A passport is a document required mostly for traveling abroad, maybe as a tourist, for seeking education abroad, for pilgrimage, and for job requirements abroad. It is issued by a country’s government. In India, the passport is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). 

Passport is a proof of identity and nationality of the individual. so while issuing a passport, documents are strictly checked without any negligence.

Nowadays applying for a passport has become easier, this process from applying for a passport to the time taken for its completion is a speedy job, thus the time taken for the applicant to receive the passport has been reduced.

Indian citizens can apply for passports online. The ministry has made a dedicated online service known as Passport Seva. The applicant has to register on the Passport Seva portal and follow a few steps while Applying for a passport. After completing the process, an appointment can be booked online, and a specified date and time are given to the applicant. An applicant has to visit the Passport Seva Kendra or the Regional Passport Office physically to complete the process along with his original documents.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT ONLINE?

Visit the official site enter the credential required for registration and get started.

Normal passport and Tatkal passport are the two options you have to choose from.

Tatkal passport is a speedy process, the duration taken to complete this process is less as compared to a Normal passport. Police verification is done prior, and in the case of a Normal passport, police verification is done after submitting the application.

The validity of a passport is ten years. It may differ in the case of a minor it may be up to five years or the completion of eighteen years of a minor.

 Then select the option for,

 Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport

 A candidate applying for a passport for the first time can choose the fresh passport option.

while a candidate who holds a passport can apply for a re-issue of the passport.

If you choose a reissue, you are asked,

  • whether the passport validity has expired.
  • passport has been damaged or pages have torn.
  • if you have to make changes in existing particulars of the passport i.e. change in name, address, etc.
  • Then select the pages you require for visa stamping. The passport booklet has 36 pages and 60 pages.

After selecting click the next button.

Here applicant details  such as Given name, Surname should be entered

Always enter your name in an expanded format as initials, full-stop is not allowed.

So always carry documents that should indicate your full name.

if you have ever changed your name, or alias name mention it.

Document required for change in name.

The change in the name should be published in two newspapers, one circulated in the state and one local newspaper, original clippings of two newspapers should be provided as proof of the change in name.

In the case of a married female candidate, there is no need to provide a change in name, therefore no additional documents are required.

Documents required for date of birth are birth certificate, school leaving certificate, and SSC/ HSC board certificate in which the date of birth is mentioned.

qualification whichever you processed should be mentioned.

options provided are 

  • seventh pass and above.
  • tenth pass and above.
  • graduate and above.

ECNR category is automatically selected after entering the qualification.

Certificate of qualification, age, and more than three years of stay abroad with visa stamping on the passport are required as proof for ECNR.

'Emigration Check Required' is printed just above the Name of father / Legal Guardian column on the last page of the booklet

The address should be filled in properly according to your address proof

 If you have a permanent address mention yes.

Address-proof documents should be at least two years old.

You can provide a temporary address.

If you have applied for changes in passport details of your previous passport should be mentioned, including passport number date of issue, and place of issue.

Emergency Contact 

Indicate the name of a person, address, and contact number, who should be informed by the passport authority in case of an emergency other than the passport holder.

Some rules are mentioned 

Whether you have been denied a passport, revoked a passport, have court cases against you, etc.

Rules are to be checked as yes or no.

The document should be selected from various drop-down options for name and address proof and date of birth.

You have the option of uploading documents or Digilocker.

As you have to present yourself and your original documents to the passport Seva Kendra there is no need to upload documents.

Provide the date place and save the application applicant can preview the application form after finding it correct, and submit it.

The fees charged for a normal passport differ for a child's passport and a lost and damaged passport.

Applicable fees will be indicated at the time of payment.

Payment options applicable for passports are SBI, challan, and net banking along with UPI.

After submitting you may choose your appointment date and the passport Seva Kendra you want to visit.

After successful payment, you may print the payment receipt or carry the SMS on your mobile of the date allotted to visit PSK.