Indian Passport Renewal

For many Indians, international travel is not that frequent and even if we have a passport, it may be nearing its expiry if issued over 7-8 years ago. Since your passport is your ultimate proof of nationality and identity abroad, it has to be up-to-date. This handy guide will help you know everything about the Indian passport validity and steps to renew it online as well as offline.

Individuals
Sr. Citizens
Students

Plans for an individual of 30 years age travelling to USA for 15 days

When is Passport Renewal Necessary?

Better education, work opportunities and tourism attracts many Indians to foreign shores. A passport is the first document that must be readied for the upcoming journey. An Indian passport is issued to Indians travelling abroad for various purposes. However, if your passport is nearing its expiry even 6 months later, then a renewal is mandatory. This is because several countries across the world need the passport to be valid for at least 6 months before expiry.

All standard Indian passports are valid for 10 years from the date of issue. In the case of minors under 18 years of age, the passport validity is 5 years. A renewal is required ideally before the passport expires. Indian passport holders can apply passport renewal online using Passport Seva Portal. Registered users can simply log in and select the option to renew their existing passport.

How to Renew an Indian Passport?

The process for Indian passport renewal is pretty straightforward and can be done online as well as in person by visiting the Passport Office. Here are the different ways for both:

Steps to Renew Indian Passport Online

The Ministry of External Affairs has created the Passport Seva Portal to meet the growing needs of people who wish to travel abroad. You can very easily renew your passport and avail of other passport related services by visiting the official website. Here are the steps for online passport renewal in India:

Step 1: Go to the official website of Passport Seva Portal

Step 2: If you already have an account, click on the ‘ Existing User Login’ otherwise register yourself under the ‘New User Registration’ section.

Step 3: New users will need to fill the correct passport office depending on their residential address. Fill out all the details including your email address, date of birth etc. You can proceed to create a login ID with a password and activate your account by following the link on your email ID.

Step 4: After logging in to the Passport Seva Website, select the option to ‘Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport’

Step 5: Complete the form with all the required information including your local contact information for future police verification.

Step 6: Click on ‘Validate’ once you have checked and confirmed all the details. Now select the ‘ Pay and Schedule Appointment’ link to schedule your appointment.

Step 7: As online payment for passport application is mandatory, you can make the online payment for your passport renewal via credit/debit card/internet banking/SBI bank challan.

Other than filling an online form for passport renewal, you can also download an e-form, complete it and then upload it on the Passport Seva Portal.
Steps to Renew Indian Passport Offline

The offline process is also very straightforward and can be done by submitting a passport application form. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Visit the nearest District Passport Cell and buy the passport application form for Rs. 10. Alternatively, you can also visit the Passport Seva Portal and download the application form. You will need to print this form by choosing from the ‘Forms and Affidavits’ column.

Step 2: Print the application form on an A4 sheet. Ensure that it is printed back to back.

Step 3: Fill the form properly

Step 4: Attach all the required documents for passport renewal. These photocopies need to be submitted along with the application form so ensure that all the documents are up-to-date and genuine.

Step 5: After submission and verification of the application form, recent photographs, supporting documents at the District Passport Cell, pay the required fee using a SBI demand draft.

Step 6: Once everything is done, you will get an ‘Acknowledgement Letter’ containing a file number. You can note down this number for tracking the application status of your passport. This can be done online or offline using various routes.
Passport Renewal Through Post Office Passport Seva Kendra

Another way to apply for a fresh passport or get it renewed is by visiting a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). These POPSKs have been provided by the Department of Posts and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure that passport services in India are accessible to everyone on a larger scale.

There are 429 Post Office PAssport Seva Kendras across the country. Passport applicants can also get their Police Clearance Certificate from one of the operational 214 POPSKs that they can access.

The steps for Indian passport renewal through POPSK is similar to the offline process.

Documents to Renew Indian Passport

Indian passport renewal is a fairly simple process provided that you have all the required documents ready. These are listed below:

Category	Specification
Documents for Adults	Old passport NOC (No Objection Certificate) Self-attested copies of passport (first & last two pages) Self-attested copy of the validity extension page Self-attested copy of the non-ECR/ECR page Self-attested copy of the page of observation Intimation letter
Documents for Minors	Latest passport size photo (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with white background Address proof of current residence Documents attested by parents

How Soon Can We Renew Indian Passport?

Indian passport holders must renew their passport timely to avoid any delays in the procedure because of expiry. Take a look at the time of application for Indian passport renewal:

For Adults over 18 years: Renewal can be done up to 1 year before passport expiry.
For Minors under 18 years: As the validity is restricted to 5 years, minors can apply for a passport renewal either before expiry or attaining 18 years.
For Minors between 15 & 18 years: They can apply for a 10-year passport within the last year of expiry.

Indian Passport Renewal Fees & Charges

The cost of applying for a fresh passport or getting a re-issue for renewal is the same. Based on the number of pages in the passport, age of the applicant and the procedure opted, the charges will be as follows:

Passport Service	Normal Fee	Tatkal Fee
Re-issue of Passport (36 pages)	INR 1500	INR 2000
Re-issue of Passport (60 pages)	INR 2000	INR 4000
Re-issue of Passport with 5 year validity (36 pages)	INR 1000	INR 2000

Expired Passport Renewal

Many reasons can lead to a delay in passport renewal or inability to go through the passport renewal process. If your passport was issued 10 years ago, then chances are that it is either expired or about to expire. In case of passport expiry, you will need to apply for a re-issue of passport. If your passport validity has expired within 3 years then too you can apply for a re-issue of passport.

The steps to apply are similar to applying for a fresh passport. If you are an existing user, then you can log in and complete the online application for passport renewal. The process will require you to fill and submit the application, schedule an appointment at the nearby passport seva kendra, and get police clearance done.

Indian Passport Renewal: Things to Keep in Mind

The procedure to apply for a fresh passport, re-issue or renewal can be pretty confusing as they have similar steps. However, applicants must know some crucial differences and pointers to avoid any confusion.

Passport holders can apply for a renewal only when it is close to expiry. However, a re-issue is applicable for other reasons including change in marital status, passport theft or loss, page exhaustion and other changes in personal details.

In case of passport renewal, the passport authorities will provide you with your existing passport as a renewed one.

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Time Needed for Passport Renewal

Just like a fresh passport, time taken to get a renewed passport will vary with the kind of service opted for. If applying for passport renewal under normal scheme, then it can take between 30-60 days to get the renewed passport. If you plan to apply for passport renewal under Tatkal scheme then it can be issued within 3-7 days.

You can easily track the passport renewal status by following the steps below:

Step 1: Using your registered ID, log in to the Passport Seva Portal.
Step 2: Go to the Track ‘Application Status’ link and click on it.
Step 3: Input your file number, date of birth, and the correct application type (Passport/PCC/IC/GEP)
Step 4: Once all the options have been selected, click on the ‘Track Status’ option and check the status.

Indian Passport Renewal - FAQs

Q. Is police verification mandatory for passport renewal in India?

Ans: Yes, police verification is required for all fresh and reissue of passports in India.
Q. Is an agent required to renew your passport?

Ans: No, it is completely optional to use an agent’s services for passport renewal. You can easily do it yourself online or in person by visiting nearby PSKs/POPSKs.
Q. Is passport renewal possible without scheduling an appointment?

Ans: No, you must get a proper slot for your scheduled appointment online before visiting a Passport Seva Kendra for renewal.
Q. How many days before expiry can we get Indian passport renewal done?

Ans: You can apply for passport renewal no earlier than 1 year from its expiry date. It is ideal to start the renewal process 9-12 months before the expiry specially if you have plans to travel abroad.
Q. Is there a way to track my passport renewal application?

Ans: Yes, there are plenty of ways to track offline or online passport renewal applications. You can use your date of birth, application number, file number to track the status on PAssport Seva Portal. You can also use other means listed on the official website, including toll free number and SMS method.
Q. Is my old passport necessary for the passport renewal process?

Ans: Yes, along with the supporting documents and their photocopies, you will need to carry your old passport and submit it.
Q. Can my wife send my documents and other documents for passport renewal for the documentation?

Ans: No, you need to visit the Passport office in person and get the documentation done.

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