What is the Passport Renewal Process in India?

A passport is an official document that facilitates travel for various purposes, such as business or education, thereby confirming the identity and nationality of its holder. Knowing how to renew a passport in India and valid key documents is essential for an optimal travel experience. 

An Indian passport is valid for 10 years from the issue date and must be renewed afterwards. After expiry, renewal may be initiated for three years or up to one year. The passport renewal process should be conducted at least nine months before expiry, while renewal within six months is possible. Still, it may result in potential delays, affecting travel plans.

So, scroll down to learn about the process of online passport renewal. This article will also discuss other aspects, such as the required documents and the processing time.

Yes, you can renew your passport if it has already expired. The process of renewing a passport can be done after 3 years of expiry. But if you don’t apply before 3 years, you'll need to apply for a new passport, which involves the same application process as getting a new passport for the first time, and police verification is needed in this process.

Here is the list of documents needed for passport renewal:

For Adults:

• Old passport

• No Objection Certificate or NOC

• An intimation letter

• Self-attested copies of the following:

  • The first and last two pages of your passport

  • Validity extension page w.r.t. the short validity passport or SVP

  • Non-ECR/ECR page

  • Page of observation issued by the passport issuing authority

For Minor Applicants:

• You must bring a current 4.5 X 3.5 cm passport-size photograph wiht a white background.

• You can submit proof of the current residential address in the parent's name.

• Parents can attest the documents on behalf of a minor.

Moreover, note that the documentation process will differ based on the type of passport renewal (normal or tatkal passport) and an applicant's age (adult or minor).

You can quickly complete a passport renewal application form online by following the process given below:

1. Visit the Official Passport Seva Website to Register

Register through Passport Seva's official website, click on “New User Registration” and create an account.

2. Login and Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of a Passport

After logging in, choose the "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport" link according to your requirements and click on "Click here to fill out the application form", and select "Re-issue of Passport".

3. Fill Out the Form Accurately and Submit It

Complete the form, including your personal information, previous passport details, and local address and contact details, for police verification. Then, submit it.

4. Pay and Schedule Your Appointment

Once the form is filled out, pay online and book an appointment at your earliest convenience to the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

5. Print and Visit Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Click on the link 'Print Application Receipt' to print the Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number. Then, on the day of your appointment, visit Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) with all the original documents.

Note: You will get an "Acknowledgment receipt" with a file number, which will help you track your application status on the official website. Remember, if you do not visit Passport Seva Kendra within 90 days of the online submission, you have to resubmit it again.

If you choose not to renew your passport online, you still have the option to complete the process offline. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Visit the Official Site and Download the Application Form

Visit Passport Seva's official website and download the e-form by choosing the “Print Application Form” option under the tab of “Form and Affidavits” or collect the application form from the nearest District Passport Cell (DPC) for ₹10.

2. Print and Fill Out the Form

On an A4 sheet, print the form back to back and fill out the application accurately with the relevant details and attach the documents, such as 2 passport-size photos and copies of the required documents.

3. Submit and Pay

Submit the filled-out form with supported documents to your nearest District Passport Cell (DPC) and Pay the fees using a Demand Draft.

4. Receive an Acknowledgement Letter

Get an “Acknowledgement Letter” containing the file number; you can use this number to track the application status.

Ensure you carry all required documents, stay organised, and double-check all the information. And remember not to sign on the photograph. Your documents, such as your Name, Date of Birth, and the date of form submission, should be written behind the Demand Draft.

Steps for Filling the Passport Renewal Application Form

The steps for filling out the passport renewal application form online are relatively simple and can be completed quickly. Just ensure you double-check all the details before submitting your form and keep all the necessary documents. 

1. Log in to the Passport Seva website.
2. Select "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.".
3. Complete the form by entering your address and local phone number for police verification.
4. Verify all the information and select "Validate.".
5. Submit the application form. 

Steps to Fill an E-Form For Passport Renewal?

Here are the steps to download an E-Form from the Passport Seva Portal and how to fill out the application.    

1. Visit the Passport Seva website and log in.
2. Choose the "Fresh or Re-issue of passport" and download the e-form.
3. Fill out the downloaded e-form with the necessary details.
4. Press the "Validate and Save" button.
5. Upload the file to the website. 

The Indian passport authority issues a short-validity passport (SVP) for a short time. This passport is issued to students appearing for exams like the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), people who want to travel to India for a short period, such as Non-Resident Indians (NRI), people who do not have a regular passport, and people who have criminal cases against them.

The Assistant Passport Officer has the authority to renew passports with short validity, which can be renewed once every ten years.

The process of renewal of a Short Validity Passport is the same as the process of renewing a regular passport, such as:

1. Visit the official website of Passport Seva.

2. Fill out an application form accurately.

3. Get all the documents which are required, such as (proof of identity and address)

4. Paying the amount necessary and schedule an appointment.

5. Print the Application Receipt and visit Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Take a look below to book your convenient slot to get your renewed passport:

1. Log in to the portal with your user ID and password.

2. Navigate to ‘View Saved and Submitted Application’ and select ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment link.’

3. Once you schedule an appointment slot, you need to make an online payment for the same. Moreover, the fee will differ depending on the application type (normal /tatkal) and page numbers in your passport booklet. Online payment is available in the following methods:

   • SBI Bank Challan

   • Credit or Debit Card (Only Visa and MasterCard are acceptable)

   • Internet Banking (SBI and other associate banks)

4. Select the option ‘Print Application Receipt’. This receipt contains the application reference number or appointment number. At present, it is not mandatory to carry the application receipt.

You can easily track your status of passport renewal on the Passport Seva portal. Simply enter the details like your application type, file number, and date of birth into this portal. Then, click on ‘Track Status’.

Be it a holiday or a business trip, carrying a passport is a must. Therefore, if your passport's validity has expired, opt for online renewal at the earliest. Moreover, keep in mind the above-mentioned details for online passport renewal and enjoy a hassle-free process.