Quick answer: Apply at passportindia.gov.in, pay ₹1,500 for a normal 36-page passport or ₹3,500 for Tatkal, and book a Passport Seva Kendra appointment. Passport Seva’s Citizen’s Charter lists up to 30 working days for a fresh passport, excluding the police-verification period. A Tatkaal passport is expected to be dispatched on the third working day after the application is marked Granted, excluding the submission date, without waiting for the police verification report. Dispatch is not the same as delivery. You cannot apply for Tatkal directly if your case needs prior approval, and Tatkal requires the applicable set of documents on Passport Seva’s current checklist.
Fees
| Type | Pages | Validity | Normal | Tatkal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh passport, adult | 36 | 10 years | ₹1,500 | ₹3,500 |
| Fresh passport, adult | 60 | 10 years | ₹2,000 | ₹4,000 |
| Minor under 15 | 36 | 5 years | ₹1,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Reissue after expiry | 36 | 10 years | ₹1,500 | ₹3,500 |
| Replacement, lost or damaged | 36 | 10 years | ₹3,000 | ₹5,000 |
Tatkal fee is the normal fee plus a ₹2,000 Tatkal charge. Payment is online during the application.
Documents you need
Proof of address (any one)
- Aadhaar card
- Electricity, water, landline or gas bill
- Bank passbook with photograph
- Rent agreement, registered
- Voter ID
- Income tax assessment order
Proof of date of birth (any one)
- Birth certificate from a municipal authority
- School leaving or transfer certificate
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Driving licence
- Voter ID
Additional for Tatkal
Use the current Tatkaal undertaking and document checklist: adult applicants need three listed documents and minors need two from the specified subset, plus applicable address and non-ECR proofs.
How to apply, step by step
- Register on passportindia.gov.in and note your login ID.
- Log in and choose Apply for Fresh Passport / Reissue of Passport.
- Fill the form online, or download the e-form, fill it offline and upload the XML. The online form is simpler for most people.
- Choose scheme: Normal or Tatkal. Choose booklet size: 36 or 60 pages.
- Click Pay and Schedule Appointment. Payment is mandatory before booking.
- Pick your Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) and an available slot.
- Print the Application Receipt with the Appointment Reference Number (ARN).
At the appointment
Carry the original documents plus one set of self-attested photocopies, and the printed receipt. The visit has three counters: A for document scanning and photo, B for verification by an officer, and C for final approval. Expect 60 to 120 minutes at a busy centre. Arrive 15 minutes before your slot; late arrivals are often turned away.
Follow the appointment instructions for photographs, especially for young children. Minors must attend with the required parent or guardian documentation.
Police verification, which decides your timeline
| Scheme | When verification happens | Official service timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Before passport is printed | Up to 30 working days, excluding police verification |
| Tatkal | After the passport is issued | Dispatch expected on the third working day after grant, excluding the submission date |
| Reissue with no change in details | Sometimes waived or post-issue | Up to 7 working days without pre-police verification; up to 30 working days with it, excluding verification |
For normal applications, the local police station contacts you to arrange verification. Keep the original documents ready at home and stay reachable on the mobile number you gave; a missed visit is the single most common cause of delay. You can track progress under Status Tracking with your file number.
Reasons applications get delayed or rejected
- Address on documents does not match the address on the form.
- Name spelling differs across Aadhaar, PAN and school certificate. Fix the mismatch before applying.
- Police verification not completed because the applicant was unreachable or had moved.
- Pending criminal case not disclosed on the form, which is treated seriously.
- Minor applications without both parents’ consent where required.
- Tatkal applied for in a category not eligible for it, such as some replacement cases.
Practical tips
- Appointment slots open at a fixed time daily and go quickly in large cities. Try just after the release time, and check POPSKs, which usually have more availability than main PSKs.
- Use a POPSK if your city has one; they are typically faster and less crowded.
- Apply well before you need it. Many countries require six months of passport validity beyond your travel date, so renew early.
- Keep your Aadhaar address current before applying, since mismatches cause most delays. See our guide on updating your Aadhaar address online.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tatkal guaranteed to be faster?
Usually, but not guaranteed. If the officer decides prior police verification is necessary in your case, Tatkal reverts to a normal timeline and the extra fee is not refunded.
Can I apply from a city where I do not have address proof?
Choose a location permitted by the current booking system and declare your genuine present address with acceptable proof. Do not supply a convenient but false address.
How long is a passport valid?
Ten years for adults. For minors under 15, five years or until they turn 18, whichever is earlier.
What if my passport is lost abroad?
Contact the nearest Indian mission for an emergency certificate or a replacement passport. Do not wait until you return.
Last updated September 2026. Fees, document lists and processing times are set by the Ministry of External Affairs and change periodically; verify on passportindia.gov.in before applying.
Correction (22 September 2026): earlier versions gave “typical” processing times of 30–45 days, 3–7 working days and 7–15 days that were not supported by an official source. They have been replaced with Passport Seva’s published service timelines.
Sources
Timelines follow Passport Seva’s Citizen’s Charter and Tatkaal Passports FAQ. These are service standards, not guaranteed delivery dates.
Checked against: Passport Seva — Tatkaal scheme undertaking. Rules, fees and rates change — check the official page before you act on anything here.
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