How to Apply for Passport Offline

These centers will sell and accept passport forms (only for first-time passport applicants; applications for passport renewals, reissues, diplomatic, or official passports, as well as other associated services, will not be accepted). They will also gather and verify supporting documentation and collect the necessary passport fees.

These facilities do not collect biometrics or fingerprints. Following completion, the application is sent to the relevant Regional Passport Office (RPO) for additional processing, such as establishing contact with law enforcement agencies for document issuance, printing, lamination, and dispatch.

Applications from these centers were permitted in order to lessen the workload for PSKs and POs, the main passport issuing authorities. 

Offline Passport Application Process

The passport form can be filled in and submitted manually at the abovementioned centres. For instructions on what forms to be filled in to apply for a passport and how to fill in the passport form correctly, there are certain guidelines to be followed to avoid rejection of the passport form. 

Passport forms can be :

1. Downloaded and printed (back-to-back, A4 paper) off the internet from the passport (PSP) website (www.passportindia.gov.in). The form can be found on the websites home page as a link called Print Application Form.
2. Bought at the abovementioned centres.

How to Apply Offline at a District Passport Cell

You will have to approach the appropriate passport cell for your district. A list of DPCs can be obtained here. At the DPC counter you will have to 

Step 1: Submit the passport forms with photographs (as per specifications) 

Step 2: Submit supporting documentation (self-attested) 

Step 3: Provide original documentation for verification (if required) 

Step 4: Pay passport fee via DD 

Step 5: Receive Acknowledgement Letter containing the File Number 

You can manually fill out the passport form on the Passport Seva website by downloading it, printing it, and submitting it. For Rs. 10, you can purchase the form at the DPC as well. The passport form should only be filled out in the updated format.

Documents Required for Passport Application at DPC

1. Passport Application Form
2. Self-attested photocopies of documents but remember to carry along the originals as well
3. Photos should measure 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm and be clear of any inscriptions, stamps, or autographs. It should be a colour image that was recently taken against a light or white background. Then attach the picture. Make care you sign the form beneath the photo.

Passport Application at Speed Post Centers (SPC)

Applications for passports can be filed at Speed Post Centres (SPCs) under a procedure set up by the Department of Posts and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). However, only a few Speed Post Centres in your district will accept your passport application and paperwork.

As stated, only at these locations can you apply for a new or fresh passport. Like at District Passport Cells, you can do the same thing at Speed Post Centres. 

1. Buy, fill and submit passport application forms at the SPC. The form will cost Rs.20 including an envelope

1. Along with the properly completed and signed application form (which should have the normal passport images attached), you will need to provide accompanying self-attested paperwork. 
2. For new or fresh passport applications, the passport fee must be paid at the SPC. Only cash or demand drafts are accepted forms of payment. The DD should be issued in favour of PAO-MEA and due at the RPO city, same like in the case of the DPC. Your name, date of birth, and the filing date of your application should be on the reverse of the DD. 
3. You will then receive a key number which can be used to check at the passport office.

Passport Application at Citizen Service Centers (CSC)

Passport forms can be purchased, filled out, and presented at CSCs along with the necessary paperwork (originals and photocopies) and photos, much like with DPCs and SPCs. The procedure can be finished by paying the necessary cost.

Only cash or credit/debit cards are accepted for payment of the passport fee at CSC. You will be given a reference number at the end of the procedure, which you can use to check the progress of your application.

Offline Passport Form Submission at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Application forms for new or fresh passports, as well as other sorts of applications and related services, can be submitted at PSKs, unlike DPCs, SPCs, and CSCs. At PSK, appointments are not always necessary. Those who fall into this group are known as walk-in candidates. These are -

1. Tatkaal or urgent cases
2. Police Clearance Certificates (PCC)
3. Senior Citizens
4. Minors
5. Handicapped
6. Cases where tokens were not issued due to issues with documents.

In the event that you are a walk-in applicant, you must first complete the online application process through the passport site and obtain an ARN receipt. You must attend the PSK during the walk-in hours and bring this ARN receipt and any necessary documentation. 

For cases where token was not issued, walk-ins are allowed up to 3 days from the original appointment date.

Passport Application Process at Regional Passport Office

Except for the specific applications that passport offices are permitted to complete, you are generally not able to apply for a passport directly at a passport office or regional passport office.

Sometimes, regional passport offices will provide cautions about whether passport applications will be accepted at the passport office. The passport office follows the same manual application process as the other circumstances stated above.

If you apply through the Passport Office, you will need to turn in the necessary application form, which you can purchase at the PO or get on the passport website.

You must send the completed form, a standard passport photo, and photocopies of the necessary supporting papers, along with the originals for verification. To finish the process, the necessary passport fee must also be paid in the designated manner.