Passport Seva (MEA) Official Services

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, is responsible for India's foreign relations and for issuing Indian passports to citizens under the Passports Act, 1967 and the Passports Rules, 1980. Passport services are handled by MEA's Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division and delivered to citizens through the Passport Seva Programme. Under this programme, applicants register and apply online on the Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in), then visit a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) for document verification and biometrics. Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) across India supervise passport processing, coordinate police verification and issue passports, while Indian Missions and Posts serve Indian citizens living abroad.

How to apply for a passport online (fresh or re-issue): 1. Register or log in on the Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in) or the mPassport Seva app. 2. Select 'Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport' and fill in the online form with your personal, address and family details. 3. Pay the applicable fee online through the portal (net banking, cards or UPI, as available). 4. Book an appointment at your nearest PSK or POPSK and save or print the Application Reference Number (ARN) receipt. 5. Visit the Kendra on the appointment date with original documents and self-attested photocopies. Your photograph and biometrics are captured and your documents are verified there. 6. Police verification is carried out where required, before or after printing depending on the type of application. 7. Your passport is printed and dispatched by Speed Post to the address in your application. For urgent travel, choose the Tatkal option while applying. It is subject to appointment availability and Tatkal document requirements.

Passport and related services covered in this hub: • Fresh passport: for first-time applicants (adults and minors). • Passport re-issue / renewal: when your passport is expiring, expired, has no free pages, or needs changes. • Tatkal passport: expedited issuance for urgent travel, at a higher fee. • Passport for minors (below 18 years): applied with parental consent and supporting annexures. • Lost, stolen or damaged passport: replacement through the re-issue process. • Change in personal particulars: name, address, date of birth, spouse name, signature or photo changes. • Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): for overseas jobs, study, long-term visas or residency. • Surrender of Indian passport: for those who have acquired foreign citizenship. • Appointment booking, rescheduling and application status tracking. Commonly needed documents: proof of address, proof of date of birth, photo ID, educational certificate (for ECNR status), your old passport (for re-issue) and applicable annexures.

Who can apply: any citizen of India, of any age. Minors apply with the consent of their parents or legal guardian. Indian citizens living abroad apply through the nearest Indian Mission or Post. Documents generally required (originals plus self-attested photocopies at the Kendra): • Proof of address: for example Aadhaar, utility bill, rent agreement, bank passbook or voter ID, as accepted on the portal. • Proof of date of birth: a birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or municipal authority is mandatory for those born on or after 1 October 2023. For others, accepted alternatives include a school-leaving or Class 10 certificate and other listed documents. • Educational certificate: used to determine ECNR status. • Old passport and photocopies of its first and last pages, plus any observation page: for re-issue. • Annexures or affidavits: for minors, change of name or particulars, and lost passports, as applicable. • Government employees: a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or prior intimation letter. Documents can also be shown through DigiLocker where accepted. Always check the latest list on the Passport Seva portal's document advisor before your appointment.

Processing time (indicative): normal applications are generally completed within about 2 to 4 weeks after the PSK appointment, depending on police verification and the Regional Passport Office. Tatkal applications are usually processed within a few working days after the appointment. Timelines vary by location, case type and verification status, so treat them as estimates. Tracking your application: • Use 'Track Application Status' on the Passport Seva portal with your file number and date of birth. • Check the mPassport Seva app and SMS or email updates. • After dispatch, track the Speed Post consignment using the tracking number sent to you. Statuses typically move through: application submitted, appointment completed, police verification, passport printed, dispatched and delivered. Contact your Regional Passport Office or the Passport Seva helpline if verification is delayed.

Official passport application fees (as revised from 1 July 2026, for adult applicants): • Fresh passport / re-issue, 36 pages: ₹2,500 (normal), ₹5,000 (Tatkal). • Fresh passport / re-issue, 60 pages: ₹3,500 (normal), ₹6,000 (Tatkal). Fees for minors, lost or damaged passports, change of particulars and Police Clearance Certificate differ. Use the official Fee Calculator on the Passport Seva portal for the exact amount before paying. Fees are paid online on the official portal. Validity: adult passports are valid for 10 years. Minor passports have a shorter validity (generally 5 years or until the child turns 18, whichever is earlier). Renewal: apply for re-issue when your passport is close to expiry (typically within one year before the expiry date), or earlier if pages are exhausted or details need correction. A lost or damaged passport must be re-issued through the same online process.