Before applying for a passport for your newborn, you must go through the complete requirements for the same to ensure that the process is completed efficiently.
Here are the essential documents, other requirements and steps for applying for a newborn's passport in India
1. Proof of Date of Birth
You will need to submit the birth certificate of the newborn as the primary document for proof of date of birth. The birth certificate should be issued by the Municipal Authority or the office of the Registrar of Births & Deaths.
2. Photographs
Recent passport-sized photographs of the infant are required. Please click here for guidelines on capturing photographs for minors below 4 years of age. Above 4 years, the photo is clicked at PSK.
3. Application Form
The passport application for a newborn can be filled out and submitted online through the official Passport Seva website. Register on the portal, fill in the passport application form, and then submit it. After submission, schedule an appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO).
4. Parental Authorization
Both parents' passports are required as part of the documentation process. This is to ensure both parents consent to the passport being issued for the newborn. However, if due to any reason, one parent is not present, Annexure C must be signed and submitted.
If the spouse’s name is not endorsed on the parents’ passport, the marriage certificate is required.
There are other special cases as in divorce, single separated parent, child of unwed mother, children born out of wedlock or children in orphanages, etc., where father’s name might not be available, or mother might not be ready to mention. All these cases are granted passport with the required documents. Check the requirements for these cases here.
5. Address Proof
You need to submit address proof that is valid and recent. This could include utility bills, Aadhaar card, bank passbooks, or any other document as specified in the passport application documentation list. Also, one of the parents’ passports is considered valid proof.
6. Annexure H
This is a mandatory declaration that needs to be filled out and signed by both parents. It is part of the application form and needs to be submitted along with the other documents. Annexure H is specifically required for minors and attests to the parents' consent for the passport being issued to the child.
7. Application Fee
The application fee for a newborn's passport can be paid online through the Passport Seva portal at the time of filling the application. Generally, the regular passport application fee for a minor in India is ₹1000, and the tatkal passport fee for the same is ₹ 2000.
8. Visit to Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO)
On the date of the appointment, both parents along with the newborn must visit the PSK or RPO. Carry all original documents for verification. Carry the appointment receipt. The appointment SMS received on registered number also serves the purpose.
9. Police Verification
Depending on specific cases, police verification for your child passport may be required. However, in the case of newborns, it's generally post-issuance and quite straightforward, especially if either of the parents holds a valid passport.
Ensure you have all the necessary documents ready and keep track of your application status online. The process is designed to be user-friendly and efficient, aiming to issue passports with minimal hassle.