📘Returning to India using an Emergency Certificate (EC)

• An EC (Emergency Certificate) is generally issued to Indian Citizens who wants to return to India when their passport is lost or stolen.
• It is valid only for returning to India and cannot be used for International travel like a regular passport.
• After arriving in India, you must apply for a passport renewal, and for this you have to apply online through Passport Seva Portal.

🛂 Passport Application Key Steps

• Apply Online at Passport Seva Portal.
  • Login, if you are already a registered user.
  • If not registered, create a new account.
  • Choose Renewal of Passport or Reissue of Passport (as second passport never issued afresh)
• Share your personal and family details
  • Share details of your Emergency Passport.
• Pay fee through online mode
  • Payment can be paid via Debit Card/Credit Card or Internet Banking.
  • If your lost passport is valid, the fee is Rs 3,000, while for an expired passport, the fee is Rs 1,500/-
• Choose PSK/POPSK
  • Choose nearest Passport Seva Kendra/Post Office Passport Seva Kendra to book an appointment.
  • Visit PSK/POPSK with all required documents on the scheduled appointment date.
• Biometric data and documents are verified at PSK
  • During passport issuance or renewal you have to go through a Passport Verification.
  • For this, your application file will be sent for the police verification.
• Visit Regional Passport Office
  • For verification, applicants may needs to visit the Regional Passport Office (RPO)
  • The RPO then forwards your file to Embasy for verfication.
• After police verification, if your report is positive and the embassy verification is also positive , your passport is issued and sent to your address via speed post.

📝Important Documents

• Emergency Certificate (EC)
• Identity Proof and Address Proof (Example Aadhaar Card, Voter ID or Driving License)
• Birth Proof (PAN Card or Birth Certificate)
• 10th Certificate (if available)
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable) submit Annexure 'J' form in the absence of marriage certificate.

⏱Passport Processing Time

Post your appointment, it will take around 2 to 2.5 months to issue the passport, as the RPO verifies the application with the Embassy.

📍Note *

Using an Emergency Certificate, you cannot apply for a passport renewal under the tatkal category. It must be submitted under the normal category.