How do I apply for a passport in India?

For a fresh adult passport, the document requirements fall into three categories — DOB proof, address proof and identity proof — with most documents doubling up across categories.

Proof of Date of Birth (any one): birth certificate from Municipal Authority; Aadhaar card; PAN card; school leaving certificate or transfer certificate; voter ID with DOB; driving licence with DOB; or service record for government employees.

Proof of Address (any one): Aadhaar card; utility bill (electricity, water, telephone) not older than 1 year; registered rent agreement; bank statement or passbook with photo; voter ID with current address; or driving licence with current address. Most of the above also serve as Proof of Identity.

Additional documents for specific applicants: Minors — both parents' passports, parents' marriage certificate and the child's birth certificate; both parents' physical presence preferred. Married women changing name — marriage certificate, husband's passport (if any), and joint affidavit. Government employees — NOC from Department, and Identity Certificate for diplomatic or official categories. Re-issue (lost passport) — police report (FIR), and the original old passport if available. Re-issue (expired passport) — old passport.

Photo specifications: 4.5cm × 3.5cm, white background, no glasses, no expression. Don't crop — leave the standard border.

Tatkaal is a premium fast-track service for genuine emergencies. Additional fee is ₹2,000 over the standard fee.

Processing timelines: without police verification, the passport issues in 1-3 working days if the applicant has Aadhaar / voter ID / PAN as verification proof; with pre-issue police verification, it is processed faster than normal, but timing depends on police. Eligibility is open to all citizens, subject to stricter documentation.

Quota: limited daily appointments at each PSK — book early in the day. Documents required are the same as normal, but verification is stricter.

Tatkaal cannot be used for a first-time passport for a minor; change in marital status or name change; persons with criminal cases pending; or applications requiring foreign verification.

If your travel is urgent because of medical emergency, death in family or business necessity, mention it and attach proof (medical certificate, death certificate, business letter). The PSK can prioritise within Tatkaal. For genuine emergencies, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) can also issue an Emergency Certificate or Short-validity Passport — different from a regular passport but allowing immediate travel.

Police Verification (PV) is a critical step in passport processing and runs in three modes.

Pre-issue verification: passport is not issued until police clearance is received — typically 30-60 days. Applies to most fresh applications. Post-issue verification: passport issued first, verification within 30 days. Applies to Tatkaal applicants with Aadhaar + PAN + voter ID combo; re-issue cases with no change in address or name; government employees; senior citizens above 60; and minors with valid documents. No verification required for renewal of a valid passport with no change in particulars.

Process: a constable visits the address in the application, verifies identity, residence, employment and family, confirms with neighbours, files a report with the SP's office, and the SP forwards to the RPO.

Common delays: constable doesn't find you at home over multiple attempts — be available; address mismatch with documents; adverse remarks based on misinformation; genuine criminal record (FIR pending, conviction).

Track on the portal — real-time PV status is now visible. If delayed, you can directly approach the SP's office. For unfair adverse verification, file a representation with the RPO and ultimately the MEA.

Rejections happen for specific reasons under Section 6 of the Passports Act, 1967: non-citizen status; likely to engage in activities prejudicial to sovereignty; conviction in the past 5 years for an offence with 2+ years imprisonment; pending criminal proceedings with charges framed (the Supreme Court in Suresh Nanda v. CBI, (2008) 3 SCC 674 held that a pending case alone doesn't justify denial — charges should be framed); court order prohibiting issuance (e.g. in matrimonial or criminal cases); address or identity verification failure; or material false information in the application.

If rejected: under Section 6, the MEA must give written reasons for refusal or revocation. Appeal to the MEA Appellate Authority within 30 days under Section 11 — free, online via the portal. If the appeal is also rejected, a writ petition in the High Court is available, particularly where the rejection is arbitrary or based on insufficient evidence — Suresh Nanda and many subsequent cases have struck down arbitrary denials. For pending criminal cases, apply for permission from the trial court — generally granted with conditions such as surety, periodic reporting, and no foreign travel without permission. Engage a reputable, specialised lawyer for sustained denials.

For lost passports, file an FIR (see our Zero FIR guide) and re-apply. For NRIs, apply through the Indian Embassy or Consulate in the country of residence.

Renew your passport within 1 year before expiry (recommended), or after expiry. Many countries require 6 months' validity beyond planned travel.

Documents: old passport (original), address proof if the address changed, and photographs. Process follows the fresh application flow but is typically faster. Police Verification is often not required if the address is the same and is required if the address has changed. Fee: same as fresh passport (₹1,500 for 36-page). Timeline: 7-15 days for normal renewal, 1-3 days for Tatkaal.

Changes in particulars — name change due to marriage or divorce, spelling correction, address change, or DOB correction — are handled through a re-issue application with supporting documents.

Specific documents: name change after marriage — marriage certificate, husband's passport, joint affidavit; name change after divorce — divorce decree; voluntary name change — affidavit, gazette notification, newspaper publication; spelling correction — Aadhaar / PAN / school leaving certificate showing correct spelling; DOB correction — much harder, needs strong evidence (birth certificate, court order). Appending spouse's name to an existing passport is a separate process requiring the marriage certificate.

For a lost passport, an FIR is mandatory before applying for re-issue with the police report. The RPO retains discretion on additional verification given the history of passport impersonation.