Passport Application Process — How to Apply for Indian Passport in 2026

Getting an Indian passport has become significantly easier over the years, but the process still has enough steps to confuse first-time applicants. Whether you're applying for your first passport or helping a family member with theirs, this guide walks you through every stage.

Types of Passports

Type	Validity	Pages	Purpose
Ordinary (P)	10 years (adults), 5 years (minors)	36 or 60	Personal travel
Official (S)	As specified	36	Government officials on duty
Diplomatic (D)	As specified	36	Diplomats and senior officials

Most people apply for the ordinary passport with 36 pages. If you travel frequently, go for the 60-page booklet — same fee, just more stamp pages.

Eligibility

• Indian citizen by birth, descent, or registration/naturalization
• No criminal proceedings pending (can still apply, but might affect police verification)
• Minors need consent of both parents (or legal guardian + court order in custody cases)

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Register on Passport Seva Portal

• Visit passportindia.gov.in
• Click "New User? Register Now"
• Create an account with your email and mobile number
• Verify via email link

2. Fill the Application Form

• Login and click "Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport"
• Select "Fresh Passport"
• Choose "Normal" or "Tatkal" scheme
• Fill in all personal details carefully:

- Name, DOB, place of birth - Parent/guardian details - Present and permanent address - Emergency contact - Previous passport details (if any)

• Save the form — you can come back and edit before final submission

3. Pay the Fee

Type	36 Pages	60 Pages
Normal	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 2,000
Tatkal	Rs. 3,500	Rs. 4,000
Minor (under 18)	Rs. 1,000	N/A

Payment via SBI net banking, credit/debit card, UPI, or SBI branch challan.

4. Book an Appointment

• After payment, schedule an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)
• Select a convenient date and time slot
• POPSKs are often less crowded than the main PSKs

5. Visit the PSK/POPSK

On the appointment day, carry:

• Printed appointment confirmation


• Original documents + one self-attested photocopy of each


• No need to carry photos (they're taken at the counter)

At the PSK, you'll go through these counters:

• Counter A: Document verification


• Counter B: Biometrics (photo, fingerprints)


• Counter C: Final verification by granting officer

The entire visit typically takes 1-3 hours depending on the crowd.

6. Police Verification

After your PSK visit, your application goes to the local police station for verification. A police officer will visit your residence (or sometimes call you to the station).

What they verify:

• Address authenticity
• Criminal record check
• Character verification

Timeline: Usually 1-2 weeks, but can take up to 30 days in some jurisdictions. Pro tip: Keep your phone accessible. If the constable calls and you miss it, the verification gets delayed significantly.

7. Passport Dispatch

Once police verification is clear, your passport is printed and dispatched via Speed Post. You'll receive an SMS with the tracking number.

Documents Required

For Adults (Fresh Passport)

Category	Documents
Address Proof	Aadhaar, utility bill, bank statement, voter ID, rent agreement
Date of Birth	Birth certificate, Aadhaar, PAN, matriculation certificate
Identity	Aadhaar (preferred), voter ID, PAN card

For Minors

• Birth certificate (mandatory)
• Parent's passport (if available)
• School ID or bonafide certificate
• Aadhaar of the child (if available)

For Government/PSU Employees

• Identity certificate from the employer
• Prior permission letter (if required by department)
• NOC from the department

Tatkal Passport — When You Need It Fast

Tatkal passports are for urgent requirements. The fee is higher, but the processing is faster.

Tatkal eligibility: Anyone can apply, but you need additional documents:

• Annexure F (verification certificate from a gazetted officer or notary)
• Three additional address proof documents

Tatkal timeline: 1-3 working days from the PSK visit (excluding police verification, which may happen post-issue).

In tatkal, the passport may be issued before police verification. If something adverse comes up during later verification, the passport can be impounded.

Processing Timeline

Stage	Normal	Tatkal
PSK appointment	Same day to 1 week	Same day to 3 days
Police verification	1-4 weeks	May happen post-issue
Passport printing & dispatch	3-5 days after clearance	1-3 days
Total	2-6 weeks	1-7 days

Tracking Your Application

1. Visit passportindia.gov.in
2. Click "Track Application Status"
3. Enter your File Number (starts with your PSK code)
4. You can also track via the mPassport Seva app

Common Reasons for Delay or Rejection

• Address mismatch: PSK address doesn't match the address proof — happens often when people move between applying and the visit
• Police verification complications: Pending cases, wrong address visited by police, applicant unavailable during verification
• Parental consent issues for minors: If parents are divorced/separated, both need to consent or a court order is required
• Incomplete documents: Missing even one required document means a revisit

FAQs

Can I apply without Aadhaar? Technically yes — you can use other identity proofs. But Aadhaar simplifies the process enormously and is the preferred document. Without it, expect additional scrutiny. I'm a student living in a hostel. Can I apply from my hostel address? Yes, with a bonafide certificate from the institution and a hostel ID as address proof. Police verification will happen at the hostel address. Can I choose between PSK and POPSK? Yes. POPSKs handle normal applications only (no tatkal). They're typically in smaller cities and less crowded. What if police verification is negative? The passport office will send you a show-cause notice. You can respond with an explanation. Minor issues (like an old, resolved complaint) usually get cleared. Serious criminal records can lead to denial. Can I apply for a 60-page passport even for my first passport? Yes. Select the 60-page option while filling the form. It costs Rs. 500 more than the 36-page booklet.