Passports come with an expiry date, and it’s important to renew them in time if you’re planning to travel. Generally, you should start the passport renewal process in India about six months before your passport expires. But even if it has already expired, you can still get it renewed. This is what we call the renewal of passport.
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The first step to how to renew passport in India is to visit the official Passport Seva website (passportindia.gov.in) and create an account. It’s a quick process where you just need to enter your email and set a password.
Once you’re logged in, select the option for passport renewal. You will be asked to fill out a form with your details like name, date of birth, address, and passport number. Double-check the details to make sure they match your current passport because any mistakes can delay the passport renewal process in India.
Now it’s time to gather and submit the documents required for passport renewal. These include:
Depending on your case, you might need extra documents, especially if your name or address has changed. Make sure to check the Indian passport renewal document checklist on the website to avoid any surprises.
After submitting the form and documents, you will need to pay the passport renewal fee. The amount depends on whether you are applying for a normal or urgent (Tatkal) passport and the number of pages in your passport (36 or 60). Payments can easily be made online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
Once you’ve paid the fee, you’ll need to book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Attending the appointment is important as they’ll verify your documents and take your biometrics (fingerprints and photos).
On the day of your appointment, make sure to carry all the required documents in both original and photocopy form. Once your documents are verified, they’ll take your biometrics and you’ll get an acknowledgment receipt. The process usually doesn’t take more than a few hours.
After your appointment, you can easily track the status of your application online. To know how to track your passport renewal application, just log in to the Passport Seva website and use your application number or reference number to get updates.
Once everything is verified, your new passport will be printed and delivered to your address within a couple of weeks. You’ll also receive an SMS with your delivery details.
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