Passport Application Process

Hi,

Getting a new passport or renewal of your Indian passport used to be lengthy and uncertain process till now. Thanks to the improvised Passport Seva Kendra (PSKs are they are called) the experience is much easier. 

Wanted to share my experience in my recent visit to the PSK. Hope this is helpful to our friends who wish to apply for a new or renew their passports.

Having learnt that UK visa requires a back to back clean and empty page on your passport, I had to start looking to reissue of my Indian passport for exhaustion of pages.

Step by Step process.

Application Appointment:

1. visit https://portal1.passportindia.gov.in and create a login.
2. Enter your details and save/submit your application details.
• check if you want to apply for Tatkaal (Urgent) or Normal process.
• There is also an option of Jumbo passport (60 pages) than the regular one - 36 pages. The fee is 500 INR extra for the Jumbo passport.

Having submitted the form; the fun now begins to get an appointment online. This is the most challenging part which can test your web skills.

• The appointment window opens at 12:00:00 hrs IST and the appointments for the day are full by 12:00:50 hrs!!!
• At each step there is human check - image character entry to be keyed in. By the time you select the date enter details the quota is full. I did try for 3 weeks without any luck.
• You can go to the Regional Passport Office (RPO) and request for a walk-in appointment. There is a huge queue so be prepared to wait for 2-3 hrs. Also the date of walk-in can be well 2 months from now! So much of rush to get a passport.

Preparation before appointment

1. Ensure you have all the list of documents - bank statements with bank stamp on it and the latest updated details etc
2. Carry a photocopy of all the documents with original. Keep them organized for easy retrieval TIP: there is a photocopier inside so don't worry to go out to get the photocopy.
3. Check if you need a Verification Certificate and a general affidavit. Have it ready till the date of the appointment.

On the Date of the appointment

1. Entry allowed only on the date and at the reporting time.
2. Enter the first gate and look for the top signs of the queues to wait for the token #. Tatkaal applicants do not get the token# immediately.
3.  Fresh and Normal reissue applicants get a token # which needs to be scanned to enter the application processing area.
4. Tatkaal applicants have a few extra steps here. 

• At the tatkaal counter the documents are verified and put in a brown envelope
• take the envelope and enter the application processing area and ask for the staff to take it to the Passport Officer for verification
• The passport officer scrutinizes the application, checks if the old passport details are available in the system. If the details are available you are lucky and they stamp a 'T' on the envelope to provide a token.
• If the record is not available - you need to provide the Verification Certificate (VC) two in original on the letter head (no copies of the letter head) along with a general affidavit on 100 Rs stamp paper.
• The passport officer will call the person to verify the details so ensure the person issuing the VC is aware of the call.  
• If the passport officer is satisfied a token is issued or additional details asked for.
• The applicant needs to take the brown envelop and get a stamp of T+3 on the it. This will ensure the appointment is valid for 3 more days to furnish the documents required.
• As such there is no standard format of documents required (as there are combinations of ID proofs, address proofs etc) so carry all details and photocopies of it.
• If the token is issued wait for the staff to provide you with token slip and the envelope with your details.

Once you have the token: the process is real smooth and well managed

• Keep a watch on the TV screen the check for the token # and the window to go to.
• There is a 3 step process here  A, B and C.
• At counter A : Documents scanned and uploaded; fees to be paid, photo and bio-metric done. If there is any change in the spelling or details of application this is the point the correct them even if the details were not full in the application.
• Collect the receipt from counter a and check if the Jumbo passport is issued for
• At counter B : All the originals verified; ECNR, marriage certificate, address proof checked.
• At counter C : Old passport if the available will get a cancellation stamp and the brown envelope with documents collected
• Take the token and receipt and go to exit counter to get a application confirmation receipt. This has the status of application
• If it mentions Police verification as POST - you get the passport ahead of the police verification
• If it mentions PRE - passport will be issued after the police verification
• That's it! Now we just have to wait for the post to deliver your passport

Comments:

• Getting an appointment is a real pain. TCS and MEA should do something to improve this process.
• The facility is state of the art compared to other government offices, air conditioned, food and rest room facilities upto the mark. Plenty of seating area, counters inside the processing area. 
• On a average once you have the token the process completes in less than 1.5 hours.
• Staff is well prepared, courteous and does not mislead
• TCS has done a wonderful job in stream lining the process.

Hope you find this useful for your encounter at the passport office!

Happy Traveling

-Subodh