My Tryst with the Indian Passport Office

If you are one of those Indian’s that breaks out into a sweat, gets all agitated and hassled at the thought of having to deal with our government bodies for any sort of work, then you might sympathize with me.


If you or anyone you know has ever applied for a passport in the good old “passport agent days” you know what I mean when I say that agents that helped with making passports seemed like a boon as you didn't have to wait in never ending queue’s and sweat it out trying to get your passport application submitted. 

For those of you that are planning to apply for your passport (new/re-issue) I hope my entry will answer a few questions.

In December of 2012 my passport was due to become invalid and so I decided to start the procedure of getting the passport renewed. The process of passport application/renewal seems fairly simple on the passport office website.

1. You create a login for your application on the website: http://www.passportindia.gov.in
2. Download the form that can be filled offline and then uploaded to the website OR you can fill the form online itself. Best part of the online form is that you can return to it later in case you are interrupted while filling it.
3. Once you upload your application form on the website, you will then be able to upload supporting documents that are required to be carried with you to the passport office. Please note the following important pointers:
1. If you are applying for a re-issue passport, please do not believe the online document advisor that states that only a photocopy of your old passport (first and last 2 pages) would be required along with application form. The truth is that you need to carry in original and 1 photocopy the following documents:
1. the old passport in original and photocopy of front and last 2 pages of the same
2. residence proof - even if you address hasn’t changed and is the same as on the old passport
3. ID proof
4. Date of Birth proof
5. Graduation Certificate (if applicable)
2. Uploading the documents on the website would in no way mean that you will not be required to carry the originals and photocopy to the passport office. The only good uploading the document does is that the people at the passport office will not have to do it themselves.
3. For address proof, keep 2 supporting documents, just in case they ask you for something other than the one you wish to give them.
4. To get an appointment at the PSK (Passport Seva Kendra) please check the time that passport office starts the booking online. For Mumbai it is 3 pm daily. Keep in mind if you log in at 3:10 pm you will get a message saying no more appointments available. That is how quickly appointment slots get taken. So if you do want to be BS’ed around for 2 months like I was, log in at 3 pm (or whatever time it is for your city) sharp and get your appointment.
5. Try to get you appointment in the first half of the day, it’ll probably ensure you have to make just one trip to the PSK.
6. The website tell you to arrive at the PSK 30 mins prior to your appointment time, unless you have a tatkal application you might want to go earlier. The queues are horribly long.

All the above is just the preparation stage. Getting your passport application through (new or renewal) seems like cooking now. I hate cooking just for the record. LOL that aside, now for the fun facts..

• Your documents will be checked at every stage. When you arrive at the PSK, the security will check your application form and then go ahead and frisk you before sending you inside.
• Once inside you stand in a queue that is long (unless you are the lucky first few to have arrived at the PSK that day). The queue for tatkal, reissue and fresh applications are separate so ensure you stand in the right queue.
• Once you arrive at the counter, they will check your documents, they may or may not ask for your originals at this stage (i wasn't asked, person before me was). If they find all your documents to be in place, you will be given a token number and sent ahead.

If you have your token, congratulations you have 3 more critical steps before you are done.
Your token allows you to enter the office, where your application is processed through counters A, B and C.

Counter A is where all your documents will be checked against the originals. Payments will be taken for your passport application. Fingerprints and photographs taken (see why agents can’t do this for you anymore), etc.


Counter B and C to be honest I have no clue what they do, but they do check your documents again and ask you questions (sometimes). Once all 3 counters are cleared you are a free man/woman again, all thats left is to collect an acknowledgement letter for your application and leave.


Please note that while the last 2 steps seem like something that will happen quick, it won’t unless ofcourse yours is a tatkal application. Tatkal applicants gets preferential treatment ensuring that you finish your work in the same day. You even get your passport within 2 days of application (only tatkal applications).

Facilities available at PSK’s:

• ATM
• Photocopying
• Coffee/snacks

What I recommend:

• If you are like me and by that I mean easily bored, then carry a book or ipod/mp3 player along. The waiting periods can be gruesome otherwise.
• Freshen up after you get your token if possible, else you look horrid in your passport photograph.
• Ask for help if you are not sure of something, they are well government employee’s so don’t expect them to go out of their way, but they will help out.

If you have any doubts, feel free to ask questions, I will help as best I can.