Overview
Start by choosing the right passport path.
Most confusion comes from picking the wrong application type or scheme. This cheat sheet keeps the first decision simple.
Fresh passport
For first-time applicants who have never held an Indian passport.
Choose this when you are applying for your very first booklet.
Re-issue
For expiry, near-expiry, exhausted pages, change in particulars, lost, or damaged passport cases.
This is the route most renewals and profile changes fall under.
Normal scheme
Standard processing route. Police verification may be pre-issue, post-issue, or not required depending on the case.
Best when you do not need urgent dispatch.
Tatkaal scheme
Urgent processing option with an additional government fee and post-police verification in all such cases.
Use when time matters and your case is eligible for Tatkaal.
Timelines
The official time windows to keep in mind.
These are public Citizen Charter signals, not promises for every edge case. Verification complexity can extend real-world timing.
Fresh passport
Up to 30 working days
Citizen Charter timeline for fresh issue, excluding the police verification period.
Re-issue
Up to 7 or 30 working days
Up to 7 working days when pre-police verification is not required, and up to 30 when it is required.
Tatkaal
Up to 3 working days
Subject to Tatkaal eligibility. The Citizen Charter also notes an additional Tatkaal charge.
Required documents
Think in document groups, not one giant checklist.
The official Document Advisor changes the exact list based on age, scheme, and reason for application. These groups help you prepare the right bucket of documents before you begin.
Fresh passport essentials
- Proof of present address
- Proof of date of birth
- Any category-specific documents shown by the Passport Seva Document Advisor
- Originals plus one set of self-attested photocopies at the PSK or POPSK
Re-issue essentials
- Existing passport details are mandatory
- Supporting proof for the reason for re-issue such as expiry, exhaustion of pages, address change, or change in personal particulars
- Extra paperwork may be needed for lost, damaged, or major name-change cases
- Bring originals and self-attested photocopies of all supporting documents
Minor applications
- Parent address proof can be used for present address proof
- Carry parents’ passports if available
- Consent assumptions and supporting declarations can change by family situation
- For minors below 15, passport validity is limited to 5 years or until age 18, whichever is earlier
Tatkaal guidance
- No separate proof of urgency is required
- Post-police verification is done in all Tatkaal cases
- Adults typically need a stronger supporting document set than a basic normal application
- Always confirm your exact eligibility and document list in the official Document Advisor before paying
Process
The passport journey, step by step.
This is the simplest mental model for how a normal public Indian passport application moves from account creation to dispatch.
Register or sign in
Create your Passport Seva account, choose whether you need a fresh passport or a re-issue, and decide between Normal and Tatkaal.
Complete the application
Fill the online form carefully, matching your name, date of birth, address, and other personal details to your supporting records.
Pay and book appointment
Pay the government fee online, then book your Passport Seva Kendra or POPSK appointment slot.
Visit the PSK or POPSK
Carry originals and self-attested photocopies. Biometric capture, document checks, and case review happen at the appointment.
Police verification if applicable
Depending on the case, police verification can be pre-issue, post-issue, or skipped. Tatkaal cases follow post-police verification.
Track dispatch
Use the Passport Seva portal and SMS/email updates to follow status until the passport is printed and dispatched.
Register or sign in
Create your Passport Seva account, choose whether you need a fresh passport or a re-issue, and decide between Normal and Tatkaal.
Complete the application
Fill the online form carefully, matching your name, date of birth, address, and other personal details to your supporting records.
Pay and book appointment
Pay the government fee online, then book your Passport Seva Kendra or POPSK appointment slot.
Visit the PSK or POPSK
Carry originals and self-attested photocopies. Biometric capture, document checks, and case review happen at the appointment.
Police verification if applicable
Depending on the case, police verification can be pre-issue, post-issue, or skipped. Tatkaal cases follow post-police verification.
Track dispatch
Use the Passport Seva portal and SMS/email updates to follow status until the passport is printed and dispatched.
Government fees
Useful fee anchors before you calculate your exact amount.
These figures are meant to orient the applicant, not replace the official calculator. Exact fees vary by age bracket, booklet size, reason for re-issue, validity, and Tatkaal choice.
Adult 36-page booklet
Starts at Rs 1,500
Common base fee for an ordinary 36-page passport booklet.
Adult 60-page booklet
Starts at Rs 2,000
Useful for frequent travelers who need more visa pages.
Tatkaal surcharge
+ Rs 2,000
Citizen Charter states an additional Rs 2,000 is levied for Tatkaal.
Fresh application discount
10% fee discount
Official fee calculator notes this for minors up to age 8 and senior citizens above 60 on fresh applications.
Important fee note
The most reliable source of truth is the official Passport Seva fee calculator. Use it whenever your case involves a minor, a re-issue reason, or a special validity choice.
Different purposes
Why people usually need an Indian passport page like this.
Applicants often come with a reason first, not a category first. This section helps map real life situations to the likely passport path.
First passport
For students, professionals, or families applying for the first time.
Renew or re-issue
When the current booklet is expiring, expired, full, damaged, or no longer matches your details.
Urgent travel
Tatkaal can be the right fit when travel is close and your case is eligible.
Minor passport
Useful for school trips, family travel, OCI processing, and early identity readiness.
Address or name update
Covers marriage-related updates, relocation, and other personal-particular changes.
Frequent travel
A 60-page booklet helps travelers who regularly collect visas or immigration stamps.
FAQs
Common questions before the first appointment.
These answers are written to reduce the usual confusion, while still nudging the user back to the official tools for case specific validation.
Source note
Built from official public references, then simplified for humans.
This page summarizes public guidance from Passport Seva, the official fee calculator, the passport instruction booklet, and the Ministry of External Affairs Citizen Charter. It is a planning guide, not a legal substitute for the official portal.