How to apply for Indian passport online — step-by-step (2026)

• Indian citizen by birth, descent, or naturalisation
• No criminal proceedings under Sections specified in Passport Act §6
• Minors: parent consent (Form for Minor) + both parents Annexure D for joint custody

1. Register on Passport Seva — Sign up at passportindia.gov.in with email + mobile. One account per family allowed.
2. Fill Application Form — New passport / Reissue / Tatkaal — choose. Fill all 6 sections. Save as draft if needed.
3. Upload supporting documents — Birth proof + address proof + photo (passport size). Aadhaar accepted as Single Document for PoA + PoDOB.
4. Pay fee online — Normal Rs 1,500 (36-page) / Rs 2,000 (60-page). Tatkaal adds Rs 2,000. UPI/netbanking accepted.
5. Book PSK appointment — Choose nearest PSK/POPSK + date + time slot. Limited slots — book 2 weeks ahead. Reschedule allowed twice.
6. Visit PSK with originals — Reach 15 min before slot. Three counters: A (token + photo), B (verification), C (granting officer).
7. Police verification — Local SHO verifies address; happens post-issue for Normal. Tatkaal often pre-verified or skipped if 2 of 3 conditions met (Aadhaar + voter ID + PAN with same address).
8. Receive passport — Speed Post in 7–14 days for Tatkaal, 30 days Normal. Track at passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/statusTracker.

• Online portal: Passport Seva
• Offline: Any PSK or POPSK after appointment. POPSKs are at India Post head offices in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
• Fee: Normal: ₹1,500 (36-page) / ₹2,000 (60-page) · Tatkaal: add ₹2,000 · Minor (<15): ₹1,000 · Lost passport reissue: ₹3,000
• Timeline: Normal: ~30 days · Tatkaal: 3–7 working days (post-PSK visit). Police verification adds 7–21 days for first passports.

See our complete checklist: Documents required for passport — covers mandatory + optional + size/format specs.

• Slot unavailable — PSK slots fill in minutes after release (12 noon daily). Set alert; try alternate PSK in same city.
• Police verification stuck — file RTI to local SHO + DCP citing Passport Act §6 timeline. ~70% clear within 15 days of RTI filing.
• Annexure rejection (minors) — both parents must sign or produce Annexure C (single parent) / G (court order). No exceptions.
• Address mismatch — Aadhaar address must match application. Update Aadhaar first, then apply.

Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:

1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. The name + designation of the dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. The reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. The likely date of issuance of my certificate / approval.

Auto-fill the PIO details + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →

Track your application status: How to check status guide

Statutory commitment is 3 working days from PSK visit, but real-world: 5–7 days incl. police verification skip-eligibility check. Verified.

Yes — but you need 3 separate documents (PoA + PoDOB + ID). With Aadhaar, single document works as 2 of these.

Usually yes for first passport. Some PSKs do verification at the kendra if you carry Aadhaar + 2 utility bills + recent rent agreement.

File RTI to SHO + DCP Special Branch (Passport cell). Use our police verification RTI generator.

Yes — write to RPO with emergency proof (hospital letter, death certificate). RPO discretion for “out-of-turn” issuance.

• How to check status — 25 high-traffic services
• Documents required — 30 checklists
• All state RTI portals
• Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios

• Official portal: https://www.passportindia.gov.in
• Citizen feedback collected via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).
• Statutory references: see relevant Act sections.

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.