How to Apply for a Passport

By pradeep , 26 July 2025

To get a new passport, you need to follow some steps, based on which your passport can be issued.

Generally, Passport applications fall into two categories
- General (Normal) Passport, and
- Tatkaal Passport

First, visit the official Passport Seva Website, where you can submit the passport application under the General/Re-issue or Tatkaal Passport category, whose process is almost similar.
To apply, create an account to generate a unique User ID and Password.
Log in using the generated details and apply for a new Passport.
Choose the required Normal/Tatkaal/Renewal passport service from the list. Now, accurately provide your personal, current and permanent address, and family information.
Upload the requisite documents in the given size and format. Then, pay the application fee as per your chosen category. You can also verify your payment status on the portal. According to your location, choose the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) and schedule your appointment.
Download and print your appointment letter from the Passport Seva Online Portal. On the appointment date, carry this letter along with the original documents with their printed copies and report to the PSK/POPSK at the scheduled date and time.

For document verification, it is mandatory to bring both the originals and copies of all required documents. At the PSK/POPSK, officials will verify your documents, capture your live photograph, and complete the biometric process.
After this, you will receive a final acknowledgement receipt.
For renewal applications, a "cancel" stamp and a small hole are applied to the old passport. After this, the police verification process starts.
Applicants who visited POPSK for document verification, the respective centre will forward their file to the Regional Passport Office (RPO) for further processing, followed by the police verification.

The applicant's request for a new or renewed passport is forwarded to the Senior Superintendent Police Officer, who sends it to LIU (Local Intelligence Unit)/Police Station for address verification. Post verification, the LIU submits its final report to the RPO (Regional Passport Office).
If the report is satisfactory, the Regional Passport Office will proceed with printing the passport.
If the submitted report has discrepancies, the RPO puts the printing process on hold and asks the applicants to visit the RPO with relevant details. Post this, a fresh verification is then conducted by the LIU.
Typically, the verification takes around a week. Before verification for verification, the LIU officer informs the applicant.

After successful verification, the passport application is forwarded for printing at the India Security Press, Nashik. After printing, the passport is sent to the Regional Passport Office for a final check.
Once authentication is completed, the passport is dispatched to the applicant's respective address through India Post. To receive it, the applicants (or their mother, father or spouse) need to present a valid identity proof.
Applicants can also track their passport online by logging into their account or using the speed post tracking number.
If the postman cannot find the applicant's address or contact number, the passport is marked as undelivered and returned to the Regional Passport Office. The applicants must then visit the Regional Passport Office, explain the issue and request the passport to be sent again.

Passport holder must renew their passport at least 1 year or six months before expiry.
Even if the passport holder renews their passport after expiry or 1-3 years later, it will be treated as a renewal.
For minors, the validity of a passport is five years, and it must be renewed in the period of 5 years or converted to an adult passport upon attaining the adulthood, whichever is earlier.

To know the list of documents required for a passport, tap on the Documents.

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