Indian Passport Renewal Process
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Indian Passport Renewal Process

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An individual must have a passport in order to travel to other nations. For the convenience of interested readers, we provide a review of the passport renewal procedure in this blog.

A valid passport is a need to have, whether travelling alone, with family, or even for work or medical reasons.

Entry into any country is not always guaranteed by a passport. To travel outside of your home nation, nevertheless, is necessary.

Furthermore, a passport is useful for more than simply travel when one wants to provide identification, proof of age, or evidence of address.

Passport Overview

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Indian Government issues passports as a necessary travel document for nationals travelling abroad. It also serves as proof of your identification and Indian citizenship and is a crucial document.

The Passport Seva Unit processes and issues all passport applications in India. There are 197 Indian diplomatic posts overseas and about 93 passport offices spread around India. For all sorts of passport applications in India, the applicant must personally appear.

Regardless of the trip you may be planning, getting a new passport or renewing an old one can be time-consuming, difficult, and boring.

Types of Passport

The Indian government offers three different types of passports:

Ordinary passport: An ordinary passport is given out for regular travel, which might include vacations, work travels, and educational excursions. It has 36/60 pages, is navy blue in colour, and is valid for 10 years. The passport validity for minors is limited to 5 years, or until they turn 18, whichever comes first.

Diplomatic passport: Indian diplomats, members of parliament, and other high-ranking government officials with diplomatic status who are travelling on official business for the Indian Government are all awarded diplomatic passports. Depending on the official’s title and the nature of the visit, the maroon passport has a validity of 5 years or fewer. It is a diplomat-style “Type D.”

Official passport: Issued to those travelling overseas for official business or visits as representatives of the Indian Government. Depending on the official’s title and the nature of the visit, the white passport has a validity of 5 years or less. This passport is a “type S,” which stands for service.

For the immigration and customs officers of the destination country to be aware that the holder is entering on official business, diplomatic and official passports serve this purpose.

Emergency certificate (EC): When a person’s current passport booklet cannot be used because it has been damaged, stolen, lost, or expired, an emergency travel document is produced. In such cases, the EC grants Indians entry permission.

Passport Processing Time

The processing period for a typical application can last 8 to 11 weeks. Passports issued through the tatkal system must be delivered precisely within 3 business days. If more information is required or your application needs to be corrected, it can take longer.

Tip: Make sure all the necessary information is included in your application to reduce the processing time for your passport. Always plan for a buffer period of time and give the process enough time.

Tatkal Passport/Express Passport

Want your passport more quickly? The Tatkal passport service can be a lifesaver if you require a passport immediately. In addition to the regular processing expenses, you can get your passport expedited in around 3 days.

The Ministry of External Affairs offers the Tatkal passport service as a fast-track passport issuance option for the prompt issuing of passports under the “Tatkal scheme.” The Tatkal plan for passport applications ensures that applicants will have an early appointment, prompt verification, and speedier verification via a separate line.

A traveller can apply for and acquire a passport within 1–3 days if he or she needs to leave immediately. For applications that do not require police verification, the passport will be submitted on the third working day, and the police verification will take place after the passport has been issued. Applications that do not require police verification will be completed within one working day.

Passport for Minors

Online Indian passports are only issued to applicants who are at least 18 years old. A minor’s passport has a 5-year validity period starting on the day it is issued or until the age of 18, whichever comes first.

For children, getting an Indian passport has slightly different costs and criteria than for adults. Both parents must be present in person while submitting the application, and they must jointly sign Annexure-D. If one parent is absent, the other parent’s agreement should be obtained in Annexure-D by the parent who is present. When both parents’ approval is not available, a declaration in the form of Annexure-C must be included with the passport application in India.

Police Clearance Certificate

To ensure that only morally upright and responsible applicants are accepted, the Indian Government requires a police clearance certificate as proof of your moral conduct. As part of your background investigation, police officers have supplied you with this paper. You risk having your passport application rejected if you have a criminal record.

The passport office will determine whether or not a police verification is necessary for a passport application depending on whether it is for a new passport or a renewal.

To continue enjoying the benefits of having a passport, the owner must make sure it is still current and has not expired.

The owner of a passport may renew it through the Passport Seva Portal when it expires. The website enables Indian citizens to easily complete all duties related to their online passport application.

What’s the Difference between Renewing and Reissuing a Passport?

In order to prolong the expiration date on a short validity passport, you must obtain a brand-new book when you renew your passport.

You obtain a reissued passport when your original one’s validity has run out and all of its pages have been used. These procedures describe the passport reissue experience, which is the most typical and which you may be dealing with. Please note that the phrases are frequently used interchangeably.

How to Renew or Reissue Your Passport in 4 Steps

Generally, renewing or reissuing your passport is a simple process with four simple steps:

  1. Register Yourself Online at the Passport Seva Website
  2. Fill out Your Online Application
  3. Get Set for Your Passport Renewal Appointment
  4. Collect the Required Documents for Renewal or Reissuing

Hereunder, we provide a detailed explanation of each of these actions.

1. Create an online account with Passport Seva

You need to register for an account on the Passport Seva website before beginning this process. This can be done by visiting the website, selecting “New User Register,” and starting the registration process from there. In order to register, you must:

  • Select the passport office that is connected to your current residential address
  • Enter your name, date of birth, email, login ID, password, and hint question
  • Activate your account using the email they send to you so that you can access your account.
  • Once the login is complete, you will see an option in the menu that states: “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.” After clicking on this link, you will proceed to fill out the application. The next stage in this procedure is this one.

You can visit the Passport Seva website here.

2. Fill out Your Online Application

The main step in getting a new passport or renewing one is filling out the application. To complete the application form, you will be given two options, each of which will be provided as an alternative. The technique is the same regardless of which option you select. The substitutes are:

Option 1 will present your application as a portable document format form that you can download and complete on paper.

The second option will be entered immediately into the form that you are utilizing.

3. Prepare for your Appointment to Renew your Passport

Once your application has been created, the next step is to look for openings so that you may schedule a time to have all of your documents reviewed. Additionally, the application submission fee must be paid. We’ll walk you through this procedure so you know precisely how to proceed.

Payment

The “View Saved/Submitted Applications” option will appear on the left when your application has been submitted. You must choose your application by selecting the radio button after choosing this option. Then, when the choices are shown with links attached, you must select “Pay and Schedule Appointment.” You can make a payment on page by clicking this link. You may use a challan or an online payment method to make your payment. We advise doing it online because it is typically simpler.

Choosing an Appointment

You can choose the Passport Service Kendra and the time slot after you’ve chosen online payment. It will provide the time slots that are open for your appointment. You will be taken to the payment page where you can choose which source you want to use to pay for the application after choosing your time window.

Some of you who are completing this form might be qualified for a walk-in appointment rather than needing to choose a time window. If so, you can change the time and print the cancellation document to bring with you to the appointment.

How to Print a Receipt

The payment receipt paper for the walk-in appointment must also be printed. Present these documents during the office’s walk-in hours if you have an appointment there.

A barcode on your payment receipt will also be scanned when you arrive for your appointment. Please make sure your printer has enough ink so that the barcode and the payment confirmation details are totally and clearly readable. If you find a mistake on your receipt, make a note of it and let the person checking your passport know.

A barcode on your payment receipt will also be scanned when you arrive for your appointment. Please make sure your printer has enough ink so that the barcode and the payment confirmation details are totally and clearly readable. If you find a mistake on your receipt, make a note of it and let the person checking your passport know.

To avoid missing your appointment, be sure to get to Passport Seva Kendra around 15 minutes early. It is sufficient to arrive on time, but it is better to arrive early than to arrive late and regret it.

4. Locate the Paperwork Required for your Passport Renewal or Reissue

To avoid any problems when presenting your documents during your appointment, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork. You can discover a form with options offered for you on the webpage where it is indicated that Document Advisor for renewal/re-issue is available.

A list of the documents you must bring to your appointment will appear when you select the appropriate option that applies to your situation. Beyond the ones mentioned later, no other documents are required. Do not be concerned with what others may think about the matter.

The only documents required are the ones listed on this page.

Documents Required for Renewal

There are some documents that must be provided to the Passport Seva along with an application form. The Document Advisor on the Passport Seva Portal will provide a list of the required documents for passport renewal. A user would need to choose the renewal option in order to view the necessary documents. To renew a passport, the following documents are required:

  1. Original old passport
  2. Self-attested copies of the first two pages and the last two pages of the passport.
  3. Self-attested copy of the page of observation, if any, made by the Passport Issuing Authority.
  4. Self-attested copy of the ECR/Non-ECR page.
  5. Proof of documents that eliminate the cause, if any, of issuance of a short-validity passport.
  6. Self-attested copy of the validity extension page, if any, of the short validity passport.

Online Passport Renewal Process: Full Guide

If one’s passport has run out, they must renew it. The general public has the option of applying both online and offline through Passport Seva. With the accelerating pace of technological advancement and complete connection, the passport application process has become comparatively simple.

Online Process

An individual must first register on the Passport Seva website before they may submit an online passport application. Once this is finished, the user will be able to efficiently carry out a variety of duties relating to passports.

Passport Login Registration

You must follow these procedures to register for the Passport Seva portal.

Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Click on the New User. Register Now tab.

Step 3: Now, select the Passport Office that is closest to your location.

Step 4: Enter the essential personal details as shown on the page.

Step 5: Create your Login ID and Password as per the portal’s terms and conditions.

Step 6: Select the Hint Question and Answer as you require. This will come in handy your log in details are lost.

Step 7: Click on the Register icon.

Step 8: Now, you will receive an activation link in your registered email. Click on the link to activate your Passport Seva account.

Step 9: Your account is now activated. You may now proceed with your application to renew your passport.

Recognize When the Passport Should be Reissued and When it has to be Renewed

While a passport is typically renewed when its validity has run out, a new passport may also be issued under one of the following circumstances:

  • Lost passport
  • Expired or about to expire passport
  • Stolen passport
  • Damaged or soiled passports
  • Exhaustion of pages
  • Change in personal details

Your existing passport is delivered to you as the renewed passport with the Expiration Date updated when you renew a passport. When you apply for a passport reissue, though, a new passport is given to you.

How can a Passport be Renewed Online in India?

For a variety of reasons, including lost or expired passports, people might seek to renew their passports. People often wonder how to renew their passports online under these circumstances. See the actions for renewing your passport hereunder:

  • Users must register on the Passport Seva Portal in order to submit an online application for a new passport or a passport renewal.
  • Log in to the Passport Seva Portal after enrolling.
  • Select the link to Apply for a New Passport or Reissue a Passport.
  • Complete the form’s necessary fields and submit it.
  • To make an appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra after submitting the paperwork for a new or renewed passport, click the “Pay and Schedule Appointment” tab.
  • Look up the nearest Passport Seva Kendra and choose it.
  • You can pay for the appointment at a particular Passport Seva Kendra online after making a reservation using a credit or debit card (MasterCard or Visa), internet banking [available only through State Bank of India (SBI) and associate banks], or an SBI bank challan.
  • The online fee calculator can be used to determine the cost of passport services.
  • The application receipt with the Application Reference Number or Appointment Number can be printed by users.
  • Go to the Passport Seva Kendra where a scheduled appointment has been made, bringing original documentation (such as a birth certificate, identification with a photo, evidence of residency, and proof of citizenship) with you.
  • These methods for passport renewal will help consumers navigate the challenging online process.

Documents Needed to Renew a Passport

  • Original old passport
  • Self-attested copies of the first two pages and the last two pages of the passport.
  • Self-attested copy of the page of observation, if any, made by the Passport Issuing Authority.
  • Self-attested copy of the ECR/Non-ECR page.
  • Proof of documents that eliminate the cause, if any, of issuance of short validity passport.
  • Self-attested copy of the validity extension page, if any, of the short validity passport.

Renewing a Passport at the Passport Office

Bring the Application Reference Number and all original documents to the Passport Seva Kendra/Regional Passport Office on the day of your appointment.

When will your application for a passport be turned down?

  • Incorrect information
  • Mismatching signature
  • Incorrect or incomplete documents
  • Discrepancy in the documents
  • Mistakes on the application form
  • Inconclusive police verification
  • Criminal history

Applicants may reapply for a passport within 3 days at the appropriate Passport Seva Kendra in the event the necessary documents are missing.

Tip: Always double-check your passport application before submitting it, as even a minor error like failing to complete a section or leaving off a signature will lead the application to be rejected. Additionally, if the application is denied, the passport application fees are not reimbursed. The passport officer has the last say on whether or not to issue the passport.

Passport Renewal and Reissue have Different Purposes.

While a passport is typically renewed when its validity has ended, a new passport may also be issued in the following circumstances:

  • Expired or about to expire passport
  • Lost passport
  • Stolen passport
  • Exhaustion of pages
  • Damaged or soiled passports
  • Change in personal details

When a passport has to be renewed, the person receives their current passport as the new one; however, when a new passport needs to be issued, the person receives a brand-new passport.

Passport with Limited Validity Renewal

For a short-validity passport, renewing a passport is a straightforward affair. All that is required is for the person to go to the Passport Seva Kendra and submit an application for the renewal of a short-validity passport.

Short-validity passports are given out in situations such as the ones listed hereunder:

  • Students appearing for exams like Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),etc.
  • Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who wish to travel to India for short periods
  • Nondelivery of passport due to loss in transit
  • Applicants with pending criminal cases

A passport’s validity in India is 10 years. A passport is frequently accepted as evidence of identification, place of residence, and age. The person must renew the passport before the 10-year expiration date or soon after the validity expires if he or she want to keep using its privileges. For the benefit of readers who are interested, we hope that thisblog is helpful in this regard.

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