Apply & Renew Indian Passport Online 2026 — Complete Guide

Indian passports can now be applied entirely online at passportindia.gov.in with appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Here's everything you need — step by step.

Types of Passport Applications

Documents Required — Fresh Passport

Identity Proof (any one):

• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• Voter ID
• Driving licence

Address Proof (any one — current address):

• Aadhaar card (current address must match)
• Voter ID
• Utility bill (less than 3 months old)
• Bank passbook/statement (less than 3 months)
• Driving licence

Date of Birth Proof (any one):

• Birth certificate (most preferred)
• School leaving certificate / SSLC with DOB
• PAN card
• Voter ID
• Aadhaar (if DOB mentioned)

Additional (if applicable):

• Marriage certificate (for name change after marriage)
• Deed poll / gazette notification (for name change)
• Parents' passports (for minor passports)

Documents for Passport Renewal

• Old passport (original — all pages) mandatory
• Current address proof if address changed from old passport
• Court affidavit if name changed

Step-by-Step: Apply Online

Step 1: Register on Passport Seva Portal

1. Go to passportindia.gov.in
2. "New User? Register Here"
3. Create account: Name, email, login ID, password
4. Email verification

Step 2: Fill Passport Application Form

1. Login → "Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport"
2. Select: 36-page or 60-page
3. Fill form: Personal details, family details, emergency contact, previous passports (if any)
4. Declaration → Submit form
5. Note the Application Reference Number (ARN)

Step 3: Pay Fees and Book Appointment

1. Pay fees online: Net banking / UPI / Debit card
2. Book appointment at nearest PSK/POPSK:
   • Choose nearest city
   • Select available date + time slot
3. Print/save Appointment Confirmation

Step 4: Visit Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Documents to carry on appointment day:

• Appointment confirmation printout
• Original + self-attested photocopies of all documents
• Application reference number (ARN)

At PSK:

1. Document verification at counter A
2. Data verification at counter B
3. Photo + biometrics (fingerprint) at counter C
4. Supervisor verification (if needed) at counter D
5. Grant letter received (final status by officer)

Step 5: Police Verification

• Police may visit your address for verification (within 7–14 days for normal; before appointment for Tatkal)
• Keep your address proof ready
• Ensure someone is home when police visit

Step 6: Passport Delivered

• Passport printed at printing centre → Dispatched via Speed Post
• Normal passport: 15–30 working days after PSK appointment
• Tatkal: 1–3 working days after PSK appointment

Tatkal Passport — How It Works

Tatkal is an urgent category with faster processing:

Extra charges: ₹2,000 more than normal (total: ₹3,500 for 36-page)

Key difference: Police verification done AFTER dispatch (post-police verification) for Tatkal — you get the passport faster. If police verification reveals issues later, passport can be revoked.

When to choose Tatkal:

• Urgent travel (medical emergency, visa deadline, sudden work requirement)
• Exam abroad / visa interview in 1–2 weeks

Track Passport Status

1. passportindia.gov.in → "Track Application Status"
2. Enter application number + date of birth
3. Status updates at each stage: Granted, Printed, Dispatched, Delivered

Passport Validity and Renewal Timeline

PSK vs POPSK — Which to Choose?

Recommendation: For smaller cities without PSK nearby, POPSK is excellent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Passport application rejected — what to do? If rejected at PSK (documents incomplete/mismatch): Get a refund reference, fix the issue, apply fresh. Rejection reasons are mentioned in the letter given at PSK. Common reasons: Address mismatch between Aadhaar and form, DOB mismatch, document not self-attested.

Can I track when police verification will happen? After PSK appointment: Check status at passportindia.gov.in → "Track Application Status" → Shows "Police Verification Sent/Received." Police don't give prior notice — they may visit anytime between 9 AM – 6 PM on working days.

I submitted Aadhaar as address proof but my current address is different — is this a problem? Yes — if Aadhaar shows old address: Use a utility bill or bank statement showing the new address. Alternatively: Update Aadhaar address first (myAadhaar portal), then apply for passport.

Minor passport — do both parents need to be present at PSK? If both parents are alive: Both should ideally be present (one parent + minor is sufficient for most PSKs but specific requirements vary). If single parent: Bring court order / death certificate of other parent.

Passport fees — are they refundable if appointment is cancelled? Yes — paid fees are valid for 1 year. If you miss your appointment, you can reschedule using the same payment reference. Fees are refundable only if your passport application is rejected due to a government error (rare).