For the convenience of those interested readers, we outline the process to be followed while changing the address on an Indian passport in this blog.
Every Indian citizen must have a passport in order to travel outside of the country for a variety of objectives, including business plan, tourism, education, family visits, and other travel-related activities.
All of India’s legitimate citizens are given one by the Ministry of External Affairs. One of the main causes of the rise in demand for passports and the services associated with them is globalisation. As the holder’s permanent residence is listed, a passport may be used as identification both domestically and abroad. As a result, you must update your permanent address on your passport and any other official documents if you move into a new house.
At the specifically created portal Passport Seva, you may quickly alter the permanent address on your passport. Deliveries of passports and other associated services are its principal uses. It was developed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
How to update your address in an Indian passport
The address on your passport can be changed both offline and online.
Before beginning the procedures you must follow to update the address in your passport online, it is crucial to bear in mind that you must have a couple of your documents on hand for when you visit your Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). The list of necessary documents is provided in detail on the Passport Seva portal.
To apply for the passport to be issued again, a certain amount must be paid. The age of the applicant and the justification for the renewal, among other factors, affect it differently. By visiting the Passport Seva website, you may determine the precise cost of your application.
Online mode: Passport address change
- Go to Passport Seva and select the link for New User Registration.
- Completely fill out your information and choose the nearest passport office.
- After entering the CAPTCHA characters, click the Register button.
- Use your registered login ID to access the Passport Seva portal.
- On the applicant home page, click Apply for New Passport or Reissue of Passport.
- Choose the second entry on the list that includes the option to “Go here to fill out the application form online.”
- Add information now, such as the application type and passport booklet type.
- Choose the Next option.
- Choose the See Saved/Submitted Applications option at this point.
- To pay the re-issuance fee and make an appointment, click the Pay and Schedule Appointment page.
- Decide to pay online. It can be used to accept payments made by credit or debit card, as well as Internet banking. If you don’t have access to an online payment option, you can alternatively use the Challan Payment option.
- Press the Next button now.
- Choose a PSK site at this point, and then print the application receipt.
You must go to the Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office where the appointment was scheduled as soon as you have the receipt. Bring your original documents and the receipt from your application. If you can produce the SMS message you received on your phone after making the appointment online, you don’t need to bring the actual application receipt.
The government has made it necessary for applicants visiting a passport office to adhere to specific rules as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. They include utilizing the Aarogya Setu app on your phone, carrying a sanitizer, and donning a face mask. Throughout your visit, you’ll also need to adhere to social distance rules.
The applicant must go to the Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office after submitting the application and making an appointment. When the appointment is authorized, an SMS will be issued to you with proof of the appointment. Missing the appointment means that you would have to apply for it again, which might be a nuisance.
Offline mode
Step 1: Go to the Passport Seva Kendra, which is nearby.
Step 2: Get the application and thoroughly complete it. Rewriting and overwriting should be avoided since they may invalidate your application.
Step 3: Pay the appropriate price for a new passport and update your permanent address.
Step 4: Once your application is accepted, you will be given an appointment to pick up your new passport from the Passport Seva Kendra on a specific day and time.
Costs for address changes in Indian passports
The following list includes the applicable fees for changing your address on an Indian passport:
Age of the applicant | Passport validity | No. of pages | Normal charge | Tatkal charge |
Less than 15 years | 10 years or till the holder reaches 18 years of age | 36 | Rs. 1000 | Rs. 3000 |
15–18 years | 5 years or till the holder reaches 18 years of age | 36 | Rs. 1000 | Rs. 3000 |
15–18 years | 10 years | 36 | Rs. 1500 | Rs. 3500 |
15–18 years | 10 years | 60 | Rs. 2000 | Rs. 4000 |
18 years and above | 10 years | 36 | Rs. 1500 | Rs. 2000 |
18 years and above | 10 years | 60 | Rs. 2000 | Rs. 4000 |
The costs for each application method
The following table lists the applicable fees for each type of application:
Payment modes | Providers that are accepted | Applicable charges | ||
Credit cards
|
VISA/ MasterCard |
|
||
Internet banking | SBI and SBI Associate Banks | No charge | ||
Debit cards | VISA/ MasterCard | 1.5% + service tax | ||
SBI challan | The appropriate fee should be deposited at the nearest SBI branch after 3 hours of generating the challan and must not exceed 85 days to do so | No charge |
What are the documents required?
Certain documents are required to change your passport address. They are listed below:
- Original old passport
- Self-attested copies of the validity extension page, if any, in respect of a short-validity passport
- Copy of online application
- Self-attested copies of the passport’s first two and last two pages
- Issuing authority
- Self-attested copies of the page of observation, if any, made by passport
- Copy of challan or payment receipt
- Self-attested copy of the ECR/Non-ECR page
- New address proof—It could be anything from the following:
- Electricity bill
- Aadhar card
- Telephone bill
- Voter ID card
- Gas bill
- A registered rental agreement
- Water bill
- Income tax returns
- Photo passbook of an existing bank account. The bank can be either a scheduled private-sector Indian bank, a scheduled public-sector bank, or a regional rural bank only.
- Copy of spouse’s passport (first and last page including family details). The new address should match the address mentioned in the spouse’s passport.
- Certificate from the current employer on letterhead
- Passport copy of the applicant’s parents in case of minors (the first and the last page of the passport, including family details)
- Retired government officials: Pension payment orders must be submitted by a retired government official along with the documents listed above.
- For government body/public sector undertaking/statutory body:The applicant must submit a no objection certificate (NOC) or a prior intimation letter (PI) as mentioned in Annexure M and Annexure N, respectively, along with other documents listed above.
For minors: The minor applicants must submit a declaration affirming the particulars mentioned in their passport application as prescribed in Annexure H and the above documents.
Steps to track passport application status on the Passport Seva portal
Here are the steps involved in the process of checking the passport address change application status via the Passport Seva platform:
Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva platform.
Step 2: Select the “Track Application Status” button among the options mentioned on the right side of the home screen.
Step 3: When redirected, you need to select the type of passport for which you submitted your application.
Step 4: Now, enter the “File Number,” which is the unique 15-digit number associated with your application.
Step 5: Add your birth date and click on the “Track Status” button.
Step 6: You should be able to view the passport application status on your screen.
Steps to check passport status online via the mPassport Seva mobile app
mPassport Seva is a mobile app facility offered by the Government of India for passport-related services. You can use this app to check your online passport status as well. The following steps will help you track the status of your passport application using this method.
Step 1: Download the Android or iOS version of the mPassport Seva app based on the type of device you have.
Step 2: Complete the registration process by filling in the details like your name, birth date, and email address.
Step 3: You will find an option called “Status Tracker” on the app.
Step 4: Inside the status tracker, you can add your birth date as well as the File Number.
Step 5: The app will show you the status of the passport application.
Track passport application status via the National Call Centre
You can also know the status of your passport application by following these steps:
Step 1: Make a call to the National Call Centre using the contact number “1800-258-1800” (toll-free).
Step 2: You will be connected either to an executive or an automated interactive voice response.
Step 3: Provide your file number and ask about the status of your passport application.
Track passport application status via the helpdesk
Here is how you can use the offline helpdesk to know your passport application status.
Step 1: Visit the PSK or Passport Seva Kendra near your location.
Step 2: Look for the information counter.
Step 3: Ask about the status of your currently submitted passport application.
Note: You can also request the status of your application by sending an email to the PSK office.
How to check passport dispatch and delivery status
Apart from the application status, you can also track the dispatch and delivery status of your passport. The India Speed Post service delivers a passport to the correct recipient at the address mentioned on the respective application form. Using the official India Post website, you can conduct an online passport status check for dispatch and delivery. Here are the steps for the same.
Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva portal and collect your 13-digit tracking ID.
Step 2: Head to the official portal of “India Post.”
Step 3: Move to the section named “Track Consignment.”
Step 4: Fill in the tracking ID under “Consignment Number” and enter the code visible on your screen.
Step 5: Click on “Track Now” to check passport dispatch and delivery status.
If the search doesn’t retrieve any data, it means that the PSK is yet to dispatch your passport.
Conclusion
If there have been any address changes as a result of a move, it is crucial that you modify or amend the address listed in the passport. The address cannot be altered without issuing a new passport. To do this, you must submit a request for a new passport together with your most recent address information.
For any further queries, you can visit your nearest Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office.
We hope that the procedures detailed in this blog regarding how to change address in an Indian passport will be followed by those readers who wish to get their address updated in their passports.
FAQ
1. Reason for change of address in an Indian passport
If your residential address has changed or you are moving, you must update your passport. Update your address by applying for a new passport. Through this procedure, you will receive a new passport with your current address and a new identification number.
2. Is it mandatory to change the address on an Indian passport?
No, it is not mandatory to change the address on an Indian passport.
However, updating your passport can be used as proof of address. The address in your passport must be valid to show your real address when you use it as proof of identity, proof of address, or proof of date of birth while travelling. Otherwise, you can continue to use an older address in your passport and simply show the required address proof for verification and passport issuance when it’s time to renew your passport.
3. Is it allowed to change address in passport?
Yes, you can apply for a change of address in your passport with the relevant documents.
4. Do I need to submit my original passport when applying for a passport address change?
Yes, you will have to submit your original passport at the time of applying for a passport address change.
5. When should I change address in passport?
You should apply for an address change in your passport when you move to a new residential address.
6. How long does the passport address change process take?
The process of changingyour address in your passport may take around 3 to 4 weeks once you submit your application. However, you can opt for the tatkal service for a faster process by paying an additional amount of Rs. 2,000.
7. How to check passport status online in India
To check the passport status, you will require the following details:
- Date of birth (of the applicant)
- Unique 15-digit identification number issued upon submitting the passport application
Using the credentials, you can follow different ways to track passport application status online or offline, as mentioned below.
8. Can I collect my passport directly from the Regional Passport Office?
Generally, an applicant can’t collect their passport by directly visiting the Regional Passport Office. However, it is possible in an emergency. You will need to submit an application, which will include the reasons why you need to collect the passport personally. However, it is up to the passport office to decide whether they approve your request or not.
9. Does the passport tracking facility tell clear reasons for a passport being stuck?
Yes, the tracking status provided on the Passport Seva platform contains clear information regarding your passport being stuck. Moreover, the status also recommends possible actions to get the passport dispatched faster.
10. How many ways are there to check passport status online in India?
There are two major online modes to track passport application status in India: the Passport Seva website and the mPassport mobile application.
11. Where can I find the dispatch status of my passport?
You can visit the India Post website to track the dispatch and delivery status of your passport using a 13-digit tracking number provided at the Passport Seva online portal.
12. Does the National Call Centre offer 24/7 accessibility to track passport status?
Yes, there are executives and an automated interactive response facility available at the National Call Centre. Hence, you can call at any time to track the status of your passport application.