How to apply for a passport: Updated process, forms, fees and documents

A valid passport is the most important criterion if you travel overseas. Compared to the olden days, getting a passport is not an unattainable task. Meanwhile, applying for and renewing a passport has become easier nowadays as you can do this online, even from the comfort of your home. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to apply for a passport.

Register through Passport Seva Portal
The first step is to register through the Passport Seva Portal. Open the portal and click on the ‘New User Registration’ link. Fill in your name, date of birth, and email ID to register on the website. Select a passport office close to your place of residence. After completing the registration, activate the account using the link sent to your email.

Fill in the form
After logging in, click ‘Apply For Fresh Passport/Re–issue Passport’. In the online application form, provide your personal details, including your address. Make sure that all the details are correct before applying.

Pay the application fee
After submitting the form, click on the link ‘Pay and Schedule Payment’ to pay the application fee. Select your Passport Seva centre or a nearby Passport Seva centre. You can pay the application fee using internet banking, credit card, debit card, or UPI payment. After successfully paying the fee, select a preferred date for document verification. Once your appointment has been confirmed, download the application receipt.

Document verification
You should reach the passport seva centre on the specific date of your appointment for document verification. The original documents and self-attested photocopies of the documents should be submitted for verification. The officials at the Seva Centre will verify your documents and collect your biometric records. An officer will also interview you. Aadhar card, class ten certificate or birth certificate could be submitted to prove your address and date of birth. If the applicant is a minor or a government employee, documents proving the same should be submitted for verification.

Police verification
After completing the verification procedure at the passport seva centre, the next step is police verification. The local police will be tasked with ascertaining the details furnished by the applicant. Ensure you are at home when a police officer visits the house. Provide valid documents in case the police officer asks for additional information.

Track the application status
Click on ‘Track Application Status’ in the Passport Seva Portal and enter your phone number and date of birth to track your application status. Track your progress regularly until all the procedures are completed and the passport is sent via post. 
Tatkal passports are approved in emergency situations. Special facilities are available for minor applicants and senior citizens. A newly issued adult passport is valid for ten years, while it is five years for minors. The applicant should retain the scanned copies of the documents submitted while applying for a passport.

Application fee
A 36-page passport booklet costs Rs 1500 for adults. Meanwhile, it is Rs 3500 for Tatkal passports. A 60-page passport booklet costs Rs 2000; it would go up to Rs 4000 if you apply on Tatkal. Passports for minors cost Rs 1000 and Rs 3000 for Tatkal. It usually takes 25 – 30 days to complete all the procedures and issue the passport. Meanwhile, it will take only seven days to re–issue if the applicant's address hasn’t changed.