Nowadays, you can fill in passport application forms online or offline, depending on your convenience. You can complete a physical form and deliver it to a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Online applications are submitted through the official Passport Seva website, allowing for rapid and easy submission. 

ICR scanners read these forms and reject applications if they are filled incorrectly. Keep reading to learn how to fill in a passport application form to avoid any inconvenience later on.

Once you’ve reviewed the criteria, check your eligibility for the passport.

If yes, go through the following segment that summarises how to fill in the passport application form online and offline with relevant details:

1. Service Required:

Select or enter the information in the following spaces available in the online passport application form:

Application for: Reissuance of a passport or a new passport

In case of reissue, provide reasons for the same:

• Exhaustion of pages in a passport booklet 

• Validity of passport lapsed within 3 years or is still due to expire

• Validity of passport expired 3 years ago or more 

• Damaged passport

• The passport has been lost 

• Change in existing personal information 

In case you select the last option, then provide reasons for the same:

• Appearance

• Name and surname

• Date of birth 

• Signature

• Address

• Spouse's name

• Delete ECR

• Other reasons

• Application Type: Tatkal or Normal 

• Type of Passport Booklet: 60 or 36 pages 

• Validity of Passport Required (for minors between the age group of 15-18 years): Choose either 10 years or up to 18 years of age. Usually, the validity of a passport is 10 years from the date it is issued for adults and can be reissued. A passport is valid for 5 years for a minor applicant or till they are 18 years of age, whichever is earlier.

2. Details of Applicants:

Enter the relevant details in each of the following fields available in the passport application form:

• Name 

• Known by any other name (if yes, furnish details in Column 1 of Supplementary Form)

• Ever changed your name (if yes, provide details in Column 2 of Supplementary Form)

• Date of Birth

• Birthplace (city, town or village), including details of the country, district and state

If you are born before 15.08.1947 in place of Bangladesh or Pakistan, mention 'Undivided India.'

• Marital status

• Gender

• Indian citizenship

• Voter ID and PAN card details 

• Employment Type: Select the appropriate option to verify your employment status: 

• Public Sector Undertaking or PSU

• Government

• Self-employed

• Private

• Statutory body

• Homemaker

• Not employed

• Student

• Retired-private service

• Retired government servant

• Owners, directors and partners of companies that are members of FICCI, ASSOCHAM and CII

• Others

• If you are employed in a statutory body, PSU and Government, provide the organisation's name.

• Specify if either parent (applicable for minor applicants) or spouse is a government servant.

Besides, fill in other information under this column:

• Educational Qualification 

• If eligible for the Non-ECR category 

• Visible distinguishing mark

• Aadhaar Number

3. Details of Family Members:

Specify the details in the following fields:

• Father's and Mother's Name

• Legal Guardian's Name

• Spouse's Name

In the case of minor applicants, enter the following relevant details:

Parent's Passport Details: Include the following:

• Father or legal guardian's file or passport number 

• Father or legal guardian's nationality, in case the citizenship is not Indian

• Mother or legal guardian's file or passport number 

• Mother or legal guardian's nationality, in case the citizenship is not Indian

4. Details of Present Residential Address:

Enter the relevant details in each of these fields:

• House number and street name 

• Details of town, city or village 

• Details of the district, state or UT, police station and PIN code

• Contact number and email ID

• Specify whether the permanent address is similar to the current residential address. If you choose 'no', provide the information in Column 4 in supplementary form.

5. Emergency Contact Details of Applicants:

Submit the following details mentioned below:

• Name and residential address (specify the residential address if it is not similar to your current address)

• Contact number and email ID

6. Details of Previous Passport or Application:

Provide the information for the following:

• Passport or Identity Certificate Number

• Issuance and expiry dates

• Place of issue 

• Whether you have applied for a passport and it is not issued. In case you select 'yes', then provide the file number, year and month of application, and passport office name where you have applied.

• If you own or have already owned a diplomatic passport, submit the information in Column 6 of Supplementary Form.

7. Other Details:

Enter the relevant details for the following:

• If there are any pending criminal proceedings against you

• In case you have been convicted by an Indian court

• You have been refused to get a passport

• If you have applied or been granted a foreign citizenship

• If you have returned to India on an Emergency Certificate

8. Details of Fees to Be Paid:

Mention the details of the following:

• Amount of fee

• If you paid the fee via demand draft, submit the DD issue date, number, expiry date, name and branch of the bank 

9. Enclosures:

Attach or submit the relevant documents, such as Voter ID and Aadhaar card, along with the duly filled application form.

10. Self-Declaration:

Put your signature or thumbprint, place, date, month and year to complete the offline and online passport application form fillup.

You must know all the payment methods available to make a comfortable and easy choice. Here's a detailed overview:

1. Online Payment:

You can pay the fee online via Passport Seva’s official website. Payment methods allowed are credit cards, debit cards, net banking, and others. This method is convenient and gives instant confirmation that you have paid.

2. Payment through Bank Challan:

Get the bank challan form from the Passport Seva website, fill in all information, and pay the fee at the selected bank. A receipt from the bank is required to be attached to the application form.

3. Payment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK):

Fees can also be paid at the Passport Seva Kendra by calling the office in person. Cash payments are commonly accepted here, and debit and credit cards may also be used. Check with the PSK for the accepted payment options.

Knowing these will facilitate the smooth submission of your passport application through proper understanding of application fees and available payment methods.

Follow the instructions carefully to avoid any inconvenience while filling up the passport application form:

• Use capital letters to fill up the passport application form offline. 
• Use standard fonts. 
• Write with blue or black ballpoint pens.
• Maintain clear writing throughout to avoid confusion.
• Mark 'cross' where you need to select one or more options. For example, if your gender is female, mark the box with a cross against the female option.
• Do not mark the boxes with tick marks or dots.
• Mention information within the boundaries of the boxes without touching them.
• After each complete word, leave one box blank.
• Do not specify details outside the given boxes.
• Strike out the word or character in case you have mentioned any incorrect details.
• Do not smudge or fold the passport application form.
• Do not mention 'Not Applicable' in case the option does not appear relevant to you. Leave those boxes or columns blank.

Avoiding common pitfalls can significantly streamline your passport application process. Here are some key mistakes to watch out for:

Incomplete Information:

All fields required to be filled in completely should be completed. Missing information can delay processing or lead to rejection.

Incorrect Details:

To avoid errors, always double-check all personal details, including name, date of birth, and address, when filling out an application form.

Wrong Photo Specifications:

You must adhere to the guidelines regarding the size and quality of passport photos. If the image is poor or of the wrong size, it may be rejected.

Not Signing the Form:

When necessary, sign the application form. Any unsigned forms will not be processed because they are incomplete.

Failure to Provide Proof of Citizenship:

Include valid proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or national ID. Omitting this can delay or halt your application.

Submitting Unverified Documents:

Every document should be genuine and verified appropriately. Submitting uncorroborated or counterfeit documents is not accepted.

Incorrect Fee Payment:

Verify the correct fee amount and payment method before submission. Incomplete payment can prevent your application from being processed.

Not Keeping Copies:

Make copies of all documents and forms submitted. Having a backup can be useful in case of any issues or discrepancies.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient passport application process.

If you are submitting a passport application format at District Passport Cell, Citizen Service Centre or Authorised Speed Post Centre, follow the instructions carefully while pasting your photograph on the application form:

• Paste one colour passport size photograph with a dimension of 4.5 cm in length x 3.5 cm in width.
• The background colour of the photograph should be white, and the colour of your dress colour should be dark. 
• The photograph should fit in the box given in the application form.
• Your front face should be visible in the photograph with a neutral expression and eyes open, while your head's position should be at the centre and ensure that facial edges and ears are visible. 
• Wearing coloured or dark glasses in a photograph will not be accepted.
• Computer printed photographs are not accepted, and photos printed on superior quality photo paper are permissible. 
• Your hair should not cover the eyes. 
• Glares on eyeglasses are not acceptable.
• Damaged photos are not accepted.
• Covering of the head is only permissible in the case for religious purposes.
• Shadows on your face or in the background in a photograph should not be there.
• Photos derived from group photographs are not acceptable.
• Do not put your signature on the pasted photograph.

Note: You do not need to submit photographs if you submit the application form at Passport Seva Kendra.

Thus, now you know how to fill in a passport application form. Knowing about it will streamline the process of filling out the application form without any hassle. This will simplify the process, allowing you to complete the form smoothly and without stress. Being informed about each step ensures you can tackle it efficiently and avoid unnecessary issues.