Passport & Travel|Last updated: July 2026|7 min read

Indian Passport Application & Renewal Guide — Passport Seva (2026)

Moderate — takes some time

Quick Answer

To apply for an Indian passport, register at passportindia.gov.in, fill out the online application, pay ₹1,500 (normal) or ₹3,500 (Tatkaal), book an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), attend with original documents, and complete police verification. Processing takes 10-20 days.

Fresh passport or renewal?

Apply for a fresh passport if:

You're applying for the first time
Your previous passport is expired for more than 3 years

Apply for re-issue/renewal if:

Your current passport is about to expire (within 1 year) or has expired within the last 3 years
Your passport pages are full
You need to change personal details (name, address, DOB)
Your passport is damaged or lost

What documents you'll need

Proof of Identity (any one):

Aadhaar Card
Voter ID
PAN Card
Driving License

Proof of Date of Birth (any one):

Birth Certificate issued by Municipal Authority
Class 10 Board Certificate (most common)
PAN Card
Aadhaar Card

Proof of Address (any one):

Aadhaar Card (most convenient)
Electricity Bill (within last 3 months)
Water Bill (within last 3 months)
Bank Passbook with photograph
Rent Agreement + Owner's NOC

For Non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) status:

Class 10 pass certificate or higher education proof
Professional degree (engineer, doctor, CA, etc.)

Step-by-step application process

Register on Passport Seva portal

Visit passportindia.gov.in and click "New User? Register Now." Create your login ID using your email. Select your nearest Passport Office based on your current residential address.

Tip: Use an active email and mobile number — you'll receive OTPs and appointment confirmations.

Fill out the online application form

Login and select "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport." Fill all sections carefully: personal details, family details, current and previous addresses, employment, and references. Review twice before submitting.

Tip: Save a draft frequently. The portal times out after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Upload documents and pay fee

Upload scanned copies of required documents (photo, identity proof, address proof, DOB proof). Pay ₹1,500 for normal or ₹3,500 for Tatkaal processing using debit/credit card, net banking, or SBI challan.

Tip: Keep payment receipt and Application Reference Number (ARN) safe.

Schedule PSK appointment

After payment, book an appointment slot at your chosen Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Print the appointment receipt with your ARN.

Tip: Early morning slots (9-11am) have shorter wait times.

Visit PSK with original documents

Bring your appointment receipt, application form printout, and all original documents. Your documents will be verified, and biometrics (fingerprints + photo) will be captured. The entire process takes 30-60 minutes.

Tip: Arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals may forfeit their appointment slot.

Complete police verification

Police verification happens either before (pre-verification for Tatkaal) or after passport printing. A police officer will visit your address to verify documents and residence. Ensure someone is available at home.

Tip: Track verification status online at passportindia.gov.in under "Track Application Status."

Receive passport by post

Once police verification is cleared and your application is approved, your passport will be printed and dispatched via India Post Speed Post to your registered address within 2-5 days.

Tip: Track your Speed Post using the consignment number sent via SMS.

How much does it cost?

Service Type	36-Page Booklet	60-Page Booklet
Fresh passport (normal)	₹1,500	₹2,000
Re-issue (normal)	₹1,500	₹2,000
Fresh passport (Tatkaal)	₹3,500	₹4,000
Re-issue (Tatkaal)	₹3,500	₹4,000
Police Clearance Certificate	₹500

Processing timelines

Normal processing:

PSK document verification: Same day
Police verification: 3-15 days (varies by state and police workload)
Passport printing & dispatch: 2-5 days after police clearance
Total: 10-20 days typically

Tatkaal processing:

Police verification happens first (pre-police verification)
Passport printed within 1-3 days after police clearance
Total: 5-7 days if police verification is quick

How to track your application

Track your passport status online at passportindia.gov.in:

Click "Track Application Status"
Enter your Application Reference Number (ARN) or File Number
Enter your Date of Birth and captcha

Status meanings:

"Application Submitted": PSK verification pending
"Granted": PSK verification complete, police verification initiated
"Police Verification Pending": Waiting for police officer visit
"Printing": Passport is being printed
"Dispatched": Sent via Speed Post (check tracking number)

Common mistakes to avoid

Go to official Passport Seva →

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