Lost or Damaged Passports

Passports can be classified as damaged based on the extent of the damage. A damaged passport is further categorized into two types. The first type is a passport where the passport number is readable, the name is legible, and the photo is intact. The second type is a passport that has been damaged beyond recognition. 

What to Do if You Lose or Damage Your Passport?

1. If you lost or damaged your passport in India: In case of a lost passport, immediate action needs to be taken to report the loss to the nearest Police Station and Passport office.  
2. If an Indian national loses their passport abroad: You need to immediately report the loss to the local Police Station where you are travelling. Contact the Indian Embassy. You can apply for a re-issue of the passport and check the complete list of documents required to be submitted with the application form. To return to India, an Emergency Certificate (EC) is issued after the verification of Indian nationality/origin/particulars. 

If you have lost or damaged your Indian passport, here is a step-by-step procedure to follow: 

Step 1: Contact the local police station to report the loss or damage: The first thing you should do is contact the nearest police station to report the loss or damage. Obtain a copy of the FIR (First Information Report) because you'll need it to apply for a passport. 

Step 2: Collect all the required paperwork: In order to apply for a new passport, you must assemble the required paperwork. These consist of your previous passport (if any), a copy of the FIR, proof of identity, and evidence of address. If your previous passport is not available, you will also need to present other identification, such as a birth certificate, a diploma from your last academic year, or any other document proving your nationality. 

Step 3 : Apply for a new passport: You can apply for a new passport online or in person at your neighbourhood Passport Seva Kendra. (PSK). Complete the application, pay the cost, and provide the required paperwork. Additionally, you will need to make a PSK appointment for a passport interview. 

Step 4: Attend the passport interview: Show up for the passport interview on time. The purpose of the interview is to confirm your identity and make sure the data you supplied on the application form is accurate. 

Step 5: Await the passport's issuance: Your application will be processed, and a new passport will be issued after the interview. Although the length of time it takes to get a passport can vary, you can check the status of your application online. 

You can get an Emergency Certificate (EC) to return to India from the Indian Embassy or Consulate in the event of an emergency, such as a life-threatening sickness or death in the family. The process for acquiring an EC differs from that for obtaining a new passport, and this distinction must be made. 

How to Apply for a Duplicate or New Passport in Case of Loss or Damage?

A new passport with a different passport number and fresh validity may be issued in the case of lost or damaged passports. The applicant needs to apply under the ‘re-issue’ category with the reason as Lost/Damaged passport. Duplicate passports are not issued. 

Lost Passport and No Photocopy Available: In the case of lost, damaged, or stolen passports, producing a photocopy of the old passport is not mandatory, but if available, it should be produced.

It is necessary to provide previous passport details like passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, and place of issue while filling out the passport application form. If the information is not available, the respective Mission/Post should be contacted. 

How to Apply for a Re-issue of a Passport Under Tatkaal Scheme?

If the passport is damaged but not beyond recognition, an applicant can apply for re-issue of the passport under the Tatkaal scheme, provided that the final authority for the issuance of a passport under the Tatkaal scheme lies with the passport office. However, if the passport is damaged beyond recognition, the applicant cannot apply under the Tatkaal scheme. 

What are the Documents Required for the Issuance of a new Passport after Losing a Passport in the U.S.?

In case of a lost passport in the U.S. and subsequent return to India on an Emergency Certificate, an applicant needs to apply for a re-issue of passport.

The required documents to be submitted along with the application are Proof of Present Address, Proof of Date of Birth, Affidavit stating how and where the passport got lost/damaged (Annexure 'F'), Police report in original, Self-attested photocopy of the first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR  page of old passport (if available), and Original EC/Seizure Memo. In some cases, confirmation from the Indian Mission/Post concerned may also be required. 

Fees and Charges for Applying for Lost or Damaged Passports

If you have lost or damaged your passport, you can get it replaced by paying a fee. The fee for the replacement of a 36-page passport in lieu of a lost, damaged, or stolen passport is Rs. 3,000, while for a 60-page passport, it is Rs. 3,500.

However, if you are applying for a 36-page or 60-page passport in lieu of a lost, damaged, or stolen passport under the Tatkal scheme, then you have to pay an additional fee of Rs. 2,000. It's important to note that these fees may be subject to change, so it's best to check the current fee schedule before applying for a replacement passport.