India / Identity documents

How to apply for a passport in India

Fill the form on the Passport Seva portal, pay the fee online, book an appointment and visit the Passport Seva Kendra in person with original documents. A fresh 36 page adult passport costs Rs 2,500, and Tatkaal costs Rs 2,500 more. The passport comes by Speed Post after police verification.

Fee: Rs 2,500 (36 pages) or Rs 3,500 (60 pages) for adults; Rs 1,750 for a minor; Tatkaal Rs 2,500 extra
Time: Normal: up to 30 working days, not counting police verification. Tatkaal: up to 3 working days if eligible
How: Online form and payment, then in person at a PSK or POPSK

Checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. See the 22 sources.

Not confirmed

These points could not be confirmed on an official page on 13 October 2026. Check them with the office or portal before you rely on them.

Rescheduling: the portal's process page says an appointment can be rescheduled three times (once for Tatkaal), while the Fee Payment FAQ says only two times within a year. Both pages are on passportindia.gov.in
Tatkaal dispatch time: the Tatkaal FAQ says the third working day after grant in one answer and within 1 to 3 days of the PSK visit in another; the Citizen's Charter says up to 3 working days. The older Instruction Booklet V3.0 gives different figures and was not relied on
The fee notification G.S.R. 516 dated 20.06.2026 is cited in the Citizen's Charter but the PDF itself was not opened; fee figures are from the portal's Fee Structure page
The rupee amount after the 10 percent rebate, and whether the rebate touches the Tatkaal fee, is not stated on the fee page; use the Fee Calculator
What happens at each counter inside the PSK, and how long a visit takes, is not described on the pages opened
No official page opened gives a time limit for the police to finish verification
Which Passport Offices already issue ePassports is not listed on the ePassport FAQ
Card payment surcharge is shown as 1.5 percent plus service tax on the Fee Payment FAQ, which looks outdated, so it is left out of the body

Quick answer

Register on the Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in), fill the form for a fresh passport, pay the fee online and book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Go there in person with original documents and one set of self-attested photocopies. Your photograph and fingerprints are taken at the Kendra. After police verification, where it applies, the passport is printed and sent by Speed Post to your present address. There is no offline form and nobody else can attend for you.

Who can apply

Indian citizens of any age. The form asks whether you are a citizen by birth, by descent, or by registration or naturalisation.
Fresh passport is the right category if you have never held an ordinary passport. If you have held one before, even an expired one, you apply for re-issue.
Minors are applicants below 18. Every child needs a separate passport; a child's name can no longer be added to a parent's passport. A parent or legal guardian applies for the child.
You can apply at any PSK or Regional Passport Office in India, whatever your home state. You only need proof of your present address.

A person with a criminal case pending in court can be issued a passport only with the court's written permission to travel abroad, and it is normally valid for one year.

Documents you need

Carry originals and one set of self-attested photocopies. For a minor, a parent can attest the copies. The Document Advisor on the portal (under Services) gives the exact list for your case; use it, because the list changes for government employees, changed names, adopted children, separated parents, and residents of Jammu and Kashmir or Nagaland.

For an ordinary adult applying for the first time, three things are mandatory:

1. Proof of present address (any one)

Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar
Election Commission photo ID card
Electricity bill, water bill, or telephone bill (landline or postpaid mobile)
Proof of gas connection
Rent agreement
Photo passbook of a running bank account (scheduled public sector banks, scheduled private sector Indian banks and Regional Rural Banks only)
Income Tax Assessment Order
Spouse's passport (first and last page), if it names you as spouse and shows the same address
Certificate from employer on letterhead (public limited companies only)

Only the present address needs proof, however recently you moved there. The form still asks for every place you lived in the past one year.

2. Proof of date of birth (any one)

Document	Born before 1 Oct 2023	Born on or after 1 Oct 2023
Birth certificate from the Registrar of Births and Deaths or municipal authority	Yes	Yes (the only accepted proof)
Transfer, school leaving or matriculation certificate	Yes	No
PAN card	Yes	No
Driving licence	Yes	No
Election Photo Identity Card	Yes	No
LIC or public company insurance policy bond	Yes	No
Service record extract or Pay Pension Order (government servants)	Yes	No

A PAN card, driving licence, voter ID or service record counts only if it shows the full, precise date of birth.

3. Proof for the Non-ECR category, if you claim it. ECR means Emigration Check Required. Most people qualify for Non-ECR with a matriculation (Class 10) or higher pass certificate. Others who qualify include persons above 50, income tax payers, and all children up to 18. If you cannot prove a Non-ECR category, ECR status is printed in the passport.

Minors. Proof of the child's date of birth, proof of present address (the parents' address proof is accepted), and Annexure D, a declaration signed by both parents. Carry the parents' original passports and self-attested copies if they have them. If one parent's consent cannot be obtained, Annexure C is used in its place with the reason stated. For a child below 4, carry a recent passport size photograph (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with a white background.

Tatkaal. In addition to the above, adults give any three and minors any two documents from the Tatkaal list, which includes Aadhaar, PAN card, voter ID (EPIC), driving licence, ration card, birth certificate, student photo ID, bank or post office passbook with photo, caste certificate, arms licence, pension document and government service photo ID. Minors must choose from the first six entries on the official list. You also sign the "Undertaking for Tatkaal Scheme" and bring it to the appointment.

Steps

Register. On passportindia.gov.in click "Register", fill your details and click "Sign Up". Confirm your email, then log in. The password expires every 3 months.
Choose the passport office. Select the Regional Passport Office (RPO) for the place you live in now. The PSKs under it are the ones offered when you book.
Start the application. Click "Services" on the dashboard, then the "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport" card. Choose fresh passport.
Fill the nine steps of the form: Passport Type, Applicant Details, Family Details, Address Details, Emergency Contact, Previous Passport, Other Details, Passport Preview and Details Verification. Under Passport Type you choose Normal or Tatkaal and the 36 or 60 page booklet. You can save and resume.
Check every spelling and date, then submit. An Application Reference Number (ARN) is generated. The form cannot be edited after submission.
Pay and book. Open the submitted application and use "Pay and Schedule Appointment". Select online payment, the appointment quota, and the PSK or POPSK you prefer. The portal shows the next available date. Click "Pay and Book Appointment" and complete the payment by card, internet banking or UPI. Payment before booking is mandatory.
Wait for the SMS with the appointment details. The SMS is accepted as proof of appointment; a printed receipt is not required.
Visit the Kendra on the day. The applicant must be present in person, including infants. Your documents are checked against the form, and your photograph and fingerprints are taken. For a minor, both parents should come, or one parent carrying both parents' passports.
Police verification. If your case needs it, the police verify your particulars at your address. Track the file meanwhile.
Receive the passport by Speed Post at the present address in your form. It cannot be collected from the office.

If you do not visit the Kendra within 90 days of submitting the online form, you have to submit the form again.

Fees

Fees were revised with effect from 1 July 2026.

Fresh passport	Application fee	Extra for Tatkaal
Adult, 36 pages, 10 year validity	Rs 2,500	Rs 2,500
Adult, 60 pages, 10 year validity	Rs 3,500	Rs 2,500
Minor (below 18), 36 pages, 5 year validity or till 18, whichever is earlier	Rs 1,750	Rs 2,500
Minor aged 15 to 18 choosing a 10 year passport, 36 pages	Rs 2,500	Rs 2,500
Minor aged 15 to 18 choosing a 10 year passport, 60 pages	Rs 3,500	Rs 2,500

The Tatkaal fee is paid on top of the application fee, so a 36 page adult Tatkaal passport costs Rs 5,000.
A rebate of 10 percent on the basic passport fee applies to fresh applications for children aged 8 or below and senior citizens above 60. Check the exact amount on the portal's Fee Calculator.
The fee is non-refundable and cannot be moved to another ARN. A payment stays valid for one year.
Police verification carries no separate charge on the fee table. Do not pay anyone for it.

How long it takes

Normal: the Ministry's Citizen's Charter gives up to 30 working days for a fresh passport, counted from complete documents and not including the time the police take to verify.
Tatkaal: up to 3 working days, if you are eligible. The passport is dispatched without waiting for the police report; verification is done afterwards.
Police verification has three modes: before issue (most fresh applications), after issue (Tatkaal and some other cases), or none. The Passport Office decides. For residents of Jammu and Kashmir verification is done at both the permanent and the present address.

How to check status

Online: on the portal home page choose "Track Passport Application". Select the application type "Passport/PCC/IC/GEP", enter your File Number and date of birth.
By phone: call the National Call Center on 1800-258-1800 with your file number and date of birth.
After dispatch: use the India Post Speed Post tracking service for the consignment.

Common problems

Fake websites. The Ministry warns of lookalike sites that charge extra to fill the form. The only official site is www.passportindia.gov.in, along with the Passport Seva mobile app.
Mistake noticed after submission. The online form cannot be changed. You get a chance to verify the particulars at the Kendra; point out errors there.
Tatkaal application put on hold. If the Tatkaal documents are missing or not in order, the file is held and loses the fast track. If documents are not produced within 90 days of the hold, the application is closed.
Not eligible for Tatkaal. The scheme is closed to several categories, including persons of Jammu and Kashmir origin and of Naga origin, any change of name, citizens by registration or naturalisation, adopted children, minors with a single parent or applying with Annexure C, applicants whose present address is outside the RPO's jurisdiction, and those with pending criminal court matters.
Missed or inconvenient appointment. Appointments can be rescheduled, but only a limited number of times (once for Tatkaal). The portal's own pages differ on whether a normal appointment can be moved two or three times, so do not count on the third.
Money deducted but payment shows failed. The Fee Payment FAQ says SBI refunds the amount to your bank within seven working days.
Passport returned undelivered. Contact the Regional Passport Office with an application and proof of present address to have it sent again.
Complaint. Use Feedback / Grievance on the portal, call 1800-258-1800, or file on CPGRAMS (pgportal.gov.in).

FAQ

Can I apply for a passport fully online?

No. The form, fee and appointment are online, but every applicant, including an infant, must visit the PSK or POPSK in person for document checking, photograph and fingerprints.

What is the fee for a new passport in 2026?

Rs 2,500 for a 36 page adult passport and Rs 3,500 for 60 pages, with effect from 1 July 2026. A minor's 5 year passport is Rs 1,750. Tatkaal adds Rs 2,500 to any of these.

How many days does a Tatkaal passport take?

The official standard is up to 3 working days once the application is granted at the Kendra, without waiting for police verification. You must be in an eligible category and carry the extra Tatkaal documents.

Is police verification compulsory for a new passport?

In most fresh adult cases, yes, and it is done before the passport is issued. Exceptions include government employees who submit an Identity Certificate (Annexure A) and, generally, minors whose parent holds a valid passport with the spouse's name endorsed and where both parents consent. The Passport Office takes the final decision.

Do both parents have to come for a child's passport?

Both parents should sign Annexure D. Both may attend, or one parent may attend carrying the passports of both. If one parent's consent cannot be obtained, the applying parent gives a declaration in Annexure C with the reason.

Can a 16 year old get a 10 year passport?

Yes. A minor between 15 and 18 can choose a passport valid till 18 or a full 10 year passport. The 10 year option costs the adult fee and is processed with police verification before issue.

Do I need to bring photographs to the PSK?

Your photograph is taken at the Kendra. The portal asks you to carry a printed photograph only for a child below 4 years.

Will I get an ePassport?

An ePassport has a chip in the booklet and a small gold symbol on the front cover. You get one if the Passport Office you apply under has been enabled to issue them. Existing passports remain valid till their expiry date, and replacing one is not mandatory.

Can I apply from a city where I am living on rent?

Yes. You may apply at any PSK or RPO in India and need proof of only your present address, such as a rent agreement or utility bill. Tatkaal is the exception: it is not available if your present address is outside the jurisdiction of the RPO.

Official links

Sources

Every fee, time limit, form and address above was read on these official pages on 13 October 2026.

Passport Seva, Fee Structure Supports Application fee and additional Tatkaal fee for every booklet type and age group; fee is non-refundable; 10 percent rebate for minors up to 8 and senior citizens above 60 on fresh applications
Passport Seva, Fee Calculator Supports Rebate wording (fresh applications only, not re-issue); the Fee Calculator exists and is the tool the portal points to
Passport Seva, Process to apply for Fresh / Reissue Ordinary Passport Supports Button and menu labels (Register, Sign Up, Services, "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport", "Pay and Schedule Appointment", "Pay and Book Appointment"); nine form steps; ARN; no changes after submission; payment before appointment; password expires every 3 months; 90 day limit to visit the PSK; photo for children below 4; apply at any PSK or RPO; rescheduling three times (once for Tatkaal); notice that fees were revised from 1 July 2026
Passport Seva, Document Advisor for a fresh passport (run for a normal adult and a normal minor case) Supports Mandatory documents for an ordinary adult case (present address, date of birth, Non-ECR proof) and an ordinary minor case (address, date of birth, Annexure D); originals plus one set of self-attested copies; minor notes; list of special cases; ECR and ECNR meaning
Passport Seva, Proof of Address, list of acceptable documents Supports The 12 accepted address proofs; present address only; Aadhaar validation; parents' address proof for minors
Passport Seva, Proof of Date of Birth, list of acceptable documents Supports Accepted date of birth proofs; birth certificate only for persons born on or after 1 October 2023
Passport Seva, Documents Required for Non-ECR Supports Non-ECR categories and the document for each (matriculation certificate, age above 50, income tax payers, minors and others)
Passport Seva, Documents Required for Tatkaal Application Supports Three extra documents for adults and two for minors; the list of 13 documents; list of categories not eligible for Tatkaal; Undertaking for Tatkaal Scheme; one reschedule only
Passport Seva, FAQ, Tatkaal Passports Supports No Gazetted Officer verification certificate needed; dispatch on the third working day once the status is Granted; Normal and Tatkaal appointment quota; payment modes; application put on hold and closed after 90 days if documents are missing
Passport Seva, FAQ, Police Verification Supports Pre and post police verification; who decides; minors whose parents hold passports; government employees with Annexure A, G or H; verification at both addresses for J and K residents; pending criminal case and court permission
Passport Seva, FAQ, Services Available Supports 36 or 60 page ordinary passport; 10 year validity for adults; 5 years or till 18 for minors; 15 to 18 option; every applicant including infants must be present for biometrics and photograph; Annexure C and D rules; no endorsement of a child in a parent's passport
Passport Seva, FAQ, Fee Payment Supports Online payment mandatory; payment modes; fee valid for one year; fee cannot be moved to another ARN; SMS accepted as appointment proof; rescheduling limit stated as two times; failed payment refund by SBI
Passport Seva, FAQ, Where to apply Supports What a PSK, POPSK and Passport Office are; applicant must be physically present; a fresh passport cannot be applied for at the Passport Office itself
Passport Seva, FAQ, Postal Dispatch and Tracking Supports Dispatch by Speed Post to the present address; no personal collection; what to do if returned undelivered
Passport Seva, FAQ, ePassport Supports What an ePassport is; existing passports stay valid; issued as each Passport Office is enabled
Passport Seva, FAQ, Call Centre Supports Status by phone on 1800-258-1800 with file number and date of birth; grievance by phone
Passport Seva, Track Application Status Supports Status form fields (Application Type, File Number, Date of Birth)
Passport Seva, Special Cases Of Minors Requiring Passports Supports When Annexure C is used in place of Annexure D; single parent cases
Ministry of External Affairs, Citizen's Charter (PDF) Supports Up to 30 working days for a fresh passport with the police verification period excluded; up to 3 working days for Tatkaal; grievance routes; passport.pg@mea.gov.in
Passport Seva, Application Form Instruction Booklet V3.0 (PDF) Supports Citizenship by birth, descent, registration or naturalisation as asked in the form; minors below 15 get 5 years or till 18; photograph not required at a PSK or POPSK. An older document, used only for these points
Passport Seva, home page notices Supports National Call Center 1800-258-1800; alert on fake passport websites; Tatkaal advisory; Passport Seva mobile app
Passport Seva, Feedback / Grievance Supports Where to register and track a grievance; CPGRAMS

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