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Documents Required for an Indian Passport

Team AckoDec 10, 2024

A passport is not just a document to carry while travelling; it holds a lot of importance. First, it acts as identity proof, which enables you to travel overseas. Second, in India, passports serve as highly credible documents and can be used for various purposes. For instance, they can be used to open a bank account, get a mobile phone SIM card, check in at hotels, and even apply for other official documents that require proof of identity.

This article lists all the documents required to apply for a passport in India, which are mandatory by the government of India. It also outlines the scenarios in which you might need to apply for a passport and the required documents for each. Take a look!

passport-documents

Contents

List of essential documents required for Indian Passport

Below are the documents required for Indian Passport

Voter ID card

A voter ID card is an identity card issued by the government of India that states eligibility to vote in elections

Aadhaar card

A unique 12-digit identification number issued by the government of India serves as proof of identity for various purposes, including when applying for a passport.

PAN card

A 10-digit unique identification number issued by the income tax department is a legal identity for various purposes.

Driving licence

An official document issued by the government that authorizes to drive various types of vehicles on roads

Birth certificate

An official government document records a person's date of birth, name, parent's name, and place of birth.

Ration card

A document issued by the state government which allows people to purchase subsidized food grains

10th standard marks card

A document issued by school that tells your performance in 10th class, it's a multifunctional document that serves various purposes

Bank passbook photo

A bank passbook photo is a bank passbook photograph that has the account holder's photograph on it.

School leaving certificate

A document issued by the school which certifies successful completion of your education.

Documents required to apply for a new passport

Getting a new passport is relatively easy with the following document list. However, it’s important to note that the documents required for a new passport vary on a case-by-case basis, but these are the usual documents that are required:

1. Address Proof

You need to submit proof of address. It is one of the mandatory passport documents required for an Indian passport. You will need to submit a copy of any one of the following documents.

Voter ID card
Aadhaar card/E-Aadhaar
Electricity bill
Telephone bill
Water bill
Gas connection bill
Bank account statement
Income Tax Assessment Order
Rent Agreement

2. Proof of Date of Birth

You need to submit proof of date of birth with the application. It is another critical passport document. You will need to submit a copy of any one of the following.

Birth certificate
School leaving certificate
Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar
PAN card
Driving license
Voter ID

3. Photo ID proof

You will also need to submit proof of ID with the application. For this, you will need to submit a copy of any one of the following.

Ration Card
Aadhaar card/E-Aadhaar
PAN card
Driving license
Voter ID

4. Passport-size photographs

You will need to provide at least two recent passport-size photographs with a white background.

5. Previous passport

If you have an old passport, you need to submit it along with your application form.

6. Other passport documents

Additionally, other passport documents may be required for an Indian passport, depending on your specific situation. It is recommended to check the passport application guidelines on the official website of the Indian Passport Seva to ensure you have all of them.

Which documents are needed for a passport appointment?

Identity Proof
Address Proof
Date of birth certificate
Photographs
Declaration form
Any other additional documents (If anything is required)

The documents required for a passport appointment are the same as those mentioned in the above new passport documents section.

Documents required for an Indian passport for a minor

In India, a minor is a person who is under the age of 18 years. Indian passports issued to minors either have a 5-year validity or are valid up to the age of 18. Typically, documents for applying for a minor’s passport include the following.

Birth certificate of the minor
Proof of parents' citizenship
Proof of address
A recent passport-size photograph of the minor
Annexure 'D' (for both parents/guardians) and Annexure 'C' (for minors between 15 to 18 years of age)
If adopted, a statement on plain paper confirming the adoption
At least two school documents issued in the minors name
Any other document specified by the passport office

It is important to note that both parents or legal guardians of the minor need to be present during the passport application process, and their consent is required to issue the passport. In the event that one parent is not available, a notarized affidavit from the absent parent can be submitted along with the application. Also, the minor applicant's current proof of address should be submitted in the parents' name. If the parents have passports, bringing originals and self-tested copies of the passports to the PSK is recommended.

Documents required for re-issue of passport

There are various reasons why someone might need to get a new passport (re-issue). Some of the main reasons are as follows.

Change of address of the passport holder
Exhaustion of pages in the passport booklet
The validity of the passport is due to expire
Validity has expired
Renewal of Short Validity Passport (SVP)
The passport has been lost/stolen
Passport got damaged
Change any existing personal particulars like name, etc.

Here is the list of documents required for an Indian passport re-issue for all the above-mentioned scenarios:

Old Passport: The applicant needs to submit the original old passport with the application. The old passport must be surrendered if it is damaged, expired, or has less than one year of validity remaining. Along with the passport, the applicant also has to submit a self-attested copy of the first and last two pages of the passport. Also include the ECR/Non-ECR page and the observation page (if any). If your passport is valid for a short period, remember to bring the extension page as well.
Stolen Passport: If your passport is lost or stolen, you must have an affidavit (Annexure "F") that says how and where the passport was lost or damaged, as well as the original police report.
Proof of Address: Documents such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Utility Bill (electricity, water, gas), Telephone Bill, Bank Account Statement, Rent Agreement, or Letter from the Employer are needed.
Proof of Date of Birth: The applicant needs to submit any one of the following documents as proof of date of birth: Birth Certificate, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, School Leaving Certificate or Transfer Certificate.
Photographs: You need to submit two recent passport-size photographs. The photographs should have a white background and should not be older than 6 months.
Other documents: Depending on the reason for re-issuing, the applicant may have to submit a few additional documents.

Documents required for minors for re-issue of passport

Here is the list of documents required for minors to re-issue their passports in India.

Old Passport: The applicant needs to submit the original old passport with the application. Parents should also carry their original passports and self-attested copies.
Self-attested copies: The applicant also needs to submit a copy of the first and last two pages of the self-attested passport. Remember to include the validity extension page, ECR/Non-ECR page, and the observation page (if any). For minor applicants, parents can also attest to the copies.
Proof of Address: Acceptable documents for address include Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Utility Bill (electricity, water, gas), Telephone Bill, Bank Account Statement, Rent Agreement, or Letter from Employer are needed.
Other documents: The list of documents required for reissuing a minor passport varies a little depending on the reason for reissue. Thus, depending on the reason for re-issuing your passport, the applicant will have to submit a few additional documents.

Essential Documents required for passport renewal

The original, old passport.
Self-attested copies of the first two and last two pages of the passport.
A self-attested copy of the Emigration Check Required (ECR)/Non-ECR page.
A self-attested copy of any observation page, if made by the Passport Issuing Authority
A self-attested copy of the validity extension page, if applicable, especially in the case of Short Validity Passports (SVP).
Documents proving the resolution of issues that led to the issuance of a Short Validity Passport (SVP), if applicable.

The exact documents required for passport renewal may vary depending on whether the passport being renewed is a regular or tatkal passport and also on the applicant's age (whether they are a child or an adult). However, the generally required documents include:

Documents required for Tatkaal Passport

To apply for a Tatkaal passport in India, you will need to provide the following documents.

Proof of age (Birth Certificate, School Leaving Certificate, etc.).
Proof of address (Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, Electricity bill, etc.).
Proof of nationality (Birth Certificate, Voter ID card, etc.).
Self-attested copies of the first two and last two pages of your old passport (if any).
Annexure E (declaration of citizenship, family details and no criminal record).
Two passport-sized photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) with a white background.
Payment of the Tatkaal fee (which is higher than the normal fee).

In addition to the above passport documents, to apply for a passport under the Tatkal scheme you will need to provide any additional documents. Those over the age of 18 will need to submit any three of the documents specified in the List of Acceptable Documents. The list of acceptable documents by the passport authority of India includes the following.

Aadhaar card
PAN Card
Student Photo Identity Card from a Recognised Educational Institution
Birth Certificate issued by a government body
Ration Card
Last Issued Passport (if applicable)
Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
Valid Driving Licence
Updated Bank Passbook, Post Office Passbook or Kisan Passbook
Pension Documents
Service Photo Identity Card from State or Central Government or a Public Sector Undertaking

The documents required for a passport may vary depending on the specific case.

Documents required for availing Diplomatic/Official passport

The following documents are required to obtain a Diplomatic/Official passport in India:

Applicant's official identity card is required for application submission.
A certificate from the head of office is needed. The format can be downloaded from the official passport website.
An official request letter from the forwarding officer is required. The format for the same is available on the passport seva portal.
If applicable, the applicant needs to submit a political/PMO clearance certificate.
For an existing passport or re-issue of diplomatic passport, the applicant needs to submit the original diplomatic/official passport for cancellation, the original surrender or original Surrender/Safe, or the original cancellation certificate.
In case the official is close to retiring (less than 6 months) from the passport application date, the applicant needs to bring an official undertaking from the office.

How to apply for a passport?

To apply for an Indian passport, you need to follow the following steps:

Go to the official website of PSK (Passport Seva Kendra).
If you are new, create an account.
If you already have an account, log in using your credentials.
Choose the appropriate application type (fresh passport, renewal application, minor).
Fill out the application with accurate information.
Scan the documents like the PAN card, the Aadhar card, and other required documents. Upload them carefully.
Pay the application fee through a SBI bank challan or credit/debit card.
Book an appointment at the nearest PSK of your choice.
Print the application form and carry it with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of common questions and answers related to the documents required for an Indian passport.

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, a proof-of-age document is needed in most cases when applying for a Tatkaal passport.

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

Yes, submission of the old passport is needed in most cases while 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 own passports. This means that each minor must now have their own separate passport

How can I change my passport's surname if I recently got married or divorced?

If you recently got married or divorced and need to change your surname on your passport, you have to apply for a "Re-issue of Passport '. Typically, you will need your current passport, your original marriage certificate or court decree for divorce (as applicable), and a passport photo that meets the official requirements.

My passport expired 5 years ago. What is the procedure for getting it reissued?

If your passport has already expired, you can get it reissued by filling out the passport application form under the "Re-issue of Passport '' category on the Passport Seva Portal. Since your passport expired more than three years ago, a new police verification process will be initiated.

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

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

Is only an Aadhaar card enough for a passport?

An Aadhar card is an important document; however, it cannot be the sole piece of paper. You need other documents, like a voter ID, an electricity bill, a gas bill, a water bill and others, to submit while applying for a passport.

What documents can be considered as proof of identity in India?

Proof of identity can be shown with a PAN card, an Aadhar card, a driver's licence, a voter ID, an income certificate, a ration card, or any other document issued by the government.

Can we provide the 10th-grade mark sheet as proof of birth?

Yes, a 10th- grade mark sheet can be provided as proof of birth.

Is a PAN card mandatory for a passport?

A PAN card is not mandatory, but it can serve as valid ID proof while applying for a passport, along with other documents like an Aadhar card, a driving license and a voter ID.

What documents can be used as proof of birth?

You can provide a 10th-grade mark sheet, a birth certificate issued by the municipal authority, an SSLC certificate and a school leaving certificate.

Is a marriage certificate required for a passport?

In some cases, the passport officers may ask for proof of marriage.

Is the Aadhaar card mandatory for a passport?

An Aadhar card is an important document and is required while applying for a new passport or re-issue of a passport. However, it is not mandatory.

How much ID proof is required for a passport?

Typically, one valid government-issued photo ID, address proof, birth proof, or passport-size photo is required for a passport.

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