A passport is a travel document issued by a country’s government to its citizens that verifies the identity and nationality of the holder for the purpose of international travel.

Under the Passports Act, 1967, all Indian citizens should possess a valid passport to travel abroad. In India, a Passport is issued by the Consular, Passport, and Visa Division under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. A Passport is nothing but a document issued by the government, as proof of citizenship allowing you to travel internationally.

Types of Passport Application

1. Fresh Passport Application: When you don’t have a Passport already and applying for the first time, it comes under the category of Fresh Passport.

2. Re-issue of Passport: When you have a passport but need a new one, you have to re-issue your passport. It can be done for various reasons mentioned below-

• Renewal – The passport is approaching the end of its validity or has expired
• Changes – The details in the passport need to be modified or corrected or updated
• Replacement – The passport has been damaged or lost and a duplicate is required
• Page Addition – The available pages have been used upon a valid passport.

3. Tatkaal Passport Application: This option is selected when you need to apply for passports on an urgent basis.

4. Police Clearance Certificate: This is for a person who has a passport but is applying for Employment/Long-Term Visa/Residential Status/Immigration.

5. Diplomatic/Official Passport Application: This type of passport is needed when you travel on government work i.e. for diplomats.

6. Identity Certificate: This is for a person who is not a citizen of India but is residing in India being stateless i.e. a refugee. It is also called an alien passport and is mostly issued to Tibetan refugees.

How to apply for a passport?

Step 1: First of all you have to download the Passport application online. 

For instructions on what forms to be filled to apply for a passport and how to fill the passport form correctly, there are certain guidelines to be followed to avoid rejection of the passport form.

Or else for saving time, and for getting your passport application form filled correctly, you can use eSahayak. 

With eSahayak, you just have to fill the questionnaire, and your Passport Application form is ready. The form is created as per the guidelines and helps you to generate your Passport application hassle-free. 

Step 2: Now you have to upload the downloaded application, by logging into the Passport Seva site.

Step 3: The filled e-Form should be uploaded in XML format. Then select the proof of birth and proof of present residential address. Then click ‘Upload’. The selected documents need to be submitted to the PSK/POPSK office for verification.

Step 4: After uploading documents, you have to make the payment and schedule an appointment for documents verification of the same. 

Step 5: After the police verification of the details and documents submitted, the passport mailed to your address submitted in the form. 

Documents to be submitted with Passport application online-

In order to get a passport, the applicant should possess the basic supporting documents listed below.

• Passbook Copy of the current bank account.
• Aadhaar card
• Electricity bill
• Rent agreement
• Driving license
• PAN card
• Landline or postpaid mobile bill
• Proof of gas connection
• Income Tax assessment order
• School leaving certificate
• Birth certificate issued by the Municipal Corporation

Where to Apply For a Passport?

You can apply for a passport either online by submitting the passport application form on the passport website, or offline, by submitting the form at any of the below centers.

1. District Passport Cell (DPC)
2. Speed Post Centre (SPC)
3. Citizen Service Centre (CSC)

These centers only accept passport forms for new passports. At these centers, you can submit your application form and supporting documents and verify the same and collect the required passport fees. 

Fingerprints/biometrics are not collected at these centers. Once this is done, the application is forwarded to the appropriate Regional Passport Office (RPO) for further processing i.e. connecting with police departments for police verification, issuance, printing, and lamination, and dispatching of the passport.

You can also apply for a Passport through the post office Passport Seva Kendra

Department of Posts (DoP) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have now come up with this new initiative and are now leveraging the network of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras in order to provide passport services to citizens on a larger scale and to ensure wider area coverage for the benefits of the citizens

Now you don’t have to travel long distances if you don’t have a Passport Seva Kendra near you. The facility has brought convenience to the general public in making passport services available in their vicinity through Post Offices.

Passports are necessary if you’d like to travel abroad as they verify your identity and nationality. They grant the bearer safe passage and protection in a foreign land.

So get your passport application done now, with eSahayak!