If you are planning to travel abroad for pilgrimage, family visits, education, tourism, and the like, a passport should top the list of essential items to carry.

However, individuals travelling out of India for the first time can often end up puzzled about the correct way to apply for a passport online.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, here’s the perfect article to guide you through the process.

Keep reading!

Here are the detailed steps for an online passport application:

Step 1: Go to the official Passport Seva website and register yourself. You can also log in to your existing account.

Step 2: Now, Click on “Apply for Fresh Passport/ Re-issue of Passport”. Note that you must not own an existing Indian passport to apply for a passport online under the “Fresh Passport” category.

Step 3: Fill in the passport online application form with accurate details carefully and click on “Submit”.

Step 4: Now, go back to the home page and select “View Saved/Submitted Applications”.

Step 5: Click on “Pay and Schedule Appointment” from “View Saved/ Submitted Applications”.

Step 6: You can book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra of your choice. Then, select and proceed to make the payment online or offline.

After completing this process, you can download a copy of the application receipt with your application reference number by clicking on ‘Print Application Receipt’.

You will receive an SMS with appointment details. This will act as proof of your appointment on your visit to the Passport Seva Kendra on the scheduled date.

Make sure to carry all original documents on your visit as proof of your eligibility.

Specific criteria must be followed to ensure the passport form is accepted. These guidelines include guidance on what forms to apply for a passport and how to fill it out correctly. Forms for passports can be: 

• Downloaded and printed from the passport (PSP) website (www.passportindia.gov.in) on A4 paper, back-to-back. 

• The form is available on the website's main page as a print application link. 

• Purchased from the locations above.

Apply for a Passport at the District Passport Cell:

You will need to contact the district's relevant passport unit. You may find a list of DPCs. The DPC counter requires you to:

Step 1: Send in the passport application and the required photos. 

Step 2: Provide self-attested supporting documentation 

Step 3: Submit original paperwork for validation (if needed) 

Step 4: Use DD to pay the passport fee. 

Step 5: Get a letter of acknowledgement with the file number. 

The passport application can be manually completed by downloading, printing, and submitting it from the Passport Seva website. The form is also available at the DPC for ₹10. Only the new format should be used while filling out the passport form.

Documentation for Passport Applications at DPC:

Application Form for Passport Photocopies of documents that have been self-attested; however, remember to include the originals as well. The photos should be 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm and free of stamps, inscriptions, or autographs. They must be recent colour photos taken against a white or light background. Next, affix the image. Verify that you have signed the form below your picture.

Apply for a Passport at Speed Post Centers (SPC):

Passport applications can be submitted at Speed Post Centres (SPCs) using a process established by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts. Still, only a few speed post locations in your neighbourhood will take your passport application and supporting documents.

• You can only apply for a new or fresh passport at these locations. You can accomplish the same thing at Speed Post Centres as you can at District Passport Cells. Purchase, complete, and turn in passport application paperwork at SPC. The form and an envelope will cost you ₹20. 

• You will also need to provide supporting self-attested documentation with the duly filled out and signed application form (which should include the standard passport photos attached).

• The passport fee must be paid at the SPC for new or fresh passport applications. The only permitted payment methods are demand drafts or cash. Like the DPC, the DD must be issued in the PAO-MEA's favour and paid at the RPO city. 

• The back of the DD should have your name, birthdate, and the date your application was filed. After that, you'll have a key number that you can use to check at the passport office.

Passport Application at Citizen Service Centers (CSC):

Like DPCs and SPCs, passport forms can be obtained, filled out, and presented at CSCs with the required documentation (originals and photocopies) and photos. The process can be completed after payment. 

The only methods of payment accepted at CSC for the passport fee are cash and credit/debit cards. After the process, you will receive a reference number that you can use to track the status of your application.

Apply for a Passport at PSK (Passport Seva Kendra):

Unlike DPCs, SPCs, and CSCs, PSKs accept application forms for new or fresh passports and other applications and related services. Appointments are not always required at PSK. These people are referred to as walk-in candidates. These are:

• Tatkal or urgent cases

• Police Clearance Certificates (PCC)

• Senior Citizens

• Minors

• Handicapped

If you are a walk-in applicant, you must get an ARN receipt and finish the online application process via the passport website. Then, you must come to the PSK during walk-in hours with this ARN receipt and any other required paperwork. If a token was not issued, walk-ins are permitted for a maximum of three days following the initial appointment date.

You have to be eligible to apply for the passport. Here are the basic eligibility criteria for passport application:

• The eligibility requirements that need to be met are as follows: 

• Indian nationals who are at least eighteen years old may apply. 

• For minors under 18, the passport is valid for five years or until the child turns eighteen, whichever comes first. 

• Children between 15 and 18 are eligible for a passport with a 10-year validity period. 

• The parents may also apply for good passports until the children turn eighteen.

You will need the following information to check the progress of your passport application: 

• Date of the applicant's birth.

• A distinct 15-digit identification number is provided after the passport application is submitted.

You can trace the status of your passport application online or offline using the credentials in the various methods listed below.

Check the Status of Your Passport Application on Passport Seva Portal

The following procedures must be followed to check the status of your passport application using the Passport Seva platform:

Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva platform.

Step 2: The "Track Application Status" button is one of the options listed on the home screen's right side. Select it. 

Step 3: After being routed, you must choose the passport type you applied for. 

Step 4: Enter your application's "File Number," a 15-digit number. 

Step 5: Click the "Track Status" button after entering your birthdate. 

Step 6: The passport application status check should appear on your screen.

Check Passport Status Online via the mPassport Seva Mobile App

The Indian government offers a mobile app called mPassport Seva for passport-related services. This software also lets you quickly check your passport's status online. You can use this way to track the status of your passport application by completing these steps: 

Step 1: Download the mPassport Seva app for iOS or Android, depending on your device. 

Step 2: Finish the registration process by entering your email address, birthdate, and name. 

Step 3: Look for the "Status Tracker" option on the app.

Step 4: You can enter the File Number and your date of birth in the status tracker. 

Step 5: The passport application will be displayed on the app.

If you do not want to use the internet alternatives, here's how to check your passport application:

Track Passport Application Status via SMS

Use SMS to check the status of your passport application. To track your passport application via the SMS service, follow these instructions.

Step 1: Make use of the mobile number you registered. 

Step 2: Text "STATUS (File Number)" to 9704100100 via SMS. 

Step 3: An SMS with the status of your passport application will be sent to you. 

Important: Please be aware that this SMS feature requires payment. Therefore, ordinary SMS fees will be charged.

Track Passport Application Status via Toll-Free Service Number

To track the status of your passport application via the toll-free service, follow these steps:

Step 1: Dial the toll-free number "1800-258-1800" to reach the National Call Centre. 

Step 2: An executive or an automated interactive voice response will be your connection. 

Step 3: Give your file number and enquire about the progress of your passport application. 

Important: Please note that, as indicated below, the contact information for the same service differs in some areas.

You can monitor the passport's application and dispatch and delivery status. The India Speed Post service delivers a passport to the correct recipient at the address provided on the application form. 

The official India Post website allows you to check the status of your passport online for both shipping and delivery. The steps for the same are as follows: 

Step 1: Get your 13-digit tracking ID by going to the Passport Seva portal. 

Step 2: Visit "India Post's" official website. 

Step 3: Select the "Track Consignment" section. 

Step 4: Enter the code on your screen and fill in the tracking ID under "Consignment Number.”

Step 5: To view the passport's dispatch and delivery status, click "Track Now." 

PSK still needs to send your passport if no information is found during the search.

Passport dispatching is done by India Post through speed post to the address mentioned by the applicant while filling up the passport application form.

The processing time for general passport applicants is 30 to 45 days. However, the passport application time is 7 to 14 days for applications made under the Tatkal mode.

You can track the delivery status by going onto the Tracking Utility feature available on the India Post’s Speed post portal.

If you are wondering how long your new passport will be valid, here is a brief overview -

• A normal passport generally consists of 36/60 pages and is valid for 10 years from the date it is issued.
• For citizens below the age of 18, the validity of a passport is 5 years.
• Minors aged 15-18 can opt for a 10-year valid passport. Furthermore, they can go for a passport which is valid till they turn 18.

Now that you are aware of the various requirements to apply for a passport online, go ahead with our discussed application procedure.

Note that if you need your passport urgently, you can submit an application stating its reason to the nearest RPO. The Regional Officer would then decide its delivery time, considering your request.