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How to apply for a passport in India

By Ganesh · 6 May 2024

Step-by-step guide to getting a passport in India on the official Passport Seva portal: documents, approximate fees, Normal vs Tatkaal, renewal (re-issue), police verification and when to apply.

The short answer: to get a passport in India, register on the official Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in) or the mPassport Seva app, fill in the application, pay the fee online, book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK, and visit with your original documents. After police verification the passport is sent to you by Speed Post. A normal passport usually arrives within a few weeks; Tatkaal is faster for a higher fee. Renewals ("re-issue") follow the same steps.

Updated for 2026. Fees, document lists and timelines are set by the Ministry of External Affairs and change from time to time. Always confirm on passportindia.gov.in before applying. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Step by step: how to apply for a passport online

1. Register on passportindia.gov.in (or the mPassport Seva app) with your email and choose the Regional Passport Office for your address.
2. Fill in the form online: "Fresh" for a first passport, "Re-issue" for renewal, change of details or a lost or damaged passport. Choose Normal or Tatkaal and the number of pages.
3. Pay the fee and book an appointment online at a PSK or POPSK near you. Slots open regularly; if none are free, check again at the times the portal releases new slots.
4. Visit the PSK at your appointment time with the printed (or digital) appointment receipt and original documents plus self-attested photocopies. Your photo and fingerprints are taken there.
5. Police verification follows (before or after issue, depending on your case). Keep your phone reachable; you may be called to a police station or visited at home.
6. Track and receive the passport by Speed Post at your address. Track the status on the portal with your file number.

Only use the official portal or app. Many look-alike websites charge extra "service fees" for the same free online form.

Documents you usually need

• Proof of present address: for example Aadhaar, a recent utility bill, bank passbook with photo, rent agreement, or a spouse's passport.
• Proof of date of birth: for example a birth certificate, PAN card, school leaving certificate or Aadhaar. For people born on or after 1 October 2023, a birth certificate issued by the registrar is required as proof of date of birth.
• For re-issue: your old passport (and a police report for a lost passport).
• For minors: both parents' passports or IDs, and their consent (Annexure forms in some cases).

Use the document advisor on the portal to see the exact list for your situation before you book.

Passport fees in India (approximate)

Check the fee calculator on passportindia.gov.in for the current amount; there may be extra charges for lost or damaged passports.

Normal vs Tatkaal

• Normal: lower fee; police verification is usually done before the passport is printed. Delivery typically takes a few weeks, depending on your city and the police verification.
• Tatkaal: higher fee for urgent cases; the passport is often printed within a few working days of the appointment, with police verification sometimes done afterwards. Tatkaal appointments are limited and go quickly.

Tatkaal makes sense if you have a trip or a visa appointment coming up soon. If your travel is months away, Normal is usually fast enough.

Passport renewal

Apply for re-issue when your passport is within a year of expiry, has run out of pages, or has already expired. The process is the same as above; take your old passport to the appointment. Many countries require at least six months' validity from your travel date, so renew early if you have a trip coming up.

e-Passports

India has started issuing chip-based e-passports, which are being rolled out across passport offices. You do not need to apply separately. Check the portal for whether your PSK issues them.

When to apply

Searches for passports peak in June–July and again in November, ahead of the summer and year-end travel seasons. Appointments get harder to find then. Apply at least two to three months before you plan to book international travel or a visa appointment.

Practical tips

• Make sure your name, date of birth and address match exactly across your documents; mismatches cause most delays.
• Arrive at the PSK 15–30 minutes before your slot, not earlier; queues are managed by time.
• Carry originals and one set of self-attested copies of everything you uploaded.
• Keep the file number; you need it to track your application and talk to the helpline.
• Once you have your passport, keep scanned copies safe, and store your trip documents together in one place before you fly.

Plan your first trip on Sancharees

Once the passport arrives, plan your first international trip on Sancharees: add stops, keep flight, visa and hotel bookings with each day, and share the plan with family.

FAQ

How long does it take to get a passport in India?

Normal passports usually take a few weeks after the appointment, depending largely on police verification. Tatkaal passports are often printed within a few working days.

Can I apply for a passport without an appointment?

No, you need an online appointment at a PSK or POPSK. Some offices have special arrangements for senior citizens and minors; check the portal.

Is Aadhaar enough for a passport?

Aadhaar is commonly accepted as proof of address and, for most adults, of date of birth. Check the document advisor for your case. People born on or after 1 October 2023 need a birth certificate.

Where do I check my passport status?

On passportindia.gov.in or the mPassport Seva app, using your file number and date of birth.

Photo: Indian Passport 01 by Gpkp, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Read in: पासपोर्ट कैसे बनवाएं: ऑनलाइन आवेदन, तत्काल, रिन्यूअल और फ़ीस