Passport Seva is the official government portal operated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. It serves as a single-window platform for Indian citizens to access all passport-related services online. Whether you are planning to travel abroad for tourism, higher education, employment, or medical reasons, this portal is your starting point.
Passport Seva: Complete Guide to Services, Online Application, Fees & Official Links
Through the Passport Seva system, citizens can apply for a new passport (Fresh Passport), renew an expired one (Re-issue), expedite the process (Tatkaal Passport), and obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) seamlessly.
Important Services
| Service | Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Passport | Apply for a new ordinary passport | Apply through Passport Seva |
| Re-issue of Passport | Renew/re-issue an existing passport or update applicable details | Re-issue Document Advisor |
| Tatkaal Passport | Apply under the Tatkaal scheme, subject to eligibility | Passport Seva Portal |
| Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | Apply for a PCC for eligible purposes | Apply for PCC |
| Appointment | Check available PSK/POPSK appointment slots | Check Appointment Availability |
Eligibility Criteria
Any citizen of India is eligible to apply for a passport, provided they meet the basic legal requirements:
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
| Citizenship | The applicant must be a citizen of India (by birth, descent, or registration). |
| Age Limit | There is no minimum or maximum age limit. Applications can be made for newborn babies (Minors) as well as senior citizens. |
| Legal/Criminal Record | The applicant must not have any serious criminal proceedings pending in a recognized Indian court. |
Documents Required
When applying for a passport, you generally need to prove three primary things: your identity, your date of birth, and your current residential address.
| Document Type | Accepted Documents (Submit Any One) | Purpose/Notes |
| Address Proof | Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, recent Electricity/Water Bill, Bank Passbook, Registered Rent Agreement, Income Tax Assessment Order. | Serves as proof of your current residence. Police Verification is conducted at this specific address. |
| Date of Birth Proof | Birth Certificate, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, 10th Standard Marksheet / School Leaving Certificate. | Verifies your legal age and date of birth. |
| Non-ECR Proof | 10th Standard Marksheet, Higher Education Degree, or Income Tax Return. | If you have passed 10th grade, you qualify for a Non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) passport. |
Note for Minors: For applicants under 18, the original passports of both parents (if available), the minor’s Aadhaar Card, and an Annexure (consent letter) are strictly required.
Application Fee & Processing Time (Revised 2026)
The Government of India revised the Passport fee structure effective July 1, 2026. Applicants must pay the fees online before booking an appointment.
| Application Type / Category | Revised Application Fee (2026) | Processing Time (Approx.) |
| Fresh / Re-issue (36 Pages) | ₹2,500 | 15 to 30 Days |
| Fresh / Re-issue (60 Pages) | ₹3,500 | 15 to 30 Days |
| Tatkaal Passport | ₹6,000 | 3 to 7 Days |
| Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | ₹750 | 10 to 20 Days |
| Lost/Damaged Replacement (36 Pages) | ₹5,000 | Subject to Police Verification |
| Lost/Damaged Replacement (60 Pages) | ₹6,000 | Subject to Police Verification |
Apply / Access / Track / Download
| User Need | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Register / Login / Apply | Passport Seva Portal |
| Track Application | Track Passport Application |
| Check Appointment | Appointment Availability |
| Correction / Update / Re-issue | Re-issue Document Advisor |
How to Apply for a Passport Online: Step-by-Step Process
The application process is entirely digitized up until the physical document verification stage.
Step 1: Portal Registration – Visit the official website and click on ‘New User Registration’. Select the Passport Office corresponding to your current address, enter your basic details (Name, Date of Birth, Email ID), and create a Login ID and Password.
Step 2: Login and Form Filling – Log into the portal using the ‘Existing User Login’ button. On your dashboard, click ‘Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport’. You can choose to fill out the form entirely online or download an offline PDF, fill it out, and upload it in XML format.
Step 3: Enter Accurate Details – Carefully fill in your personal details, family information, current address, and emergency contact information. Ensure that every detail matches your supporting documents exactly (especially the spelling of names and your date of birth).
Step 4: Payment and Appointment Booking – Once the form is submitted, click on ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’. Complete the online payment using your preferred method. After a successful transaction, select your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) and choose an available date and time slot.
Step 5: Visit the PSK for Biometrics – On the day of your appointment, arrive at the PSK 15 minutes early. Carry all your original documents in a folder along with one set of self-attested photocopies. At the center, your documents will be verified, your photograph will be captured, and your biometric fingerprints will be recorded.
Understanding the Police Verification Process
Police verification is a crucial security step before a passport is issued. It typically happens in two ways depending on your application type:
- Pre-Police Verification (Normal Passport): Once your file clears the PSK, it is sent to your local police station. A police officer will either visit your registered address or call you to the station to verify your identity, address, and criminal record. The passport is printed and dispatched only after this verification is successfully cleared.
- Post-Police Verification (Tatkaal Passport): Under the expedited Tatkaal scheme, if your documents are strong and verifiable (such as a valid Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, and Voter ID), the passport is printed and dispatched to you first. The local police verification is conducted after you receive the passport.
What is a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document required by Indian citizens who are migrating to foreign countries for employment, long-term stay, or residential purposes. Foreign embassies demand a PCC to ensure the applicant has no criminal record in India. You can apply for a PCC through the same Passport Seva portal by selecting ‘Apply for Police Clearance Certificate’. The revised processing fee for a PCC is ₹750.
How to Track Your Application Status
You can monitor the exact location and status of your application online:
- Go to the official website and click on ‘Track Application Status’.
- Select the Application Type (e.g., Passport/PCC/IC).
- Enter your 15-digit alphanumeric File Number (provided to you after your PSK visit).
- Enter your Date of Birth and click ‘Track Status’.(The system will show you whether your file is pending police verification, currently printing, or dispatched via Speed Post).
Common Problems and Solutions
- Payment Failed but Money Deducted: If your payment is debited from your bank but the portal doesn’t show it, do not pay again immediately. Log in, go to the ‘Track Payment Status’ tab, and click verify. The system usually syncs within 1 to 2 hours.
- Missed Appointments: If you miss your scheduled appointment, you can reschedule it. However, strict limits apply: Normal applications can be rescheduled twice within a year of the first appointment, while Tatkaal applications can only be rescheduled once.
- Document Upload Issues: Using the DigiLocker integration to fetch your documents directly into the Passport portal is the safest method. If you are uploading PDFs manually, ensure the file size is strictly under the permitted limit to avoid server errors.
Other Important Links:
- GST Registration Complete Guide
- How to Apply Income Certificate?
- Caste Certificate Complete Process & Guide
Help & Grievance
Users can submit a passport-related grievance online through the official grievance facility. The National Call Centre 1800-258-1800 operates 24×7 and can also register grievances and provide a service-request number for tracking.
Important Note
- Passport applications generally require the applicant’s physical presence at the designated PSK/processing centre with required original documents.
- Tatkaal applications have specific eligibility and additional-document requirements.
- The official portal warns users against fraudulent passport websites and advises using passportindia.gov.in or the official Passport Seva app.