Posted on: Apr 6, 2023 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

A Step-By-Step Guide To Renewing Your Passport In India

Guide To Renewing Your Passport In India

The passport is a crucial document that not only acts as identity proof and proof of citizenship but also allows one to travel internationally. However, passports have a limited validity period, and when they expire, they must be renewed to continue using them as valid travel documents. If you are a citizen of India and your passport is nearing its expiration date, you may be wondering how to renew it. The passport renewal process can seem overwhelming, but it is not as complicated as it may appear. In this article, we will go through the steps of passport renewal in India, so you can focus on planning your next adventure without any worries. However, do not forget to take international travel insurance in order to protect yourself against any financial drainage due to mishaps during the travel.

Steps to Renew Indian Passport Online

If you’re wondering how to renew the passport in India, the first step is creating an account on the official website of Passport Seva. This can easily be done by following these steps:

1. Navigate to the Passport Seva website and choose "New User Registration."

2. Select the passport office that corresponds with your home address.

3. Enter your personal details, such as your name and email address, and make a login ID with a password. Complete the captcha and press the "Register" option.

4. You will receive an email containing an account activation link. To activate your account, click the link.

5. After you have successfully registered, you can proceed to apply for passport renewal or a new passport.

Once you have created your account, follow these simple steps for the passport renewal process online:

1. Visit the Passport Seva website and select "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport."

2. Complete the online application form with all relevant details, like your name, date of birth, and place of birth.

3. Click on "Validate" once you have completed the form

4. Review every detail to ensure they are correct, and then upload and submit the form.

Additionally, you can also fill out an e-Form after downloading it and upload it to the website to solve the issue of “how to renew the passport in India”.

How to Schedule an Appointment for Passport Renewal?

The next step of “how to renew the passport in India” is to book an appointment slot for your, follow the given steps:

1. Use your user ID and password to enter the Passport Seva website

2. Navigate to the "View Saved and Submitted Application" section and select the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link

3. Choose a suitable appointment slot and make the required online payment. The fee amount may vary with respect to the application type (normal/tatkal) and the number of pages in your passport book

4. You can make the payment online using various methods such as SBI Bank Challan, credit/debit cards (only Visa and MasterCard), or internet banking (SBI and other banks)

5. Select the "Print Application Receipt" option to get the appointment number or the application reference number.

When Can You Apply for Passport Renewal?

The passport renewal process time varies in the case of adults and minors.

1. Adults can put in an application for passport renewal up to a year before their current passport expires

2. Minors who hold a valid passport for either 5 years or until they turn 18 years of age (whichever comes first) can apply for a re-issue of their passport once it expires

3. Additionally, minors between 15 and 18 years of age can apply for a passport with 10-year validity, provided that their current passport has at least one year of validity remaining.

Documents Required for Passport Renewal:

To successfully renew your passport in India, you will need to provide the following documents:

A. For Adults:

a. Old passport

b. No Objection Certificate or NOC

c. Intimation letter

d. Self-attested copies of the first and last two pages of your passport, the SVP or short validity passport's validity extension page, the non-ECR/ ECR page, and the passport issuing body's page of observations.

B. For Minor Applicants:

a. A recent 4.5 x 3.5 cm passport photo with a white background

b. Proof of present residency in the parent's name

c. Documents attested by the parents on the minor's behalf.

It's essential to note that the documents required for passport renewal may vary depending on the renewal type and the applicant's age.

What Are the Fees and Charges for Passport Renewal?

The cost to renew one's passport varies based on various factors, such as an applicant's age, the number of pages chosen for inclusion in their booklet, and the scheme chosen. Below is a breakdown of the renewal fee structure of an Indian passport:

Sr. No. Service Required Application Fee Additional Tatkaal Fee
1 New Passport/Re-issue of Passport,
along with additional booklet because
of visa pages (36 pages) exhaustion of 10 years' validity
Rs.1,500/-* Rs.2,000/-*
2 New Passport/Re-issue of Passport, along with
additional booklet because of visa pages
(60 pages) exhaustion of 10 years' validity
Rs.2,000/- Rs.2,000/-
3 Fresh/Reissue Passport for Minors under 18 Years
Old is valid for five years (or until attaining 18th
whichever comes earlier), consisting of 36 pages.
Rs.1,000/- Rs.2,000/-
4 Replacement of passport (36 pages) because
of lost, stolen, or damaged passport
Rs.3,000/- Rs.2,000/-
5 Replacement of passport (60 pages) because
of lost, stolen, or damaged passport
Rs.3,500/- Rs.2,000/-
6 Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Rs.500/- NA
7 Replacement Passport with 36 Pages to Deleting
ECR/Change Personal Particulars (10 year validity).
Rs.1,500/- Rs.2,000/-
8 Replacement Passport with 60 Pages to Deleting
ECR/Change Personal Particulars (10 year validity).
Rs.2,000/- Rs.2,000/-
9 Replacement of Passport (36 pages) for deletion
of ECR/ Change in personal particulars for Minors
(below 18 years of Age), of 5 years validity or till
the minor attains the age of 18 whichever is earlier.
Rs.1,000/- Rs.2,000/-

*This rule also extends to minors aged between 15 to 18 years who desire to obtain a full 10-year validity passport.

Processing Time Taken for Passport Renewal

Let’s look at the time required to renew the passports:

Type of Passport Time required
Normal 30-60 days
Tatkal 3-7 days

What Are the Passport Renewal Rules?

It's essential to note that passport renewal and re-issue are two different processes. Passport renewal involves the passport authority renewing your existing passport, while re-issue entails receiving a fresh passport.

Renewal is only possible when your passport expires, whereas re-issue is necessary for the following circumstances:

1. Stolen passport

2. Lost passport

3. Damaged passport

4. Change in personal information

5. Page exhaustion.

How to Track Your Passport Renewal Status?

To track the status of your passport renewal process, follow the steps given below:

1. Visit the official Passport Seva website

2. On the homepage, locate and click on the 'Track Application Status' tab

3. Choose the appropriate application type from the options provided, i.e., Passport/IC/PCC/GEP.

4. Enter your passport's file number and your date of birth

5. Click on the 'Track Status' option, and your passport renewal status will be displayed on the screen.

Conclusion

Renewing a passport in India has become much easier with the online passport renewal process. You can now apply for a passport renewal from the comfort of your home or office without the need to visit a Passport Seva Kendra.

It's important to note that when planning international trips, considering Travel Insurance is crucial to ensure you have the necessary coverage for unexpected events.

FAQs

1. How long will my passport be valid after renewal?

After renewing your passport, the validity will be determined by the Assistant Passport Officer/RPO. The maximum validity you can be granted is ten years.

2. How many days before expiry can I renew my passport?

You can apply for Indian passport renewal within nine to twelve months before its expiry date.

3. Can I correct any mistake made on the application form?

It's not possible to make corrections to a submitted passport application form online. You'll need to visit the Passport Seva Kendra in person and request the Citizen Service Executive to make the required changes.

4. How to renew passport online India?

To address the issue of “how to renew passport online India”, you need to visit the Passport Seva website and follow the steps explained above.

5. Do I need a passport agent for my passport renewal?

Renewing your passport is straightforward and transparent. Most people do not really require a passport agent, but the choice is yours.

6. How do I renew my passport?

Renewing your passport is very simple and includes a few easy steps. Passport holders can renew their passports online or offline. You can visit the Passport Seva Website, create an account, and then proceed with the next steps of renewal. For those who wish to renew their passport offline, you need to download the application form from the Passport Seva website's homepage. Locate the "Forms and Affidavits" tab, and under that, you can find the option "Print Application Form."

7. When should I renew my passport?

A normal passport in India is valid for 10 years. You can make a re-issue of your passport no earlier than one year before the passport expires. On the other hand, if any changes on personal particulars are required, or your passport is lost/damaged, or pages of your passport have been used up, then you are allowed to apply for re-issue.

8. What documents do I need for passport renewal?

The documents needed for passport renewal are as follows:

• Your original passport.

• Photocopies of the initial and last two pages of your passport with self-attestations have also been provided for review.

• Photocopy of ECR/Non-ECR Page that has been signed and self-attested.

• Photocopy of an observation made by the Passport Issuing Authority that has been self-attested.

• Photocopy of the validity extension page from an expired short-validity passport, the passport that has been self-attested.

• Proof of your current address in case your current address does not match that stated in your old passport.

• Children aged under 4 should carry an up-to-date passport-sized photo with a white background. 

9. How long does it take to renew a passport?

The time required for passport renewal depends on which scheme you select; under normal renewal circumstances, this could take 30-60 days. Yet, with the Tatkaal Scheme, renewal typically occurs 3-7 days later.

10. Can I renew my passport if it's expired?

One can renew their passport before the expiration date of one year. In case you fail to renew your passport before the expiration date and do the same after one year after the expiration date, then you need to fill out an affidavit (Form 1).

11. Do I need to provide new photos for passport renewal?

No, you do not need to provide new photos for passport renewal. 

12. Can I renew my passport online?

Yes, you can renew your passport online by visiting the Passport Seva website.

13. Can I track the status of my passport renewal application?

Yes, it is possible to track your passport application status both online and offline. Moreover, you can download the m-Passport Seva App to track the passport without needing to visit the website.

To check the application status of your passport, you need two things:

• 15-digit file number that you receive after submitting the passport application

• Date of birth

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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