Passport renewal made easy, even without police verification: Avoid these common mistakes

Passports need to be renewed if their validity expires, pages run out or if there is any change in the name and address of the passport holder. Passport renewal has become easier in India, particularly with the launch of the online Passport Seva system. You could easily renew your passport even without police verification if certain conditions are met. You could do it yourself if you have a proper understanding of the procedures, possess the required documents and avoid certain mistakes.

Here's how you could renew your passport online
The first step is to register in the Passport Seva portal. If you are a new user, click on the ‘new user registration’ and enter your email ID and other personal details. After logging in, click on ‘Apply for fresh passport/ reissue passport’ via the 'Reissue Passport' link. The applicant needs to explain why their passport is being renewed. Make sure to provide valid reasons. Now, go through the details again before submitting.

The fee for passport renewal could be paid online. The user should pay the fee by clicking the ‘Pay and schedule appointment’ link. You could choose the nearby Passport Seva Kendra, post office PSK or passport office. The cost could be paid using a debit card or via UPI and net banking. After paying the fee, choose a date and time for the appointment. Download and print the appointment note.

Original documents as well as their self-attested copies should be submitted at the Passport Seva Kendra or the POPSK. Your documents will be verified here. Additionally, they will take your photograph and record your biometric details, including your fingerprints. The passport officer might also ask you a few questions.

Police verification
Police verification is not always required when you renew your passport. Police verification is generally not required for passport renewal if certain conditions are met, such as restoring the passport before it expires or within three years of its expiration. However, changes in the address or other personal information may require police verification. Police personnel from the nearby police station will visit your residence to complete the verification procedure.

Check status online
The status of the application for passport renewal could be checked online. You could check it under the ‘services’ tab in the Passport Seva portal by entering the application number. The live status of the application and the renewal process could be checked online.

What are the documents required?
The following documents and the self-attested copies of these are to be submitted for verification at the Passport Seva Kendra.
Old Passport – Self-attested copies of the first and last two pages of the old passport are required. Additionally, a self–attested copy of the ESR (Emigration Check Required) or a non-ECR page must also be submitted.

Address proof: Aadhaar, voter’s ID, electricity/water/phone bill (within the last 12 months), bank passbook/bank statement, or rent deed can be submitted as address proof.

Date of birth – Birth certificate, school certificate, PAN card and Aadhar card are some of the documents that prove your date of birth.

Fee
Applicants can calculate the renewal fee themselves using the fee calculator on the Passport Seva Portal. Nevertheless, the following are the common expenses.

Adults (above 18 years): The cost is Rs 1,500 for a 36-page booklet. Meanwhile, it will be Rs 3500 for Tatkal passport. A passport booklet of 60 pages would cost Rs 2000, and a 60-page Tatkal passport would cost Rs 4000.

Minors (under 18 years): The fee for a 36-page booklet is Rs 1000 while it would cost Rs 3000 for a Tatkal passport.

Who can apply?
Any citizen of India is eligible to apply for a passport. However, the applicant shouldn’t have any arrest warrants or criminal proceedings against them. The consent of parent/guardian is required for minors. Additional documents must be submitted with the application for Tatkal passports.

Avoid these common mistakes
People are likely to make common mistakes when applying for or renewing a passport. Making mistakes while entering names, addresses, dates of birth, and other personal information is very common. Forgetting to attach ECNR/class ten-mark sheets is another common mistake made by most applicants. Submitting copies that are not clear and postponing or cancelling appointments more than three times should be avoided. Do not forget to obtain a marriage certificate when renewing your passport.

Points to note
When to apply?
You could apply for passport renewal at least a year before the expiration date to avoid unnecessary delays.
Is marriage certificate mandatory?
It is not mandatory in all situations. Marriage certificate should be submitted to add the spouse’s name for the first time in the passport.
What are the documents to be submitted to change the name in the passport after marriage?
Marriage certificate/ Annexure J, current passport, document to prove new address and PAN card/ Aadhar
How long does police verification take?
Police verification is typically completed within a week.