Documents Required for a Passport in India: Complete Guide

A passport serves as a gateway to exploration, adventure, and opportunity. It is one of the most important documents required to travel abroad for leisure, work, or education purposes. Not only this, but a passport can also act as an identity proof.

But before setting foot on a foreign trip, it is essential for you to ensure you have all the required passport documents to get your passport done hassle-free. Let’s understand what documents are required for a passport appointment.

Role of Correct Documentation in Securing Indian Passport

An Indian passport in your hand can be the reason behind your exciting adventure ahead.  According to the Henley Passport Index 2024, India holds the 82nd position in the passport ranking, granting access to 62 countries, but applying for a passport requires considerable preparation.

To ensure a smooth application process, it is crucial for you to share accurate and complete documents needed for a passport. Each document that you submit helps in your verification by providing crucial details regarding your address, identity, and work profile. This helps in ensuring that the passport reaches its rightful owner and upholds national security.

Inaccurate or missing documents can often lead to delays in passport approvals and, at worst, rejection of the passport request. This can be inconvenient, especially when you have a tight travel deadline. Therefore, knowing the documents required for passport application well in advance can help foster confidence and reduce stress during the entire loan application process.

Documents Required for a Fresh Passport Application for Adults

Some of the documents required for a new passport application are listed below. Keep scrolling through to know the details:

  1. Address Proof
    To apply for a passport, the applicant must submit an address proof document. You can submit a copy of any of these passport documents, including voter ID, Aadhaar card, electricity bill, telephone bill, rent agreement, etc.

  2. Date of Birth Proof
    For the verification of date of birth, the applicant can submit any document, such as a birth certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar card, or driving licence.

  3. Photo ID Proof
    For identity verification, you can submit a PAN card, Aadhaar card, or voter ID as proof of your photo ID.
  4. Passport Size Photographs
    Along with the documents required for a fresh passport, as mentioned earlier, you need to submit 2 passport-size coloured photographs of 2 X 2-inch dimensions with a white background.

Documents Required for Fresh Passport Application for Minors

Usually, the documents required for a fresh passport application for minors differ from those for adults. You will have to present the following list of passport documents:

  1. Identity Proof
    The minor's identity will be verified with the self-attested copy of parent's passport, and a birth certificate will be required.

  2. Address Proof
    To verify the address of minors, parents' address proof, including the passbook of an active bank account, electricity bill, utility bill, rent agreement, gas connection, etc., can be submitted.

  3. Age Proof
    For the verification of date of birth, you can present a birth certificate issued by the municipal corporation, a school leaving certificate, a marksheet of class 10th or 12th, etc.
  4. Photograph
    Along with the documents for a passport mentioned earlier, you need to submit 3 recent coloured photographs of size 2 inches by 2 inches.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Passport Online

To apply for the passport online, you need to follow the below-mentioned steps:

  1. Step 1: Visit the official website

  2. Step 2: Create your account online

  3. Step 3: Choose the type of passport from the available options like new, child, renew

  4. Step 4: Fill the passport application with the correct details

  5. Step 5:Scan and upload all the documents required for an Indian passport online

  6. Step 6: Pay the fees via secure payment methods like Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India and Other Banks) orSBI Bank Challan

  7. Step 7: Book an appointment at the nearest post office

  8. Step 8: Download the application receipt with the appointment date

  9. Step 9: On the appointment date, visit the designated centre for biometric data and document verification

  10. Step 10: Within a few days, the passport processing details will be updated

Passport Renewal Process

You may be required to renew your passport in cases like:

  1. When the passport reaches its expiration date

  2. If your legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason

  3. The passport has been damaged or torn

  4. Change in appearance due to age and any other factors

  5. Deliberate alteration or mutilation of the passport

  6. When a child reaches adulthood, they may require an adult passport

Documents Required for Passport Renewal

To get your passport renewed, here are some of the documents required at the passport office:

  1. Old Passport
    You must submit your original previous passport to get the passport renewed. You need to submit the first two and last two pages, including the ECR/non-ECR page.

  2. Address Proof
    To verify your address, you can submit some documents for passport qualifications, including utility bills, an Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving licence, etc.

  3. Passport Size Photograph
    You need to submit two recent coloured photographs for your passport update.

Travel Abroad Without Worrying About Finances

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Frequently Asked Questions

If documents are missing or incorrectly submitted, your passport process can be delayed or rejected. Thus, it's essential to double-check all the details before submitting the passport application.

After getting married, you can get your surname updated on the passport by applying for the 'Re-issue' of your passport.

Aadhaar is one of the most important documents that helps in verifying an individual's identity and is required for passport application.

No, it's not mandatory. However, it can serve as supplementary age-proof documentation alongside options like birth certificates or school leaving certificates. Having multiple age-proof documents can streamline the application process and prevent complications.

ECR (Emigration Check Required) and non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) passports are categories indicating whether an individual needs clearance from the Protector of Emigrants to travel for certain employment opportunities abroad.