Documents Required for Passport in India 2025

A passport is more than just a travel document it carries significant importance. Firstly, it serves as a vital proof of identity, allowing you to travel internationally. A passport is an essential document that functions as a travel document, and as proof of your citizenship. It provides legal entry into a foreign country and plays a crucial role in offering wider opportunities to people.

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Secondly, in India, passports are highly credible documents that can be used for various purposes, such as opening a bank account, obtaining a mobile phone SIM card, checking into hotels, and applying for other official documents that require identity verification. Read on to know more about the documents required to apply for a Passport. 

Documents Required for New Passport

  1. Address Proof such as Aadhaar, Voter IDelectricity bill, water bill, bank account statement etc. 
  1. Identity Proof such as PAN card, driving license, Aadhaar, Voter ID etc. 
  1. Birth Certificate 
  1. Passport-size photographs. 

Documents Required for Passport Application for Minors

Anybody under the age of 18 years is considered a minor in India. Minors' Indian passports are valid for five years or until the minor reaches the age of 18 years. Gather the documentation that is needed to apply for a passport for a minor.
The documents required are as follows:  

  1. Identity Proof: The minor's birth certificate and a copy of the parent's passport attested by them 
  1. Address Proof: A parent's current proof of address, such as an electricity bill or the passbook of an active bank account 
  1. Age Proof such as Municipal corporation-issued birth certificate attesting to the applicant's birthdate, school transfer certificate, etc. 
  1. Passport-sized photographs. 

Documents Required for Re-issue of Passport for Minors

Minors need the following documents for passport re-issuance: 

1. Old Passport 

The application must be submitted with the applicant's original old passport. It is advised that parents bring both self-attested copies and their original passports. 

2. Self-attested Copies

Copies of the self-attested passport's first and last two pages must also be submitted by the applicant. The observation page (if any), the ECR/Non-ECR page, and the validity extension page must be included.  

3. Address Proof

  1. Voter ID 
  2. Aadhaar card 
  3. Utility bills 
  4. Rental agreement 
  5. Bank account statement 
  6. Letter from employer 

Additional Documents: Based on the reason for reissuing, a minor passport has a different list of documents that must be submitted. 

Documents Required for Re-issue of Passport

An applicant may require a new passport (re-issue) for a number of reasons.

1. Old Passport

The application must be submitted with your original old passport. If your old passport is expired, damaged, or valid for less than one year, you must surrender it. You must also provide a self-attested copy of the passport's first and last two pages. Include the ECR/Non-ECR page as well as the observation page (if applicable). If the validity of your passport is limited, don't forget to include the extension page. 

2. Date of Birth Proof 

Any one of the following documents can be submitted as date of birth proof: 

  1. Birth certificate 
  2. Aadhaar card 
  3. PAN card 
  4. School Leaving Certificate / Transfer Certificate 

3. Address Proof

Any one of the following documents can be submitted as address proof: 

  1. Voter ID 
  2. Aadhaar card 
  3. Utility bills 
  4. Rental agreement 
  1. Bank account statement 
  2. Letter from employer 

4. Photographs

Two recent passport-size photos are required. The photographs must be taken within the last six months and feature a white background. 

Documents Required for Tatkaal Passport

The government of India offers a type of passport service called a 'Takaal passport' for emergency or urgent travel requirements. This service is available to Indian nationals requiring a passport for reasons like medical or business travel, or to students who must go overseas for their education. Both new passport applications and passport reissues can be processed through the Tatkaal passport service.  
The following documents are required to apply for a Tatkaal passport: 

  1. Address Proof: Aadhaar card, Voter ID, electricity bill etc. 
  1. Identity Proof: PAN card, voter ID, driving license etc. 
  1. Birth Certificate 
  1. School Transfer Certificate (TC) 
  1. Two passport-sized photos 
  1. Police Verification Certificate (PCC). 

Documents Required for Official/Diplomatic Passport

Documents Required for Passport in India 2024

To apply for a Diplomatic/Official passport in India, you need the following documents:  

  1. An official letter from the sponsoring organization 
  1. An identity card that the sponsoring organization provides 
  1. A copy of the appointment letter or official order 
  1. Proof of birthdate 
  1. Proof of current address 

FAQs on Documents Required for Passport

  • What documents are required for a passport in India?

    The documents required to apply for a passport in India are address proof, identity proof, birth certificate, and passport-size photos. 

  • Are the documents required different for fresh and re-issued passports?

    For re-issuing a passport, apart from address proof, date of birth proof, and passport-size photos, the original old passport must be submitted with the application. 

  • What documents are accepted as proof of address for a passport in India?

    Voter ID, Aadhaar, rental agreement, letter from employer, bank account statements, and utility bills can be used as address proof for passports in India. 

  • Is the Aadhaar card a mandatory document while applying for a passport?

    No, Aadhaar cards are not mandatory for applying for a passport. 

  • Which documents can be used as proof of date of birth?

    The birth certificate, PAN, Aadhaar, and school leaving certificate/transfer certificate can be used as proof of date of birth. 

  • What documents are needed for minors to apply for a passport in India?

    Identity proof, age proof, address proof, and passport-size photographs are the documents needed for minors to apply for a passport in India. 

  • Can I use a rental agreement as address proof when applying for a passport in India?

    Yes, a rental agreement can be used as address proof when applying for a passport in India. 

  • What documents are required to apply for a Tatkal passport in India?

    The address proof, identity proof, birth certificate, school transfer certificate, police verification certificate, and passport-size photographs are the documents required to apply for a Tatkal passport. 

  • Do I need to submit the original documents at the Passport Seva Kendra?

    Yes, the applicants are required to submit the original documents along with the self-attested copies at the Passport Seva Kendra. 

  • Do the documents need to be notarised for applying for passports in India?

    In general, notarized documents are not required to apply for passports in India, as self-attested documents are considered sufficient. 

News on Documents Required for Passport in India

India Introduces E-Passports with New Security Features

The Government of India has launched e-passports that have better security features. These new passports have been introduced to make travelling safer by reducing the risk of fraud and speeding up immigration checks at airports. Each e-passport has a small chip inside it which stores the personal and biometric details, like their photo and fingerprints of the passport holder. These passports follow rules set by an international group called the International Civil Aviation Organization and will be accepted in most of the countries of the world. The e-passports are being manufactured at the India Security Press in Nashik. They are already being given out in some cities, and the plan is to offer them across the country by mid-2025. People can apply for an e-passport by visiting the Passport Seva website or by going to a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra. With this step, India joins more than 120 other countries that already use e-passports. This is a move towards making travel documents more modern and secure. 

19 May 2025
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