Rules For Passport

Rights of Applicants

1. Right to possess a passport if you are an Indian citizen.
2. Right to obtain a fresh passport in 35 days if

1. your police report ;is clear; and
2. sufficient documentary proof of age, address and citizenship.

1. Right to receive a service in two working days which does not involve preparation of a passport booklet e.g.

1. change in address
2. stamping of "Emigration Clearance Not Required"

1. Right to receive a new booklet/duplicate passport within 10 working days if original passport issued from the same office.
2. Right to receive a reply within four weeks of any written query sent to the passport office.

YOUR OBLIGATIONS:

1. Apply for passport as soon as you conceive of a possible foreign journey.
2. Fully and correctly fill all the columns of the application form
3. Always give true information.

Are you applying for the first time?

• Please obtain an application form from the Passport Office or the designated Speed Post Centers or any of the designated outlets in your city. You can also download the form from the Central Passport Organization’s Website http//www.passport.nic.in. Fill all columns carefully and legibly; the application may be submitted to the Passport Office concerned (where you are resident when applying) either in person or through an authorized representative carrying an authority letter (as per the specimen at Annexure L of the Form) or by registered post. Applications can also be deposited at District Passport Cells/District Collect orates / DSP’s Office at no extra charge and at designated Speed Post Centers with a service fee or through authorized travel agents.
• Give proof of residence i.e. two self-attested photo copies of the ration card or voters’ identity card or water tax bill or telephone bill or electricity bill or running bank account or income tax assessment order or appointment letter of reputed companies on letterhead (any of them will do) clearly indicating/certifying the residential address.
• Give proof of date of birth i.e. two self-attested photocopies of birth certificate issued by a municipal authority or district office of the Registrar of Births & Deaths, if born after January 26, 1989 or date of birth certificate from the school last attended or affidavit sworn before a magistrate/notary as per specimen in the case of illiterate applicants.
• If you have not continuously stayed at the present address for the last one year, give an additional set of ‘Personal Particulars Form’ for each place of residence with a photograph and two self-attested copies of supporting documents.
• If you are a Government or Public Sector or Statutory body employee, "No Objection Certificate" in original as per specimen with a self-attested photocopy or two copies of the letter by you to your Head of Office informing that you are applying for a passport and duly acknowledged by your Head of Office.
• If you have changed your name due to marriage, two self-attested photocopies of husband’s passport, if any, or an affidavit (original and one self-attested photocopy) from the husband and wife along with a joint photograph, as per specimen.
• If you have changed your name due to other circumstances, deed/sworn affidavit (original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, and a paper cutting (original and one self-attested photocopy) each of two leading daily newspapers where change of name has been published.
  If you are a citizen of India by registration or naturalization, two self-attested photocopies of citizenship document.
• Give two self-attested photocopies of the supporting documents if you are eligible for ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) endorsement on your passport. {Government has introduced ECNR to safeguard workers from being exploited by unscrupulous employers abroad}. The following persons are entitled to get the ECNR stamp on their passport:
• Persons going abroad in a managerial capacity in hotels/restaurants, Tea-houses or other places of public resort etc. possessing specialized degree in these fields.
• All gazetted government servants.
• All income-tax payers (including agricultural income-tax payees) in their individual capacity. Proof of assessment to income-tax and actual payment of income-tax for last three years to be insisted upon, and not merely payment of advance tax. However, in most cases, as an assessment order is not issued separately by the Income-tax department, income-tax return, which is stamped by an Income-tax authority, can be accepted.
• All professional degree holders such as Doctors holding M.B.B.S., degree in ayurved or homeopathy, accredited journalists, engineers, chartered accountants, cost accountants, company secretaries, advocates, lecturers, teachers, scientists, etc.
• Spouses of category of persons listed above.
• All persons who have been staying abroad for more than three years (the period of three years could be either at a stretch or broken), and spouses of such persons. An affidavit to this effect is required to be submitted as per specimen.
• All Indian seafarers who hold Indian or Foreign CDCs and are in possession of an offer of employment from shipping companies in India or abroad and sea cadets.
• All holders of diplomatic/official passports.
• Dependent children of parents whose passports are classified as ECNR. In the case of such children ECNR classification to be restricted until they attain 24 years of age.
• Persons holding permanent immigration visa such as the visas of the UK, the USA and Australia.
• Persons holding graduate or higher degrees. (If final certificate is not available, provisional certificate plus mark sheet to be attached).
• Persons holding three years’ diploma equivalent to a degree from recognized institutions like polytechnics.
• Nurses possessing qualifications recognized under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947.
• All persons above the age of 60 years.
• Persons possessing certificates of vocational training from Government/Government recognized institutions.

Note:

• Even if you do not have the ECNR stamp, you can visit Bangladesh, Pakistan and most countries in Europe (Except the countries of Commonwealth of Independent States) and North America, Japan, Australia & New Zealand without emigration clearance.
• In any case, Protector of Emigrants can grant emigration clearance to certain categories of skilled/semi-skilled workers for a period of six months if application is made through authorized recruiting agent and there is a valid employment visa. In case, the person concerned is leaving the country for non-employment purposes, he can obtain suspension from emigration clearance for the specified country and for the specified period from Protector of Emigrants.
• Furnish 7 identical photographs (black & white or color) , Size 35mm x 35 mm;
• Frontal view of full face against a light background; photos taken with colored or dark glasses and in uniform are not acceptable;
• 4 photographs pasted on the form and signed across partly on the photo and partly on the form and 2 photographs unsigned to be pasted on page 5 of the application form and one unsigned photograph on the Passport Application Registration Form.

Note : All self-attested copies of certificates/documents would be checked against originals at the Passport Office at the time of submission of application.

Copies of certificates/documents sent by post should be attested by a  Gazetted Officer.

Do you need a passport urgently?

Then you require a Verification Certificate (as per specimen at Annexure ‘G’ of the application form) from any officer of the rank of Deputy Secretary and above in the Central Government or equivalent in the State Government, Colonel and above or its equivalent in Air Force and Navy, General Manager of a Public Sector Undertaking, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, SSP of district or one of those listed in Annexure ‘G’ (page 16 of the application form). An out of turn passport is issued only in cases of specified emergencies, on production of documentary evidence, with the payment of additional fee under the Tatkaal Scheme as detailed on page 6 & 7.

Passport for minors

It is mandatory to have a separate passport for minors including infants. A number of foreign embassies/consulates are refusing to grant visas if minor’s name is included in the parents’ passport.

Apply with the following additional documents:

• Fresh application form
• Proof of residence: Same as for an adult applicant, as detailed above, except that proof of residence of any one of the parents or guardian is acceptable. (self-attestation by any one of the parents or guardian will do).
• Proof of date of birth: Two self-attested photocopies of birth certificate issued by a municipal authority or district office of the Registrar of Births & Deaths, if born after January 26, 1989 or date of birth certificate from the school last attended or affidavit sworn before a magistrate/notary as per specimen in respect of illiterate applicants.
• An additional set of ‘Personal Particulars Form’ for each place of residence with a photograph and two self-attested copies of supporting documents, if a minor has not continuously stayed at the present address for the last one year.
• Seven identical photographs in black and white or color – four pasted on the application in the boxes provided, two pasted on page 5 without signatures and one unsigned on the Passport Application Registration Form ( PARF). (Thumb impression will do in case a minor is unable to sign).
• A demand draft (DD) payable to the Regional Passport Office or Passport Office concerned for an amount prescribed.
• Two self-attested photocopies of a valid passport, if any, of both parents incorporating their present marital status or two self-attested photocopies of a valid passport of any one of the parents.
• Two self-attested photocopies of first four pages and last four pages of passport of any one of the parents for ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) endorsement on a passport.
• Affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, by a legal guardian only if parents are not legal guardians.
• Affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, by two responsible persons who know the legal guardian as well as minor.
• Affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, in the case of a single parent.
• Affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, in the case of parents who are separated but not formally divorced.
• A sworn affidavit (one original and one self-attested photocopy), duly attested by an Indian Embassy/Consulate, in the case of parents residing outside India.

Note: In the normal course the signature/consent of both parents may be taken for issue of a passport to the minor. However, if in case the applicant parent is not in a position to get the consent of the other parent, for whatever reason, the parent applying for the passport of the minor may sign the form and submit a sworn affidavit (as per the prescribed format) stating the facts and circumstances of the case along with the application. The affidavit should also state that in case of a court case he/she would be responsible and not the passport office. In such cases where only one parent applies, in case of any doubt the Passport Office may request for the physical presence of the child to ensure that the applicant parent has the actual custody of the child.

Emigration Check Not Required Stamp

• Following persons are entitled to get the ECNR stamp on their passports:
• Persons going abroad in managerial capacity in Hotels/Restaurants,Tea-Houses or other places of Public Resorts etc. possessing specialised Degrees in these fields
• Gazetted Government Servants;
• Income-tax payees
• Persons holding professional degrees, such as Doctors holding M.B.B.S.Degree in Ayurved or Homoeopathy, accredited Journalists, Engineers, Chartered Accountants,
• Persons staying abroad for more than 3 years
• Spouses of the above mentioned categories
• Persons holding graduation or higher degrees
• Seamen in possession of Continuous Discharge Certificate and Sea Cadets and Deck Cadets
  1. who have passed final examination of three year B.Sc.Nautical Sciences Courses at T.S. Chanakya, Mumbai, or
  2. who have undergone three months Pre-Sea training at any of the Government approved Training Institutes after production of Identity Cards issued by the Shipping Master, Mumbai/Calcutta/Chennai

• Persons holding permanent Immigration Visas, or any country e.g. Green Card in USA
• Persons holding diplomas from recognised institutions like Polytechnics or certificates of vocational training from Government/recognised institutions. The Diploma/Certificate should be for a minimum duration of two year course.
• Nurses possessing qualifications recognised under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947
• Dependent children of parents eligible for ECNR, as above (upto 24 years of age)
• All persons above the age of 60 years
• All visitors to Pakistan and Bangladesh
• All visitors going to any country in Europe (except the Commonwealth of Independent States) or North America, Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

Normal:

1.Fresh passport (36 pages) of 10 years validity                                      Rs. 1000/-
2.Fresh passport (60 pages) of 10 years validity                                      Rs. 1500/-
3.Fresh passport for minor (below 15 years) of 5 years validity              Rs. 600/-
4.Passport against lost/ damaged passport(36 pages)                             Rs.2500/-
5.Passport against lost/ damaged passport(60 pages)                             Rs.3000/-
6.India-Bangladesh or India-Srilanka passport (validity 10 years)             Rs.500/-

Miscellaneous Services

7.Additional Booklet (36 pages)                                                                Rs. 500/-
8.Additional Booklet (60 pages)                                                                Rs. 700/-
9.Changes of address/ Police clearance certificate/ Deletion of
particular of childern/ ECNR/ Additional endorsements                            Rs. 300/-
10.Miscellaneous service on an
India-Bangladesh or India-Srilanka passport                                            Rs. 100/-

Under ‘Tatkal Scheme’ on out-of-turn basis:

1. In case of issue of fresh passport
   
   (I) Within 10 days of application                                                     Rs. 1500/-
   (II) Within 11-35 days of application :                                             Rs. 1000/-
   
2. In case of Duplicate Passport

(I) Within 10 days of applicationp;                Rs. 2500/-
(II) Within 11-35 days of application :           Rs. 1500/-

3. In case of reissue after expiry of final validity
   
   (I) Within 10 days of application                                                     Rs. 1500/-
   (II) Within 11-35 days of application                                               Rs. 1000/-

In case fee is paid by means of Bank draft full name of the applicant should be written on the reverse of the Bank draft. May be paid either by bank draft of a nationalized bank in favour of the Passport Officer concerned or in cash at the counter of the Passport Office. Applicants depositing forms at places other than passport offices need to pay the prescribed fee only by way of a demand draft in favour of the Passport Office concerned.

Time frame for issue of Passports

If all your documents are in order and the police report is clear, a passport would normally be issued within 5 weeks.

If you already hold a passport then your next passport should be re-issued in 5 weeks provided there is no change of address.

In the case of damaged/lost passports (except in case of habitual losers), provided you apply to the same office which issued your original passport, you should get a passport in about 5 weeks.

If you have applied for a duplicate passport to an office other than the one which issued the passport you have lost or damaged, you should get your passport in 6 weeks.

However, in case of emergency,you can apply for a fresh or a duplicate passport under the Tatkaal Scheme

Delivery of Passports

• Passports are normally dispatched by registered post or speed post to the applicant’s present address as given in the application form;
• In case of urgency the applicant may approach the Passport Office for counter delivery. Such passports can then be delivered at the counter only to the applicant.

• Please inform the nearest police station and obtain a copy of the FIR;
• Also inform the Passport Officer or Indian Embassy/Consulate which issued that passport. Passport is a valuable document and in case it gets misused, you can be held responsible, if you have not informed the police as well as the passport issuing authority;
• Apply for a duplicate passport with:
• Application for lost passport;
• Copy of the FIR;
• Affidavit (specimen at Annexure ‘B’ of the passport form);
• Copy of lost passport, if available;
• Fee Rs.2500/-

• Application for a damaged passport;
• Damaged passport;
• Affidavit (specimen at Annexure ‘B’ of the application form);
• Fee Rs.2500/-

Apply with the following documents:

• Fresh application form
• Old passport (in original) and two self-attested photocopies of the first four and last four pages.
• Proof of Address: Two self-attested photocopies either of your ration card or appointment letter of reputed companies on letter head or water tax or telephone bill or electricity bill or running bank account or Income Tax Assessment order or Election Commission ID Card.
• If you have not continuously stayed at the present address for the last one year, an additional set of ‘Personal Particulars Form’ for each place of residence with a photograph and two self-attested copies of supporting documents.
• Seven identical photographs in black and white or colour – 4 photographs pasted on the form and signed across partly on the photo and partly on the form and 2 photographs unsigned to be pasted on page 5 of the application form and one unsigned photograph on the Passport Application Registration Form.
• A demand draft (DD) payable to the Regional Passport Office or Passport Office concerned for an amount prescribed.
• If your employment status has changed from a private employee to that of a Government or Public Sector or Statutory body employee, a "No Objection Certificate" in original as per specimen with a self-attested photocopy or two copies of the letter by you to your Head of Office informing that you are applying for a passport and duly acknowledged by your Head of Office.
• If you are eligible for ECNR, two self-attested photocopies of any one of the supporting documents (details given above).
• If you have changed name due to marriage, two self-attested photocopies of husband’s passport, if any, or an affidavit (original and one self-attested photocopy) from the husband and wife along with a joint photograph, as per specimen.
• If you have changed name due to other circumstances, deed/sworn affidavit (original and one self-attested photocopy), as per specimen, and a paper cutting (original and one self-attested photocopy) each of two leading daily newspapers, where change of name has been publicised.
• If you have ever been repatriated at government cost and since refunded the amount to the government, two self-attested photocopies of the refund receipt.
• If you have ever been deported to India, two self-attested photocopies of documents.

Options in terms size of the booklet

You can either apply for a 36-paged normal passport booklet; Fees: Rs.1000/- for 10 years; or a 60-paged jumbo passport booklet Fees: Rs.1500/- for 10 years. For children below 15 years, Rs.600 for a 36 page 5 year validity passport. The passport fee is subject to revision so please check the amount at the time of submission of application.

Apply with the following documents:

• Fresh application form
• If you have changed name due to marriage, a self-attested photocopy of husband’s passport, if any, or an affidavit from the husband and wife along with a joint photograph, as per prescribed format.
• If you are a divorcee or asking for deletion of spouse’s name in the existing passport, deed/sworn affidavit, as per prescribed format, or divorce deed, duly authenticated by a court.
• If you are remarried and asking for a change of name/change of spouse’s name in the existing passport, a self-attested photocopy of divorce deed or death certificate as the case may be in respect of first spouse or documents as above.
• If you have changed name due to other circumstances, deed/sworn affidavit, as per prescribed format, and a paper cutting (original and one self-attested photocopy) each of two leading daily newspapers, where change of name has been published.

Change of address

For change of address the following circumstances may arises.

1. If you already have a passports and want to change the address recorded in it, approach your nearest passport office and apply for the same on Miscellaneous Services application from with a fee of Rs.100 and proof of new address.
2. If you have applied for a passport but before the same is issued, you have shifted your residence their, you should  inform in writing to the Passport Office within whose jurisdiction  your new address falls about your application for a Passport submitted to the previous Passport Office (with application numbers etc.)  for transfer of your file to the new Passport Office.  Along with proof of your new address. No fee required to be paid in this case.