General Guidelines-Indian Passport-FAQs 

General Information 

Normally, an ordinary passport is valid for ten years from the date of issue. Minors are issued passports for 5 years up to attaining 18 years, whichever is earlier. Minors, who are more than 15 years of age, have option to apply for reissue of a 10- year passport. However, the Passport Issuing Authority can issue passport even for a short duration subject to certain conditions. 

CAUTION 

1. It is an offence to hold more than one valid passport at a time. 
2. Under Section 12 (1A) of the Passport Act 1967, possession of Indian passport by a foreign national is a cognisable offence. This equally applies to Indian nationals who have acquired the foreign nationality. 
3. It is an offence under the Passport Act 1967 to furnish false information in the application. Passport facilities would be denied on grounds of suppression of material information, submission of incorrect particulars, wilful damage/loss of passport or for unauthorised 

change/tampering.The passport can be impounded or revoked for violation of one or more of the provisions of the Passport Act. 

4. Loss of passport should be immediately reported to the nearest Police Station and to the Passport Office or Indian Mission, if abroad. Passport holder shall be responsible for misuse of passport, due to non-intimation of loss, to the concerned Passport Office/Indian Mission. Passport is a government property and should be surrendered when demanded in writing by any Passport Issuing Authority. 

How to Apply 

5. The application for a Passport or Passport related service is to be filled online on Global Passport Seva Portal (GPSP) online portal: https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/mission/ 6. Please read the instructions booklet carefully before filling the application 7. Online application form for Passport service, should be properly filled with complete and correct details in all respects. Printout of the application should be submitted at VFS Global Centres, Outsourced Service Provider (OSP) along with appointment-confirmation. The application for the service in any other form is not acceptable. 
6. Two addresses should be furnished as required in the application form, one Indian address and other / current address in UK along with the proof of current address. Kindly mention the correct and the complete Indian address in application for purpose of police verification. 9. Change in personal particulars or address must be accompanied with the requisite supporting documents. 
7. All applicants (including minors) seeking passport related service should submit the application in person to VFS Global Centres in UK for identification. 
8. All signatures in the application should be with ballpoint pen of black or blue ink. Those who cannot affix their signatures like infants, minors or illiterate should put their thumb impression in the place of signature. The signature of the applicant should exactly fit in the prescribed column.
9. All applications to be accompanied by photocopy of the current passport (first and last page). A self attested copy of UK eVisa (online immigration status) along with share code or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), as the case may be, also to be enclosed. 13. The delivery of processed documents will be done preferably to the applicant himself/herself or to the person authorized by the applicant in writing and accompanied by the official receipt given to him/her at the time of submission. 
10. The fees for renewal and various passport related services including all kinds of miscellaneous services on passport, are prescribed by Government of India from time to time and are subject to change.  
11. The old Passport will be retained during the period of the processing of renewal of passport. 
12. It is absolutely necessary to use your recent original Indian Passport details whilst filling your Passport Application. Incorrect address may cause delay in the issuance of Passport. 17. Information on the passport application form, your existing passport and all supplementary forms must be identical.  
13. Applicants are required to furnish original documents along with one set of self attested photocopies of the same at the time of submission of application. 

PLEASE NOTE: 

Editing of applicant's personal information WILL NOT be allowed after their applications are physically received at Outsourced Service Provider. 

The application will be REJECTED on technical grounds if there is a variance with information in passport. 

The rejected application will be returned to the applicant and they will have to redo the entire process. 

The Fee is not refundable 

Any variance in the data mentioned in the applicant's passport and that mentioned in the online application form will be the sole responsibility of the applicant and they have to ensure that the data is validated correctly before sending their application to Collection/Delivery Center. 

Outsourced Service Provider is not authorised to 'Edit' the details in the application form. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

(i) Question: Till what time Passport Application could be submitted for reissue before the date of expiry? Answer: You can apply for reissue of Indian passport when passport has less than one year (12 months) of validity left. You can also apply for reissue of Indian passport anytime if you have a change in personal particulars, appearance, signature, or if passport is lost or damaged or pages are exhausted. 

(ii) Question: Can I apply for additional pages in my passport/ apply for additional booklet? Answer: There is no facility to add more pages to the existing passport or avail an additional booklet for appending it to the current passport. Applicants are required to apply for a new passport due to exhaustion of pages. 

(iii) Question: Can a UK address be reflected in an Indian Passport? Answer: Usually, a UK address is not permitted on the Indian passport. However, in exceptional circumstances only, when the applicant proves that he/she does not have a permanent address in India and he/she has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in

UK, an applicant may be permitted to reflect his/her UK address in his/her Indian passport. An affidavit from the applicant about his/her not having a permanent address in India, must be attached with the application. 

(iv) Question: Can I retain my Indian Passport for travel after acquiring a foreign nationality? 

Answer: Indian Citizenship Act does not provide for dual citizenship. Thus, Indian nationals (including minors) who have acquired foreign citizenship are required to apply for Renunciation of Indian citizenship and also surrender their Indian passports to get a certificate of Surrender of Indian Passport. Possession of Indian Passport by foreign nationals is a cognisable offence. This equally applies to Indian nationals who have acquired foreign nationality. 

(V) Question: From where I can download the Annexures/Affidavits for Indian Passport? Answer: https://passportindia.gov.in/psp/Annexures 

Question: How long does it take to process a passport renewal? 

A: Passport renewal processing times vary depending on the service option selected and  current application volumes. 

• Standard Processing (Normal): Typically takes 4–6 weeks. 
• Fast Track Processing (Tatkaal): Usually takes 10 working days (additional fees  may apply). 

Processing times begin once the application has been received and accepted at the  Consulate. Delays may occur during peak travel seasons or if additional documentation is  required. We strongly recommend applying well in advance of your planned travel date. 

Q: What documents are required for Indian passport renewal? 

A: You can follow the official list of required documents provided in the link below: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/uk/passport-services 

This page contains the full checklist of required forms and supporting documents for  passport renewal. 

Note:- Please follow the website of PSP Division of Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi https://passportindia.gov.in/ and Passport Act/ Rules to know more details. If any discrepancy regarding the website is noticed, it may be brought to notice of Consulate General of India, Birmingham immediately at inf.birmingham@mea.gov.in