How to Apply for Passport for Minor Child — Documents, Process & Parental Consent

Getting a passport for your child in India involves more than just filling a form. Depending on your child's age, your family situation (both parents together, single parent, divorced, or separated), and the documents you hold — the process changes significantly. This comprehensive guide covers every scenario so you can apply with confidence.

Quick version: If you just need basic steps, see our Child / Minor Passport Apply guide. This guide goes deeper into age categories, annexures, and special family situations.

Age Categories for Minor Passport

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) classifies minor passport applicants into three age brackets, each with different rules:

1. Below 5 Years (Infants & Toddlers)

• Passport issued for 5 years or until the child turns 15, whichever is earlier (in practice, validity is 5 years from date of issue)
• No personal appearance of the child may be required at the counter, but the accompanying parent must be present
• Passport booklet has 36 pages (standard)
• No ECR (Emigration Check Required) stamp — all minor passports are ECNR by default
• Address proof of parents is accepted as the child's address proof

2. Age 5 to 15 Years

• Passport valid for 5 years from date of issue
• Child must be physically present at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)
• Child's photograph is captured at the PSK (no need to carry photos separately for many PSKs)
• The child does not need to sign — the passport is issued with the note "minor" in place of signature

3. Age 15 to 18 Years (Teenage Minors)

• Can apply for either a 5-year minor passport or a 10-year regular passport
• If applying for a 10-year passport, the applicant must provide their own signature
• Personal appearance is mandatory
• The applicant can self-sign the application if 15 or above, but a parent must still accompany

Important: All minor passports (below 18) are issued without ECR status. This means no emigration check is required regardless of the parents' educational qualifications.

Parental Consent — The Core Requirement

The biggest complexity in a minor's passport is parental consent. The MEA requires consent from parents, and the specific form depends on your family situation.

Both Parents Available (Standard Case)

• Both parents' consent is required on the passport application
• Either parent can accompany the child to the PSK
• Both parents' names appear on the passport
• No annexure needed if both parents sign the application form

Single Parent Applying

If only one parent is applying (the other parent is alive but not applying together):

• Annexure C — Consent of the other parent giving No Objection Certificate (NOC)
• The non-accompanying parent signs Annexure C, which is a declaration of no objection to the passport being issued
• Annexure C must be signed on a ₹20 stamp paper or notarized

Divorced or Separated Parents

This is where it gets specific. Multiple annexures may apply:

• Annexure C — If the other parent gives consent despite being separated
• Annexure D — Declaration by the applicant parent when the other parent's consent cannot be obtained (spouse not traceable, not cooperating, or passport applied under court order)
• Annexure G — Declaration of the applicant parent giving information about the family, used when applying without the other parent's consent
• Annexure H — No Objection Certificate from the other parent, OR a court order granting custody and permission for passport issuance

When to Use Which Annexure

Key point: If you submit Annexure D (i.e., without the other parent's consent), the passport application is sent for police verification before issuance. This may add 2–4 weeks to the processing time.

Single Mother / Unwed Mother

• Can apply by submitting Annexure D (declaring that the other parent's consent is not available)
• Father's name is not mandatory on the passport — the passport can be issued with only the mother's name
• A 2016 Delhi High Court ruling and subsequent MEA policy change confirmed that a single mother does not need to provide the father's name

Documents Required

For All Minor Applicants

1. Completed Application Form — Fill online at passportindia.gov.in
2. Birth Certificate — Issued by the Municipal Corporation or equivalent authority (mandatory for all minors)
3. Address Proof — Of the parent(s): Aadhaar card, utility bill, bank statement, ration card, or voter ID
4. Parent's Passport (if available) — Copy of both parents' passports for linking
5. Photographs — Passport-size photos of the child (most PSKs capture photos on-site)

Age-Specific Additional Documents

Below 5 years:

• Birth certificate is the primary identity and age proof
• No school records needed
• Parent's Aadhaar or passport serves as address proof

5 to 15 years:

• Birth certificate
• School ID card or bonafide certificate (supplementary, not always mandatory)
• Baal Aadhaar card (useful as additional ID if available)

15 to 18 years:

• Birth certificate
• School ID / bonafide certificate from school or college
• Aadhaar card of the applicant (recommended)
• If applying for 10-year passport: educational qualification certificate (Class 10 marksheet)

Documents for Special Family Situations

Step-by-Step Application Process

Online Application

1. Register on Passport Seva Portal — Create a login if you don't have one
2. Fill the application form — Select "Fresh Passport" and applicant type "Minor"
3. Enter child's details — Name, date of birth, place of birth
4. Enter parent/guardian details — Both parents' names and details
5. Upload documents — Scanned copies if applying through online mode
6. Pay the fee — Online payment via net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI
7. Book appointment — Select your nearest PSK or POPSK and choose a date
8. Print the Application Receipt — Carry this to the PSK

At the Passport Seva Kendra

1. Arrive on time with the child, appointment receipt, and all original documents
2. Token counter (A) — Document verification
3. Counter B — Biometric capture (photograph; fingerprints only for children 5+)
4. Counter C — Final verification by the granting officer
5. Collect acknowledgment — You'll receive a receipt with the file number

Tip: For children below 5, the process is usually faster since no biometrics (fingerprints) are captured.

After the PSK Visit

• If no police verification is needed (both parents consented), the passport may be dispatched within 3–7 working days
• If police verification is triggered (Annexure D cases, address mismatch, etc.), expect 2–4 weeks additional time
• Track status at passportindia.gov.in using your file number

For details on what to expect during verification, see our Passport Police Verification Process guide.

Fee Structure for Minor Passport

Note: Tatkal passport for minors with Annexure D may not be processed in tatkal timelines due to mandatory police verification. Fees are non-refundable.

Police Verification for Minors

Police verification for minor passports is triggered in specific situations:

• Annexure D submitted — When the other parent's consent is not obtained
• Address mismatch — Child's address differs from parent's documented address
• First-time passport with Annexure D — Almost always requires verification
• Prior passport was revoked or impounded

What Happens During Verification?

1. Local police station receives a request from the RPO (Regional Passport Office)
2. A constable or officer visits the address provided in the application
3. They verify the address, speak with the parent, and confirm basic details
4. Report is sent back to RPO — passport is issued or rejected based on findings

Timeline: Police verification typically takes 2–4 weeks, but can extend to 6 weeks in some areas. Check our Police Verification guide for tips on speeding this up.

Passport Validity for Minors

• Below 18 years: Passport is valid for 5 years from date of issue, or until the child turns 18 — whichever is earlier
• 15–18 years (10-year option): If a teenager between 15-18 opts for a 10-year passport, the passport is valid for 10 years but needs to be re-issued at 18 (since the photograph changes significantly)
• No ECR: All minor passports carry ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) status by default
• Renewal: When the passport expires or the child turns 18, apply for re-issue as a fresh adult passport with the old minor passport as reference

Baal Passport Seva Initiative

The MEA launched the Baal Passport Seva initiative to make the passport process easier for children:

• Dedicated counters at select PSKs for minor passport applications
• Faster processing — Aimed at reducing wait time for families with young children
• Child-friendly environment at participating PSKs
• Available at major PSKs in metropolitan cities

This initiative is part of the MEA's broader effort to simplify passport services. Check the Passport Seva Portal for participating PSKs near you.

Related: If your child doesn't have an Aadhaar card yet, see our Baal Aadhaar / Child Aadhaar Card guide — it's useful as a supporting document.

Important Tips

1. Book appointments early — PSK slots fill up fast, especially in metro cities. Book 1–2 weeks in advance.
2. Carry originals + photocopies — Always bring original documents and at least one set of photocopies.
3. Both parents don't need to visit — Only one parent needs to accompany the child, provided the other parent has signed the application or given Annexure C.
4. Annexure on stamp paper — Annexures C, D, G, and H should be on ₹20 non-judicial stamp paper or notarized on plain paper, depending on your state's rules.
5. Don't delay police verification — If a police constable calls, cooperate promptly. Delays in verification delay the passport.
6. Keep your child's birth certificate safe — It's the single most important document for a minor passport and will be needed for renewal too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for my newborn baby's passport immediately after birth?

Yes, you can apply as soon as you have the birth certificate. There is no minimum age requirement. Many parents apply within the first few months. You'll need the baby's birth certificate, parents' address proof, and parents' passport copies.

Is father's name mandatory on a minor's passport?

No. Following a 2016 policy change by MEA, the father's name is not mandatory. A single mother can apply with only her name on the child's passport by submitting Annexure D.

What if one parent refuses to give consent for the child's passport?

You can apply using Annexure D (declaring that the other parent's consent could not be obtained) along with Annexure G. This will trigger police verification, which may add 2–4 weeks, but the passport can still be issued. If you have a court order granting custody, submit that with Annexure H for a smoother process.

Can grandparents apply for a minor's passport?

No, only parents or legal guardians can apply. Grandparents can accompany the child to the PSK if they have a notarized authorization letter from the parent, but the application itself must be in the parent's or legal guardian's name.

How long does it take to get a minor's passport?

For normal applications with both parents' consent: 7–15 working days. If police verification is triggered (Annexure D cases): 3–6 weeks. Tatkal processing (when applicable): 1–3 working days, but tatkal is not available for Annexure D cases.

Can a minor passport be renewed, or do I need to apply fresh?

Minor passports are always re-issued rather than renewed. When the passport expires or the child turns 18, you apply for a fresh passport (re-issue) and submit the old passport. The process is similar to a fresh application.

Is Aadhaar card mandatory for a minor's passport?

Aadhaar is not mandatory for minors below 15 years. The birth certificate is the primary document. However, having a Baal Aadhaar card can serve as useful supplementary ID. For applicants aged 15–18, Aadhaar is strongly recommended.

What happens if the passport is issued with only one parent's name and later I want to add the other parent?

You'll need to apply for re-issue of the passport with updated details. Both parents must consent for the change. Submit the original passport, a new application, and the required documents including both parents' consent.

Related Guides

• How to Apply for Passport Online — Full adult passport process
• Child / Minor Passport — Quick Guide — Simplified version
• Passport Police Verification Process — What to expect
• Baal Aadhaar / Child Aadhaar Card — Get your child's Aadhaar

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent informational platform and is not affiliated with the Government of India or the Ministry of External Affairs. Information is compiled from official MEA sources and is kept updated, but always verify details on passportindia.gov.in before applying. Fees and rules may change — check the official portal for the latest.