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Passport For Minors: Eligibility, Documents Required And How To Apply?

Team AckoDec 9, 2024

Are you planning to travel overseas with your kids? If yes, then along with your passport, you will also need a valid Indian passport for your kids. People under 18 years of age are minors, and having a passport for minors is now mandatory.

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Contents

What is a Passport for Minors?
Who Can Apply Passport For Minors?
How to Apply for a Minor Passport in India
Documents Required For Minor Passport In India
Additional Points To Note
Eligibility For Minor Passport In India
Passport Validity for Minors
Fees Structure for Minor Passport
Payment Modes for Minor Passports
Processing Time for Minor Passport in India
How To Renew A Minor Passport Online In India?
Protecting your Minor Passport
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When applying for a passport for kids, the procedure and documentation differ slightly from adults. Earlier, an endorsement of a kid's name on their father's passport was permissible to travel abroad. However, passports are now issued to minors based on the application given by their parents or legal guardian along with the required documents. Here is an inclusive guide on how to apply for a Minor Passport in India.

What is a Passport for Minors?

A passport for minors is an official travel document issued to children under 18 years old, allowing them to travel internationally. It serves as proof of identity and nationality. A minor passport should be applied for by the child's parent or legal guardian. The validity of a minor passport is for 5 years or until the minor attains the age of 18, whichever is earlier.

Who Can Apply Passport For Minors?

If you are a parent or legal guardian, you are the only one who can apply for a minor's passport. This is because children (people under 18 years old) need permission and proof from an adult to make sure their trip is safe and legal.

How to Apply for a Minor Passport in India

To apply for a minor’s passport, follow these steps:

Register the minor on the Passport Seva website.
Create a login ID and password for the account.
Log in and complete the application form with the required details.
Submit the application form, then proceed to make the payment once it's successfully submitted.

Documents Required For Minor Passport In India

If you are planning to get a child's passport, the procedure and documentation differ slightly from those for adults. Here are some valid kids passport documents you can use when applying for a minor passport in India:

Minor's birth certificate
Proof of address of the parents
Parents' passport copies
Passport-size photos
Proof of the parent's current marital status
Annexes "D" (for both parents or guardians) and "C" (for minors ages 15 to 18)
Adoption papers with the original photo of the child attested by the court (in case the child is adopted)
Any other document required by the passport in charge

Additional Points To Note

As parents, when applying for a passport for kids, always attach a copy of your valid passport. Make sure the name of your spouse is endorsed on your passport.

For a passport without the endorsement of a spouse, parents will have to apply for a fresh passport with the required endorsement.

If one of the parents is living aboard, the signature of such a parent is required for the application. If you cannot get the signature, you can submit Annexure D along with the application.

Eligibility For Minor Passport In India

The eligibility for a minor passport in India is decided based on the following criteria.

Minors between 15 and 18 years of age who want a passport for ten years.
Minors from Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland.
Separated parents, not legally divorced.
Parent divorced or living abroad.
Passport applied by legal guardians.
Parents with passports having their spouse's name on them.
Passport applied by one parent without the consent of the other.
Single parents applied for a passport.
Adopted children and children born through surrogacy.
Students living away from their parent's current home.
Students live away from their parents and do not give consent to apply.

*Note: Minors aged 15 to 18 can apply for a full-validity passport (10 years) by paying the fees applicable for applicants over 18.

Passport Validity for Minors

Typically, any passport issued by the government of India is valid for a period of 10 years. For minors, a passport is valid for 5 years or until they turn 18, whichever comes first. However, minors aged 15 to 18 can choose either a 10-year passport or one valid until they turn 18.

Fees Structure for Minor Passport

Passport fees for minors vary based on your chosen scheme. Moreover, it will vary based on the minor's age and the required passport validity. Here's a simplified table for minor passport fees in India:

Type	Age Group	Pages	Fee (INR)
Normal Passport	Under 15 years	36 pages	1,000
Tatkal Passport	Under 15 years	36 pages	3,000
Normal Passport	15-18 years	36 pages	1,500
Normal Passport	15-18 years	60 pages	2,000
Tatkal Passport	15-18 years	36 pages	3,500
Tatkal Passport	15-18 years	60 pages	4,000

Payment Modes for Minor Passports

Listed below are the applicable payment modes.

The PSK uses the SBI payment portal for passport payments.
For the Tatkaal passport, you must pay the regular fee through SBI and the remaining cash at the PSK.
Click View Saved/Submitted Applications and choose your payment modes.
The payment modes include credit/debit cards, internet banking, and SBI bank challan/wallet payment.

Apart from SBI Bank Challan and SBI Internet Banking, all other modes will have a 1.5%+ service tax applicable when making the payment.

Processing Time for Minor Passport in India

The processing time after successfully applying for it may vary based on certain factors. The parents or legal guardians will receive an affirmation receipt or notification after applying for a minor's passport. Usually, the passport will be dispatched to the mentioned address within 4-7 working days after you receive the notification receipt. You also have a passport-tracking facility on the PSK website to track your passport application for minors.

How To Renew A Minor Passport Online In India?

To renew a minor's passport in India, simply follow the below steps:

Step 1: Use the Passport Seva Online Portal to sign up. Click on the "Register Now" link
Step 2: Use the password you created to log in to the Passport Seva online portal
Step 3: Click on "Re-issue of Passport."
Step 4: Fill out the form with the necessary information and send it
Step 5: Next, go to the "View Saved/Submitted Applications" screen and click on the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link

To make an appointment at any PSK, POPSK, or PO, you must now pay online

You can pay online in any of the following ways:

Credit or debit card (Visa and MasterCard)
Banks other than the State Bank of India (SBI) that offer internet banking
Challan for SBI Bank

Step 6: To print the application receipt with the Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number, click the "Print Application Receipt" link

Note: You no longer need to carry a copy of your Application Receipt. You can also bring an SMS with your appointment information with you to the Passport Office as proof that you have an appointment

Step 7: Come to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO) where you have an appointment and bring the original papers with you

Protecting your Minor Passport

The passport is a valuable document. It is proof of citizenship and identity overseas. It would be best to keep the passport safe and protected by storing it securely. If the minor's passport is lost or stolen, it can be used for criminal purposes or to steal the minor's identity. To keep the passport protected, follow these steps.

Always know where you stored it.
Keep it dry.
Do not let anyone use it.
Never alter it for any purpose.
Keep a photocopy of the minor's passport page.
Note the passport number and expiry date.

If you lose a passport, immediately report it to the Passport Office or the nearest police station. They will guide you through obtaining a replacement or reissue of the passport.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s a list of common questions and answers related to passports for minors.

What is the validity of a minor's passport in India?

Five years is the valid duration of a minor's passport or until they are 18 years old. However, minors between 15-18 years old can apply for a passport with a validity of 10 years or until they are 18 years old.

Is it mandatory for both parents to have a passport to apply for the minor child's passport?

It is ideal if at least one of the parents has a valid passport with their spouse's name; however, it is not mandatory.

Does the passport application of a minor require the consent of both parents?

Yes, both parents should be present at the PSK while applying for a minor's passport, or one of the parents with both parents' passports should be available. They should submit Annexure D with their signatures.

If only one of the parents is available to give consent, what should be done to apply for a minor's passport?

Annexure D should be submitted by the legal guardian while applying for the minor's passport if both parents are unavailable.

If both parents are not available, the legal guardian should submit Annexure D when applying for the minor's passport.

If one of the parents is deceased, the death certificate of the deceased parent should be submitted along with Annexure D.

If the consent of one parent cannot be obtained, Annexure C must be presented along with Annexure D.

Should passport-size photographs of the child be carried when applying for a minor's passport?

Recent passport-size colour photographs of children below four years of age should be carried, and they should meet the requirements mentioned on the Passport Seva Kendra website. For children over four years old, the officials will take a photograph at the passport office.

Do babies (0-1 year) require a passport separate from their parents?

According to the revised guidelines, baby names cannot be included in the parents' passports. Irrespective of their age, a fresh passport should also be applied for babies.

How to apply for minor passport online?

Visit the Passport Seva Kendra website and register your child. Log in to the account using your credentials. Now you can go to your account and fill out the application for a passport for the minor. After submitting this form, make the payment online.

What is the minimum age for a minor passport in India?

Children aged 15 to 18 can choose between a minor passport, valid until they turn 18, or a full-validity passport with a 10-year validity. The fees vary depending on the chosen validity.

Is a passport required for a child under 5 years old?

Yes, children under the age of 5 also need a passport to travel internationally.

Can parents apply for a passport for a newborn child?

Yes, parents can apply for a passport for their newborn child.

Do both parents need to be present for a child's passport in India?

It's good if both parents can be present at the PSK while applying for their child’s passport, or else one parent with the passport of both parents or at least one passport with the spouse's name will also work.

Is police verification needed for minors while applying for a passport?

Generally, for minors with 5 years of passport validity, no police verification is required until the applicant's parents hold a valid Indian passport. However, if the passport is issued with a 10-year validity, it will require police clearance.

Is the Aadhaar card mandatory for a child's passport?

No, an Aadhaar card is not mandatory for a child's passport. However, it is a valid document if you choose to provide it.

Can a mother in India get a passport for her child without the father's permission?

Yes, a mother can apply for a minor’s passport without their father's consent. In this event, the documents needed for the passport are address proof, a birth certificate, an attested photocopy of both parents' passports and a declaration letter.

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.