Passport Reference Number

1. For adults (18 years and above), the applicant must submit proof of birth such as a birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or any other acceptable document. 

1. For minors (below 18 years), additional documents such as parents' passports and birth certificates may be required. 

1. Residential proof: The applicant should be residing at the address mentioned in the application form for a certain period (usually six months or more). Proof of address may be required. 

1. Identity proof: The applicant must provide valid proof of identity such as Aadhaar card, voter ID card, driving license, etc. 

1. No Criminal Record: Applicants may need to declare any criminal record, and in certain cases, a police verification may be conducted. 

1. No Dual Citizenship: Indian citizens are not allowed to hold dual citizenship.  

Uses of the Passport Reference Number

Passport Reference Number can be used for following purposes: 

1. To track the application status of your passport application. 
2. The Passport Reference Number is used during the police verification process. 

How to Get the Passport Reference File Number

When you submit the application for a passport, you will receive a passport reference file number. After submitting the application form and paying the registration money, you will receive a passport reference file number. Then, you can use this number to find out the status of your passport application.

If you misplace your passport reference file number, you must visit your local Regional Passport Office (RPO), where an official will help you reclaim it.

When Do You Receive the Passport Reference File Number?

Passport Reference File Numbers are only provided after a passport application has been submitted. When the application for the passport is received, the applicant will be given a number.

The applicant must pay the passport fee and submit the application. Since the number is required to monitor the progress of your passport application, it is essential to keep it secure. 

Breakdown of the Passport Reference File Number

The breakup of Passport Reference File Number are given below: 

1. The first four digits of the Passport Reference Number is the city or the state in which you reside and from where you have submitted the application for passport.  
2. The next two digits are the year in which the application for a passport was submitted.  
3. The remaining six digits are the number of the application that is made in that particular state or city 

Purpose of the File Number

The issuance of the passport may occasionally be delayed because of an issue with the paperwork or other issues. This code will be applied in these circumstances to transmit notification.

This number can be used by anyone who has applied for a passport to check the status of their application. The individual can visit the passport office to resolve any issues with their passport application after the status check. Additionally, it will provide a precise estimation of the customer's passport delivery date. 

How to Track Your Passport Status Using the Reference Number

Follow the steps given below to track the status of passport using reference number: 

Step 1: Select the application type from the dropdown menu, choosing 'Passport/ PCC/ IC/ GEP.' 

Step 2: Enter the File number, the passport reference number assigned to you upon successful application submission. 

Step 3: Provide your date of birth as per the records submitted with the passport application. 

Step 4: Click on 'Track Status.' 

When Is the Passport Reference Number Created?

The Ministry of External Affairs oversees the centralised passport application procedure. The online passport application form must first be completed by the applicants. In order to verify that the application is complete, it must be submitted along with a prescribed set of documents that are specific to the applicant's category. 

 The list of required documents varies depending on the applicant's category, and further information can be found by clicking the following link to access the official passport application portal. 

Step 1: Click on https://www.passportindia.gov.in/

Step 2: Click on Home, and then on Document Advisor  

Step 3: Submit the application form and make the payment choosing any payment mode of your choice – Debit Card, Credit Card, SBI Challan, Net Banking.

To physically submit a printed copy of the passport application form and the linked papers, the applicant must choose from the available time slots a visit to the closest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

It should be noted that older folks can submit the physical copy of the application form and the other papers by walking into the Passport Seva Kendra closest to them without needing to make an appointment first. 

The system will issue a Passport Reference Number once the applicant has submitted the application form, the required paperwork, and the necessary biometrics. It serves as a temporary internal reference code. It is a 12-digit alphanumeric code that, as was already said, directly refers to the application. It can be used to monitor the applicant's passport application's progress. 

About Passport Reference File Number

The Passport Reference File Number (PRFN) is a code composed of letters, digits, and the year the passport application was submitted. The code will begin with the location where the passport application was submitted and end with the year.

If a person filed for a passport in Madras in 2008, the code would begin with MASW and end with 08. Six additional digits will be sandwiched between the letter code and the number. The 12-digit Passport Reference File Number cannot be repeated.