How to Apply for an Indian Passport: Fresh, Renewal, Tatkal, Documents, Fees and Police Verification
Step-by-step guide to applying for a passport in India: Passport Seva portal, documents, fees, appointment, police verification, Tatkal, minors, renewal, name or address changes and common problems.
Getting a passport in India is a mostly online process through the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) network. If you prepare documents properly and use the official portal, it is straightforward. This guide walks through each step, including renewal, Tatkal and applications for children.
Fees, forms and procedures change often. Treat the figures here as indicative and confirm them on the official government or bank website before you act.
Which application do you need?
| Type | Used for |
|---|---|
| Fresh passport | First-time applicants or those with an expired passport that was issued long ago. |
| Re-issue or renewal | For expiry, damage, loss, or a change of personal particulars. Apply from 9 months before expiry. |
| Minor passport | For applicants under 18, with parental consent, and a validity of five years or until age 18. |
| Tatkal | Faster processing for urgent travel, with an extra fee and a limited number of documents accepted. |
| Police clearance certificate | For jobs or visas abroad. |
Step by step: online application
- Register on the official Passport Seva portal and log in.
- Choose "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue" and fill in the form online, or download and upload the e-form.
- Choose the passport type: 36 pages or 60 pages, and validity of 10 years for adults.
- Pay the fee online and book an appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office PSK.
- Print the application receipt, and visit the PSK on the appointment date with original documents.
- At the PSK, your documents and biometrics are verified and the file is processed.
- Track the application using the file number. Police verification is done at your address, and for some cases happens after dispatch.
- The passport is dispatched by speed post.
Documents required
| Item | Examples |
|---|---|
| Address proof | Aadhaar, voter ID, utility bill, rent agreement, bank passbook with photograph or others as listed |
| Date of birth proof | Birth certificate, school leaving certificate, PAN or Aadhaar as listed on the portal |
| Proof of non-ECR status if applicable | Educational qualification certificates |
| Photograph | As per specifications, taken at the PSK where required |
| For minors | Birth certificate, parents' passports and affidavit of consent if only one parent applies |
| For renewal | Old passport and its first and last pages |
| For name change | Gazette notification, marriage certificate or affidavit as applicable |
Rules about acceptable documents are updated, so always check the portal's list for your case. Keep photocopies and originals together.
Fees
At the time of writing, fees for an adult 10-year passport are in the range of about ₹1,500 for 36 pages and ₹2,000 for 60 pages for normal processing, with a Tatkal additional charge of about ₹2,000. Minors pay less for five-year passports. Fees change from time to time, so confirm on the official portal, and avoid agents who ask for large service charges. Compare with other costs in your travel budget.
Police verification
- A police officer may visit your address to verify the details, or ask you to visit the station.
- Keep original ID and address documents ready, and answer calmly and truthfully.
- Do not pay any bribe. Report corruption to the passport authorities.
- Some applicants are eligible for "Police Verification on Arrival" after the passport is issued, which speeds up the process.
Tatkal passports
The Tatkal scheme gives faster processing, often within a few days, for an extra fee and fewer allowed supporting documents. Not everyone qualifies, and verification may be post-issue. Book Tatkal slots early in the morning when released.
Renewal
Apply for renewal when the passport is within nine months of expiry or has run out of pages. Use the "Re-issue" option, and upload details of the old passport. Misspelled names or incorrect birth dates should be corrected at this time, with supporting documents.
Common problems
- Mismatched names or dates across documents, which delay the process. Fix them before applying.
- Missing appointments. Rescheduling is possible a limited number of times.
- Fake agents and websites. Use only the official portal. See scam awareness.
- Not checking the validity requirement for visas, as many countries require at least six months of validity.
After you get the passport
- Sign it, check all details immediately and report errors at once.
- Keep scans in a secure place and note the passport number for visa applications.
- For overseas trips, consider travel insurance and check visa rules for your destination.
Planning your timeline
Work backwards from your travel date. Allow time to collect and correct documents, to find an appointment slot, which can take a week or more in busy cities, to complete police verification and to receive the passport by post. If you also need a visa, remember that embassies often want the passport in hand for several weeks. Applicants who start two to three months before the planned trip rarely need the Tatkal route, and avoiding it saves money and stress. Check the number of blank pages as well, because some countries require two or more blank pages, and choose the 60-page booklet if you travel often.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a passport take?
Normal processing usually takes a few weeks, depending on verification, and Tatkal is faster.
When can I apply for renewal?
Up to nine months before expiry.
Which documents do I need?
Address proof, date of birth proof and photographs, as listed on the portal.
Is police verification compulsory?
It is part of the process, with the timing varying by case.
How much does a passport cost?
Fees depend on pages, validity and processing type, so check the official portal.
Can minors get passports?
Yes, with parental consent, and a validity of five years or until age 18.
Last reviewed 8 November 2026. Rates, limits and rules change, so confirm figures with the official source before you act.
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Information on AMTools is for general guidance and is not professional financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Rules, rates and limits change, so check the latest official source before acting.