Whether you are going on a school trip a work trip or a family vacation, a passport is a much-needed official document whenever one is traveling outside the country. While there are some countries that allow Indians to visit without visas passports are a must when you need to travel to any foreign country. Individuals traveling abroad for the 1st time can feel overwhelmed and confused about how they can get their passports made.
While earlier the process was slightly more complicated, the government of India has taken several steps to simplify and expedite the complete process in last several years. Now, one can apply for their passport online sitting at home, or offline by visiting various centers of application. Offline mode is mostly used by people who cannot access the internet or have any issues applying for a passport online.
What is a Passport?
A passport is an internationally accepted identity document used while traveling abroad. It is an official document that is very important when traveling abroad. A passport serves as a confirmation of one’s nationality and indicates the country you are a citizen of. Passport fees and 25-year-old conditions are required for some passports. The Ministry of External Affairs issues passports in India after a thorough citizenship and background check.
Types of Indian Passports
- Ordinary passport (Dark blue cover)- It is issued to ordinary citizens for private travel such as for vacation, study, and business trips. It is a ‘P’ type passport where P stands for Personal and has 36-60 pages.
- Diplomatic passport (maroon cover)- It is issued to Indian diplomats, members of parliament, members of the Union Council of ministers, high-ranking government officials, and diplomatic couriers. It is a ‘D’ type passport where D stands for Diplomatic and since 2008 all diplomatic passports are e-passports with embedded data chips.
- Official passport (white cover)- It is issued to individuals representing the Government of India of official business, including members of the Indian Armed Forces stationed abroad. It is a Type ‘S’ passport where S stands for Service. Since 2021, all official passports are e-passports with embedded data chips.
- Tatkal passport is for urgent needs
- Short Validity passports are for short-term trips but come under Ordinary passports.
How to Apply for an Indian Passport Offline? Where to apply for a passport offline?
You can apply for a passport offline by submitting the application form at any of the given centers. These centers sell and accept passport forms, collect related documents, and verify the same along with collecting passport fees. After this is done, the application is forwarded to the Regional Passport Office (RPO) for further processing. This includes connecting with local police, for verification, issuance, printing, lamination, and dispatch of passports/
- District Passport Cell (DPC)
- Speed Post Centre (SPC)
- Citizen Service Centre (CSC)
Note- keep in mind that only new passport applications can be submitted at these centers.
Where can passport forms be obtained offline?
- The forms can be downloaded and printed off the internet from the passport website.
- The forms can also be bought at the above-mentioned centers.
Applying for a passport at DPC
- Look for your nearest DPC and visit the center to submit the passport forms with photographs.
- Submit self-attested documentation.
- Provide original documentation for verification.
- Pay fees via Demand draft.
- Receive an acknowledgment letter having the file number.
Note- the form can be downloaded from the internet and filled in manually or it can be bought at the DPC for Rs. 10. Documents needed are the application form, self-attested photocopies of documents as well as originals, photos of dimensions 4.5cms x 3.5cms free of any marks, signature. Stamps etc.
Applying for a Passport at SPC
- Buy, fill, and submit passport application forms at the SPC. The form will cost Rs. 20 including an envelope.
- Submit self-attested photocopies of documents along with photos.
- Payment of passport fee for fresh/new passport application should be made at the SPC. Payment can be done via DD or cash.
- You will get a key number which can be used to check the passport office.
Applying for a Passport at CSC
Just like DPCs and SPCs, passport forms can be bought, filled, and submitted at CSC along with required documents and photos. The fees have to be paid via Cash or Card and on completion you will get a reference number that can be used to track application status.
Applying for Passport Online
Applying for a passport online sitting at your home is much more convenient than offline mode. Just visit and register on the Passport Seva Portal at www.passportindia.gov.in or mPassport Seva on Google Play Store or Apple App Store and follow the given steps to register for a passport.
- Sign in to your account using your id and password.
- Click on the ‘Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport’ link and select the fresh passport option.
- Fill in the required details in the form and submit it.
- Pay the passport fees and schedule an appointment using the View Saved/Submitted applications screen to make an appointment.
- Print the application receipt that has your application reference number.
- You will get an SMS with appointment details and that can be considered as proof of appointment during your visit to the passport office.
- Visit the passport Seva Kendra or the regional passport office where an appointment and original documents have been booked for physical verification.
Indian Passport FAQs
How can we pay Passport fees online?
Online payment can be made via credit/debit card (master card and Visa), Internet Banking (SBI), and SBI Bank Challan.
What are the types of Passport Applications?
The types of passport applications are fresh passport, re-issue of passport, tatkal passport, police clearance certificate, diplomatic/official passport, and identity certificate.
Name the documents needed to apply for a minor’s passport in India?
- Birth Certificate
- Aadhaar card
- Address proof of parents
- Passport of both parents (if available)
- Proof of nationality of both parents (if the child is born outside India)
How much minimum validity should be checked for before traveling abroad?
6 Months
How long does it take to get a new passport?
It takes nearly 30 to 45 days to get a new passport after filing a normal passport application. If you are applying for a Tatkal passport, it will take 3 working days to dispatch your new passport after the successful application submission with the final status as ‘Granted’.
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