To renew an Indian passport, you apply for what the government calls a “re-issue” through the Passport Seva Portal, pay the fee online, book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra, and collect the new booklet by Speed Post. Normal service takes about 30 working days; Tatkaal (urgent) service dispatches the passport in one to three working days. Adult passports are valid for 10 years; minors’ passports last five years or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first.1Passport Seva. Passport Seva – Frequently Asked Questions Here is what you need to know before you start, and what to expect at each stage.
When You Can Apply
You qualify for re-issue if your passport is due to expire within one year, has already expired (whether recently or years ago), has run out of visa pages, is damaged or lost, or carries personal details that need updating — name, address, or spouse’s name.1Passport Seva. Passport Seva – Frequently Asked Questions If your passport expired more than three years ago, the application still goes through the re-issue route, but expect a fresh police verification before the new booklet is granted.
One reason people renew even when the passport hasn’t expired: to change ECR status. Every Indian passport carries either an “Emigration Check Required” (ECR) or Non-ECR designation. ECR passport holders traveling to any of the 18 countries under India’s Emigration Act — including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait — must get clearance from a Protector of Emigrants before departing for employment. You qualify for Non-ECR status if you’ve completed education beyond class 10, are a government employee or dependent, are a minor or over 50, are an income tax payer, or have worked abroad for more than three years in aggregate.2Embassy of India, Riyadh. FAQs on ECR and Non-ECR Provide the right supporting document at renewal to get the correct designation on the new booklet.
Documents to Gather
Sort your paperwork before starting the online form. Mismatches between what you enter online and what your documents show are one of the most common reasons applications stall.
For a Straightforward Renewal
You need your original current or expired passport plus self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages, along with any observation or endorsement pages. You also need proof of present address: Aadhaar card, utility bill, bank statement, voter ID, or a similar government-issued document works.3Passport Seva. Document Required for Re-issue of Passport
Name or Spouse Changes
For a name change after marriage, submit a marriage certificate or a joint declaration signed by both spouses (Annexure J). For a name change after divorce, provide the divorce order or decree. To delete a spouse’s name, submit the divorce decree. If you’ve remarried, you’ll need both the divorce decree (or death certificate of the previous spouse) and a new marriage certificate or Annexure J.3Passport Seva. Document Required for Re-issue of Passport A name change unrelated to marriage generally requires a gazette notification and a sworn affidavit.
Minors
Children under 18 need consent from both parents through Annexure D, a declaration where each parent provides identification. A passport is the preferred ID; Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card, or driving licence also works.4Passport Seva. Annexure D – Specimen Declaration by Applicant’s Parent or Guardian for Issue of Passport to Minor Where only one parent is available due to divorce, separation, or death, Annexure C or Appendix 12 may apply.5Passport Seva. Annexures/Affidavits
Lost or Damaged Passports
File a First Information Report (FIR) at a police station and submit Annexure F, a declaration explaining how and when the passport was lost or damaged, whether you traveled on it, and whether any previous passports were also lost.6Passport Seva. Annexure F – Specimen Declaration of Applicant for Obtaining a Passport in Lieu of Lost/Damaged Passport Lost passport cases carry a mandatory police verification, which adds time.
Filing the Online Application
Go to the Passport Seva Portal at passportindia.gov.in or download the Passport Seva app, which supports registration, submission, payment, and appointment booking.7Passport Seva. Passport Seva App
Register a new account (or log in), then choose “Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport” and select “Re-issue of Passport” as the application type.8Passport Seva. Filling Passport Application Form Online The form collects your personal details, family information, previous passport number and issue date, emergency contact, and present and permanent addresses. Check every field against your documents before submitting.
Next comes payment. You can pay with a credit or debit card (Mastercard, Visa, RuPay), through internet banking with SBI or other participating banks, or by UPI.9Passport Seva. How to Apply Once payment clears, book a date and time slot at a Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office near you. Print the application receipt; you’ll need it to enter the building.
Fees
- 36-page booklet, normal service: ₹1,500
- 60-page booklet, normal service: ₹2,000
- 36-page booklet, Tatkaal: ₹3,500 (₹1,500 application fee plus ₹2,000 Tatkaal fee)
- 60-page booklet, Tatkaal: ₹4,000 (₹2,000 application fee plus ₹2,000 Tatkaal fee)
The Tatkaal fee is always an extra ₹2,000 on top of the standard application fee.10Passport Seva. Fee Structure You can pay during the online application or at the PSK on the day of your appointment.
At the Passport Seva Kendra
The PSK visit typically takes two to three hours. After security screening, you collect a token, and the token number controls your movement through three counters.11Passport Seva. Steps to Submit an Application at Passport Seva Kendra
At the first counter, an executive scans your documents, takes your photograph and fingerprints, and collects the fee if you didn’t pay online. You’ll sign a printout of your details. At the second counter, a Verification Officer inspects your original documents. At the third, a Granting Officer reviews the file and decides whether to grant the passport. On the way out, collect the acknowledgement letter with your file number.11Passport Seva. Steps to Submit an Application at Passport Seva Kendra
Bring the printed receipt, all original documents, and self-attested photocopies. If you show up without originals, the Verification Officer can’t complete the check and you’ll likely need to reschedule.
Police Verification
Police verification is where most delays happen, so it’s worth understanding. The Passport Office decides whether your case needs pre-issuance or post-issuance verification. In most renewals, a pre-issuance visit is required: a police officer calls at the address on your application before the new passport is printed.12Passport Seva. Police Verification
Some applicants can skip or defer this step:
- Government and public sector employees can avoid verification altogether with an Identity Certificate (Annexure A), or shift it to after issuance with a No Objection Certificate (Annexure G).
- Minors generally don’t need verification if both parents hold valid passports, each parent’s name appears in the other’s passport, and Annexure D is filed with both consents.
- Tatkaal applicants always have verification conducted after issuance, which is what makes the scheme faster.
You’ll need to list every address you’ve lived at in the past year, since police may verify at each one. Residents of Jammu and Kashmir face verification at both present and permanent addresses. If a report comes back adverse, contact the Passport Office to find out why; re-verification can be requested, and the file moves forward once a clear report is received.12Passport Seva. Police Verification
Processing Time, Delivery, and Tracking
Normal applications take roughly 30 working days from the date of application, though pending or queried police reports can stretch that. The printed passport is dispatched to your application address via India Post Speed Post.13Passport Seva. Postal Dispatch and Tracking Use an address where someone can accept delivery; a missed attempt can cost days.
To check progress, use the “Track Application Status” page on the Passport Seva Portal. You’ll need the file number from your acknowledgement letter and your date of birth.14Passport Seva. Track Application Status Once dispatched, the Speed Post consignment number lets you track the parcel on the India Post website.
Tatkaal: Urgent Renewal
The Tatkaal scheme dispatches the new passport within one to three working days of your PSK visit, with police verification happening afterward instead of before.15Passport Seva. FAQ – Tatkaal Passports Most applicants qualify, but some categories cannot use Tatkaal: minors applying under Annexure C (parents divorced or separated), applicants of Naga or Jammu and Kashmir origin, and children born through surrogacy or out of wedlock to a single parent.16Passport Seva. Documents Required for Tatkaal Application
Renewing From Abroad
If you live outside India, you don’t use the Passport Seva Kendra system. Applications go through Indian embassies, consulates, or designated VFS Global centres. Fill out the online form on the GPSP Version 2.0 portal, upload an ICAO-compliant photograph, your scanned signature, and supporting documents, then submit the physical application to the nearest VFS centre.17Embassy of India, Washington DC. Passport Services Timelines vary by mission and generally run longer than domestic renewals, and Tatkaal availability depends on the consulate. Confirm jurisdiction-specific timelines and document requirements with your local Indian mission before you start.