Tatkal Passport, Lost Passport, Name Change & Other Special Passport Cases

What This Guide Covers

This guide covers special passport situations — not regular fresh passport or renewal. If you need those, see:

• How to apply for a fresh passport
• How to renew your passport
• Track your passport status
• Apply for a child/minor passport

Below we cover: Tatkal passport, lost passport, damaged passport, ECR/ECNR, name/address change, spouse name addition, appearance change, and additional booklet pages.

1. Tatkal Passport — Urgent/Emergency Passport

Tatkal scheme is for people who need a passport urgently and cannot wait for normal processing (30–45 days). Under Tatkal, your passport can be issued within 1 to 3 working days.

Who Can Apply?

• Any Indian citizen applying for a fresh passport or re-issue
• Both 36-page and 60-page booklets are eligible
• Available for adults and minors

Tatkal Passport Fees

Note: Tatkal fee is ₹2,000 extra on top of the normal passport fee. This is non-refundable.

Documents Required for Tatkal Passport

All documents required for a normal passport, plus:

• Annexure F — Verification Certificate signed by any one of the following:
  • Gazetted officer
  • Member of Parliament or MLA
  • First class Judicial Magistrate
  • Officers of PSU or statutory bodies of the level of Group A
• Proof of urgency (optional, but helps):
  • Medical emergency documents
  • Employment abroad letter
  • Student admission letter from foreign university

If you cannot provide Annexure F, you can still apply for Tatkal, but police verification will happen before passport issuance (which may add a few days).

How to Apply for Tatkal Passport — Step by Step

1. Visit passportindia.gov.in or use the mPassport Seva app
2. Register/Login to your account
3. Click "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport"
4. Select "Tatkal" in the application type dropdown
5. Fill the form — personal details, family details, address
6. Upload documents — including Annexure F if available
7. Pay the Tatkal fee online (₹3,500 for 36-page booklet)
8. Book appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO)
9. Visit PSK/RPO on appointment date with original documents
10. Police verification — usually done after issuance for Tatkal with Annexure F, or before issuance without it

Tatkal Processing Time

• With Annexure F: 1–3 working days from PSK visit
• Without Annexure F: 3–7 working days (police verification happens first)

Important Points

• Tatkal passports issued within 1 year of application cannot have ECR (Emigration Check Required) endorsement changed
• If your address proof does not match your present address, police verification may be required even with Annexure F
• Tatkal is also available for re-issue (renewal, damaged, lost cases)

2. Lost Passport — How to Apply

If your passport is lost or stolen, you need to apply for a fresh passport (not renewal). The process involves filing a police complaint first.

Step 1: File a Police Complaint / FIR

• Go to the nearest police station and file an FIR or a written complaint about the lost/stolen passport
• Get a copy of the FIR or acknowledgement receipt
• If lost abroad, report to the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate and local police

Step 2: Apply Online

1. Visit passportindia.gov.in
2. Login → Click "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport"
3. Select "Re-issue" as application type
4. Under reason, select "Lost Passport"
5. Fill all details carefully — your old passport number, date of issue, place of issue
6. Upload the police complaint/FIR copy
7. Pay the fee and book an appointment

Documents Required

• FIR / Police Complaint copy (mandatory)
• Proof of Identity — Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.
• Proof of Address — Aadhaar, utility bills, bank statement, etc.
• Proof of Date of Birth — Birth certificate, school leaving certificate, etc.
• Old passport details — number, date of issue, place of issue (as much as you remember)
• Self-declaration about loss circumstances (Annexure I)
• 2 recent passport-size photos

Fees for Lost Passport

Processing Time

• Normal: 30–45 days (police verification is mandatory)
• Tatkal: 7–14 days (police verification still required)

Important: Police verification is always mandatory for lost passport cases, even under Tatkal. This is why Tatkal processing for lost passports takes longer than usual Tatkal.

3. Damaged Passport — Re-issue Process

A damaged passport (torn pages, water damage, illegible details, damaged cover) is treated as a re-issue case, similar to lost passport.

How to Apply

1. Visit passportindia.gov.in
2. Select "Re-issue of Passport"
3. Under reason, select "Damaged Passport"
4. Fill all details and upload documents
5. Carry the damaged passport to the PSK — you must surrender it

Documents Required

• Damaged passport (original — must be surrendered)
• Proof of Identity, Address, and Date of Birth (same as lost passport)
• 2 passport-size photos
• Self-declaration about how the passport got damaged

Fees

Same as lost passport — ₹1,500 (36 pages) or ₹2,000 (60 pages). Tatkal available at extra ₹2,000.

Processing Time

• Normal: 15–30 days
• Tatkal: 1–7 days

Tip: Unlike lost passport, damaged passport cases may get faster processing if the old passport details are readable, as police verification may not always be required.

4. ECR and ECNR Passport — Emigration Check

ECR = Emigration Check Required. ECNR = Emigration Check Not Required.

This stamp on your passport determines whether you need emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants (PoE) before travelling to certain countries for work.

ECR Countries (18 countries)

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand, Iraq.

Who Gets ECNR Passport?

You get ECNR (no emigration check needed) if you meet any one of these:

• Passed Class 10 (matriculation) or above — carry your marksheet
• Income tax payer (have PAN card with ITR)
• Professional degree holders (doctors, engineers, CAs, etc.)
• Nurses with nursing qualification
• All persons above 50 years of age
• All persons below 18 years of age
• All women, regardless of education
• Gazetted government officers
• Persons who have been to ECR countries before on employment visa (carry old passport with visa stamps)

Who Gets ECR Passport?

• Males aged 18–50 who have not passed Class 10 and don't meet any ECNR criteria

How to Change ECR to ECNR

1. Apply for re-issue at passportindia.gov.in
2. Select reason: "Change in existing personal particulars"
3. Upload your Class 10 marksheet or other qualifying document
4. Fee: ₹1,500 (36 pages) — a new passport will be issued with ECNR endorsement

Note: If your new passport already qualifies for ECNR based on documents submitted, it will automatically be ECNR. You don't need to specifically "apply" for ECNR.

5. Change of Name or Address in Passport

After Marriage — Name Change

This is one of the most common passport re-issue requests. After marriage, many women (and sometimes men) need to update their surname.

Documents Required

• Marriage certificate (registered) — this is mandatory
• Spouse's passport copy (if adding spouse name)
• Joint affidavit with spouse (Annexure K)
• Gazette notification (if name change is not just surname addition but a completely different name)

How to Apply

1. Visit passportindia.gov.in
2. Select "Re-issue of Passport"
3. Reason: "Change in existing personal particulars"
4. Fill new name in the form, attach marriage certificate
5. Pay fee: ₹1,500 (36 pages)
6. Visit PSK with original documents

Address Change

If you've moved to a new city or state:

1. Apply for re-issue with reason "Change in existing personal particulars"
2. Upload new address proof — Aadhaar (updated), utility bill, bank statement, rent agreement
3. Fee: ₹1,500

Important: If your new address is in a different police district, police verification will be required and may take 15–30 days. Same district changes are usually faster.

6. Adding Spouse Name to Passport

After marriage, you can add your spouse's name to your passport.

Documents Required

• Marriage certificate (mandatory)
• Spouse's Aadhaar or passport copy
• Annexure K — joint declaration by both spouses

Process

1. Apply for re-issue at passportindia.gov.in
2. Reason: "Change in existing personal particulars"
3. Fill spouse details in the family section
4. Upload marriage certificate
5. Fee: ₹1,500 (36 pages)

Tip: You can combine multiple changes (name change + spouse addition + address change) in a single re-issue application. No need to apply separately.

7. Change of Appearance in Passport

If your appearance has changed significantly (major weight change, facial surgery, etc.) and your passport photo no longer resembles you, you can get a re-issue.

When to Apply

• After major surgery that changes facial features
• Significant change in appearance that causes issues at immigration
• Photo in passport is very old and doesn't match current look

How to Apply

1. Apply for re-issue at passportindia.gov.in
2. Reason: "Change in appearance"
3. Upload new passport-size photos
4. If applicable, carry medical documents supporting the change
5. Fee: ₹1,500 (36 pages)

Processing Time

• Normal: 15–30 days
• Tatkal: 1–3 days (with additional ₹2,000 fee)

8. Additional Booklet — 36 to 60 Pages

If you travel frequently and your passport pages are running out (but the passport is still valid), you can apply for a larger 60-page booklet.

When to Apply

• Your current passport has few blank pages left
• You still have validity remaining but need more visa stamp pages
• You're a frequent business traveller

How to Apply

1. Apply for re-issue at passportindia.gov.in
2. Reason: "Exhaustion of pages"
3. Select 60-page booklet during application
4. Surrender your old passport at PSK

Fee

• ₹2,000 for 60-page booklet (re-issue)
• Tatkal: ₹4,000 (₹2,000 + ₹2,000 Tatkal fee)

Processing Time

• Normal: 15–30 days
• Tatkal: 1–3 days

Note: The new passport will have a new passport number and fresh 10-year validity from the date of issue. Your old passport will be cancelled.

Quick Comparison — Fees and Processing Time

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not filing FIR for lost passport — You cannot apply without a police complaint
2. Applying for renewal instead of re-issue — Lost/damaged passports need re-issue, not renewal
3. Missing Annexure F for Tatkal — Without it, police verification happens first and delays your passport
4. Not carrying original documents to PSK — Uploaded copies are not enough; originals are verified
5. Wrong application type — Always select "Re-issue" for changes, lost, or damaged passport
6. Not updating Aadhaar first — If your name changed after marriage, update Aadhaar first, then apply for passport

Where to Apply

• Online: passportindia.gov.in
• App: mPassport Seva (available on Google Play and App Store)
• In person: Visit your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)

To find your nearest PSK, visit the Passport Seva Locator on the official website.

Helpline and Support

• Passport Seva Call Centre: 1800-258-1800 (toll-free)
• Email: complaints can be filed via the Passport Seva portal
• Grievance Portal: cpgrams.gov.in

Related Guides

• How to Apply for a Fresh Passport Online
• How to Renew Your Passport Online
• Track Your Passport Application Status
• How to Apply for Child/Minor Passport