. Whereas, the Passport Offices (PO) have the power to issue passports, as well as to revoke and enforce and exert control over the PSK(s) under them. They perform all back-end functions needed for the processing of all passport applications. The POs perform various functions like printing, lamination, dispatch of Passports, liaison with MEA Headquarters, State /UT administration and police, PVR review, besides attending to establishment matters, legal cases, RTI cases and financial matters.
6. Can I request someone else to submit a passport application on my behalf?
No, that is not possible. As per the new rules, the applicant should be physically present at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at the designated date and time of appointment, with the print out of the application form along with all other original documents and self-attested photocopies of the same.
7. What are the checklists I need to be prepared with while applying for a passport renewal online?
You need to be a registered customer to apply online. When you submit online, you also have the option to download an e-Form that you can fill out and edit later. You don't need to be a registered person to submit the form, but you need to log yourself to upload the form. To apply for a passport online, please press "Home". You may also submit the documentation needed to apply for a passport. You should have a printed copy of your papers.
8. How will my passport be despatched?
The passport is delivered by India Post via the Speed Post to the current address of the applicant.
9. Do I have to be personally present to receive the passport from the postman, or could any of my family members collect it on my behalf?
It is advisable that the applicant collects the passport from the postman himself. In the event of the absence of the applicant, it is at the discretion of the postman to hand over the envelope to a family member of the applicant by verifying the ID of the applicant or by returning the passport to the issuing Regional Passport Office.