How to Renew the Passport in India?

Introduction

A passport is a very important travel document for any citizen of India. Having it on hand will help you go abroad or even within the country easily and quickly. If you have lost your passport or have had it stolen, this could be a huge problem for your plans. In such cases, there are some measures that can be taken to get your passport renewed quickly but still in time for your trip abroad. However, before you renew your passport make sure that there is no other way around which could save you time and money!

What are the documents required for passport renewal in India?

• Passport (original)

• Proof of residence (not older than six months)

• Proof of identity (not older than three months)

• Proof of date of birth (a certified copy issued by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner for the year in which you were born). For example, if you were born in 1942, you will need to submit a certified copy issued by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner for 1943. If you were born before 1 January 1944, please submit two passport-sized photographs with your application.

• Citizenship/Nativity certificate or Domicile certificate (issued by the Competent Authority). It must have been issued within five years prior to submission at a passport office.

• Marital Status Certificate issued by Marriages Registrar on letterhead paper with seal affixed to it saying that applicant is single or married or divorced etc., as applicable to him/her; Please note: The above-mentioned documents are only valid if they are issued within six months from date stamping on the application form.

How long does it take for passport renewal in India?

The time required for passport renewal in India depends on the applicant's situation. If you are a new applicant, it will take longer than if you are renewing your passport. However, it also depends on where you are applying for passport renewal and which category of service delivery unit (SDU) is handling your application.

If you have chosen to apply for passport renewal at an SDU that handles complex cases, then the duration could be several months or even a year or more due to large backlogs at these SDUs; once again, this will depend on how busy each SDU is currently and whether there has been any change in its caseload recently that would affect how many applications they can process per month.

How much is the passport renewal fee in India?

The passport renewal fee in India is Rs.1100 for adults and minors or the same amount for Indian citizens and foreigners.

Can I walk in for passport renewal in India?

You can apply for passport renewal in India without an appointment. You can walk into a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and apply for the service. However, it is not recommended to do this because PSKs usually have long waiting times and you may end up spending hours there. It’s better if you make an appointment at the PSK as it will help save you time.

What is the time limit for renewal of a passport after expiry?

The passport renewal must be done within one year of expiry. If you do not renew your passport within the specified time, you will have to apply for a new one. However, there are some valid reasons that can allow you to extend your passport validity:

• You have not been able to renew it due to some reason like illness or absence from home. In such cases, you must provide supporting documents in order to prove that there was no fault on your part.

• Your previous passport has been lost or stolen and hence cannot be used as ID proof while applying for renewal of a fresh one from the government agency concerned with such matters as the Regional Passport Office (RPO) etcetera. In case this happens then too it is advisable that all necessary documents should be submitted at the RPO along with the application so as not to get into any trouble later on because these things happen unexpectedly sometimes even though we try our best not let them happen at least once but sometimes we fail at doing so just like anything else which means we don't want any negligence either!

Is an Aadhaar card enough for passport renewal?

Aadhaar is not mandatory for passport renewal, but it is required for passport application. So, if you have applied for a new passport, you need to provide your Aadhaar card number or UID proof along with other documents during the process.

If you have a valid passport and want to renew it, then all that's required is an application form that can be submitted without any supporting documents (apart from recent photographs) at any of the Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs). However, if you wish to apply for the first time or were previously issued passports but don't have an Aadhaar card yet and wish to apply using this document only then some supporting documents will be needed such as proof of residence in India i.e., Utility bill/rental agreement/passbook etc., photo identity proof(Pan Card etc.)

Two different forms are available for passport renewal in India - Form 26 and Form 51.

The passport renewal process in India is quite simple. If you want to renew your passport, there are two different forms available for it - Form 26 and Form 51.

The first form, which is also called “Renewal of Passport” form has been designed for those whose passports are less than 10 years old from the date of issue. These applicants will have to fill this application form and submit it along with other necessary documents at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

If however your current passport has already passed its 10-year validity period then you need to apply using another form called ‘Application For Renewal Of Passport Within Six Months From The Expiry Of Validity Of An Ordinary Passport’ or Form 51 for short. This form can only be filled online through https://passportindiaonlineapplicationweb.gov.in/HomeProcessReNewPassport1/HomeProcessReNewPassport2/.

Form 51 is for those who want to renew their passports because its 10 years from the date of issue has already elapsed.

• Form 51 is for those who want to renew their passports because its 10 years from the date of issue has already elapsed.

• Form 26 is for those who want to renew their passports because their passports are damaged or have become illegible.

When applying for passport renewal in India, applicants will first choose between Form 26 and Form 51 before filling out an online application form.

When applying for passport renewal in India, applicants will first choose between Form 26 and Form 51 before filling out an online application form.

Form 26 is for those who want to renew their passports because its 10 years from the date of issue has already elapsed. If this is the case, you must complete the required information on “Renewal of Passport” section of Form 26 and submit it to your nearest passport office along with relevant documents.

Form 51 is for those who want to renew their passports because they have lost their passport or it has been damaged. In this case, you must complete the required information on “Lost or Damaged Passport” section of Form 51 and submit it at any regional passport office along with relevant documents

Conclusion

Passport renewal in India can be done by fulfilling all the required documents, fees and application formalities. It is a two-step process where you first fill out an online application form and then submit it at your nearest passport office with all the necessary documents. The entire process takes up to 3-4 weeks depending upon the regional passport office.