When should you apply for renewal?
You should plan to renew your passport when it approaches its expiry date or when you have exhausted the visa pages in your booklet. Under current guidelines, you can apply for re-issue up to one year before the expiry date of a passport that has a 10-year validity (5 years for minors) and even on the date of expiry itself. Attempting renewal more than 12 months in advance is not permitted unless you are making a change in the personal particulars, such as a name or appearance update.
Competitor guides such as BankBazaar recommend initiating the process about nine months before expiry to avoid last-minute rushes, while ClearTax and Future Generali outline nearly identical timelines, underscoring the importance of early action to prevent travel disruptions.
Documents Required for Passport Renewal
Before visiting a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO), ensure you have the following (originals + one set of self-attested photocopies):
- Existing Passport - first two and last two pages, including observation and endorsement pages
- Proof of Address - one of: Aadhaar card, voter ID, electricity bill, telephone bill, bank statement, etc.
- Proof of Date of Birth - birth certificate or school leaving certificate
- Any Supporting Documents for changes - marriage certificate for name change, Gazetted Officer’s certificate for Tatkal, if applicable.
Note that additional documents may be required based on your jurisdiction; always check the “Document Advisor” on the Passport Seva portal for your specific cases.
How to Renew Passport Online - Step-by-Step Guide
1. Register on the Passport Seva Portal
On the Passport Seva website, register for passport renewal, if you already have an account, use Existing User Login; otherwise, click New User Register to create one.
2. Fill the Renewal Application Form
- Log in and select Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.
- Choose Re-issue and indicate the reason (expiry, damage, page exhaustion).
- Select the service type: Normal or Tatkal, and the booklet size (36 or 60 pages).
3. Pay the Passport Renewal Fee
- Proceed to the payment gateway and pay online via net banking, credit/debit card, UPI, or generate an SBI challan.
- Once paid, you will receive a Payment Receipt/Acknowledgment.
4. Schedule an Appointment
- After payment, click Pay and Schedule Appointment, choose your preferred PSK/RPO, date, and slot.
- Print the appointment confirmation receipt.
5. Visit the PSK/RPO
- Carry all original documents, photocopies, and the appointment receipt.
- Complete the document verification, biometrics, and photograph capture.
6. Police Verification (if applicable)
In some cases, police verification is done after passport issuance under Tatkal; otherwise it precedes dispatch.
Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth passport renewal online experience.
Read Blog: Police Verification for Passport
Offline Passport Renewal Process
While online is preferred, you can renew offline if:
- You face technical issues with the portal, or
- You reside near an RPO but lack internet access.
Offline Steps:
- Obtain the Application Form from the nearest Passport Seva Kendra or RPO.
- Fill the form legibly in black ink.
- Attach all required documents (same list as online).
- Submit the form at the counter and pay via demand draft in favor of the respective RPO or cash at the PSK.
- Receive an Acknowledgment Slip with a File/ARN number.
- Track your application using this number on the Passport Seva portal.
Offline renewal can take slightly longer, so factor in additional days beyond the standard timel ines below.
Passport Renewal Fees in India (2025)
Below is the fee structure for re-issue/renewal of an ordinary passport (in ₹):
| Applicant Category | Booklet Pages | Standard Fee | Tatkal Fee* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (≥ 18 years) | 36 | 1,500 | 3,500 |
| Adults (≥ 18 years) | 60 | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| Minors (< 15 years) | 36 | 1,000 | 3,000 |
| Minors (15 - 18 years) | 36 | 1,500 | 3,500 |
| Additional PSK Fee | — | 500 | 500 |
*Tatkal fee is in addition to the standard fee.
Track Passport Renewal Status
Keeping tabs on your passport application helps you anticipate any next steps—here’s how to track it online and understand each status update.
How to Check Status Online
- Visit the Passport Seva Portal: Go to passportindia.gov.in and click Track Application Status under the Passport Services section.
- Select Application Type: Choose Passport/Re-issue (or PCC, if applicable).
- Enter Your Details: Input your File/ARN Number (15-digit acknowledgement number) and Date of Birth exactly as on your application.
- View Live Status: Click Track to see the current stage of your renewal process.
What Each Status Means
- Application Received / Submitted: Your form and payment have been logged in the system and your application awaits initial verification.
- Under Review: The Regional Passport Office (RPO) is examining your documents, police verification report, or any special annexures submitted. This internal assessment can last from a few days up to 30 days depending on case complexity.
- Police Verification Initiated: Local police are verifying your residential and identity proofs. You may receive a call or visit request, cooperate promptly to avoid delays.
- Print Initiated: Your passport booklet is in the printing queue at the Government of India’s secure printing facility.
- Printed: Printing is complete and your passport is ready for dispatch. At this stage, you may receive a courier tracking link.
- Dispatched: The passport has been handed over to the courier service (e.g., India Post or a private courier). Delivery timelines now depend on your location.
- Delivered: The courier has successfully delivered the renewed passport booklet to your address.
Passport Renewal Time Frame
Renewing a passport can feel like a waiting game, so understanding typical turnaround times, and what affects them, helps you plan travel without a hitch.
Normal Service: Under the standard re-issue process, most applications clear verification, printing, and dispatch in 30-45 days from the date of submission. This window aligns with the official Passport Seva target of 30 working days, assuming your police verification report is received promptly and your documents are in order. Competitors like ClearTax and HDFC ERGO confirm this 30-45 day range, noting that while 30 days is achievable for clean cases, it can stretch to six weeks during peak seasons or when additional checks are triggered.
Tatkal Service: If you need your passport urgently, the Tatkal scheme expedites processing to 1-3 working days after your documents are accepted at the PSK, again contingent on clear police verification. That means, in the best-case scenario, you can go from application submission to passport in hand in under a week, ideal for medical emergencies, sudden business trips, or educational deadlines.
Common Delays and Reasons
Even with these guidelines, real-world timelines can stretch. Here are the top culprits behind unexpected hold-ups:
- Police Verification Backlog: Most delays occur when local police take time to clear your verification, especially in areas still transitioning to the mPassport Police App. In some regions, this step can add 2-4 weeks to your timeline if the report isn’t marked “clear” quickly.
- Incomplete or Incorrect Documents: Minor mismatches, like a typo in your name across forms and ID proofs, or an unclear Aadhaar scan, can place your file on hold “until rectified,” sometimes for days or weeks depending on your responsiveness.
- Peak Travel Seasons: Applications spike before summer vacations, year-end holidays, and around exam results. RPOs and PSKs get swamped, which can stretch normal timelines beyond the promised 30 days.
- Technical Glitches: Portal downtime, payment gateway timeouts, or mismatches in the online Document Advisor can pause your process until the portal or bank resolves the issue.
- Additional Scrutiny: Major changes, like name or appearance updates, often trigger extra verification layers or require annexures, tacking on more processing time.
By preparing complete, accurate documents and applying early (at least three months before your expiry), you can minimize most of these delays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Passport Renewal
A few simple oversights can derail an otherwise smooth renewal. Here’s how to sidestep the most frequent pitfalls:
1. Mismatched Documents
When your application shows “Neha Sharma” but your Aadhaar reads “Neha S. Sharma,” or your birth certificate lists a different date format, the system flags it, and you’ll be asked for clarifications. These mismatches account for a significant share of holds and rejections. In fact, address or name inconsistencies are among the top reasons for delays cited by renewal experts.
Tip: Use the online Document Advisor on the Passport Seva Portal to preview required proofs for your exact case.
2. Wrong Form Selection
It sounds basic, but many first-time renewers accidentally choose “Fresh Passport” instead of “Re-issue of Passport”, or pick the wrong service category (e.g., PCC instead of renewal). The official FAQ clearly states:
“You have to apply for ‘Re-issue of Passport’. Fresh police verification is initiated if the passport has expired more than three years.”
A wrong form locks your application in a different workflow, adding days to weeks before it’s rerouted to the correct queue.
3. Payment Issues
Failure to complete the fee transaction, or assuming a failed payment went through, can leave your appointment unconfirmed. Online payments via SBI’s gateway must clear before you can schedule a slot:
“If online payment has been made but appointment has not been booked, use the ‘Track Payment Status’ link. Fees once paid cannot be transferred between ARNs.”
Tip: Always download and save your payment receipt. If payment status remains pending after 48 hours, contact SBI support immediately with your ARN, transaction ID, and date.
Tatkal Passport Renewal – Fast Track Option
Tatkal is your go-to when time is non-negotiable. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Eligibility for Tatkal
This scheme exists solely for genuine urgent travel, think unexpected medical emergencies, critical business meetings, or academic admissions requiring immediate passports. According to official guidelines, applicants must demonstrate their urgency with supporting documentation, and be ready for a post-issuance police verification.
Note that Tatkal is not available for major personal-detail changes (like address or name updates), so if you’re also altering your particulars, you must use the normal service.
2. Required Documents
Beyond the standard renewal set (old passport, proof of address, DOB, photos), Tatkal applicants must furnish:
- Proof of Urgency: Hospital letter, employer’s business invitation, or university admission offer.
- Annexure F / Gazetted Officer’s Certificate: In certain cases, a sworn declaration by a Gazetted Officer on official letterhead.
These extras confirm your need for speed and unlock the Tatkal queue on your appointment day.
3. Faster Appointment & Delivery Process
- Online Fee Payment: Pay the normal fee via net banking or card. The additional Tatkal fee is settled in cash at the PSK when you submit your documents.
- Schedule Tatkal Slot: Immediately after payment, use the Tatkal category to book your PSK appointment. Slots are limited and fill up fast, aim to book the same day.
- PSK Visit & Verification: On your appointment date, submit all documents along with proof of urgency and complete biometrics.
- Expedited Printing & Dispatch: Once accepted, your application moves to the front of the queue. In most cases, you’ll receive your renewed passport within 1-3 working days, faster than anything else available.
Frequently Asked Questions on Passport Renewal
Q: How long before expiry can I renew my passport?
A: You can apply up to one year before the expiry date of your current passport
Q: Can I renew my passport without address proof?
A: No. You must submit one of the accepted proofs of address, such as Aadhaar, voter ID, utility bill, or bank statement.
Q: What if my passport has already expired?
A: You can still renew it, apply via Re-issue for an expired passport and follow the standard process.
Q: Is police verification required for passport renewal?
A: Yes for normal service (pre-issuance). For Tatkal, police verification may occur after passport dispatch.
Q: How can I renew my passport urgently?
A: Use the Tatkal service by selecting it during application and paying the extra fee.
Q: What is the fastest way to renew a passport in India?
A: The Tatkal scheme, which takes 3-5 working days post-submission.
Q: Do I need to be physically present for police verification?
A: Yes. You (or your family members) must cooperate during the verification process if it is required.
Q: What is the passport renewal fee in India?
A: Standard: ₹1,500 (36 pages) / ₹2,000 (60 pages) for adults; Minors: ₹1,000 (36 pages). Tatkal adds ₹2,000 to these rates.
Q: How do I renew my passport online in India?
A: Log in at Passport Seva Portal, select Re-issue, fill the form, pay fees, schedule an appointment, and visit the PSK.
Q: What documents are required for passport renewal?
A: Old passport, proof of address, proof of DOB, photos, and any supporting documents for changes.
Q: How much does it cost to renew a passport in India?
A: ₹1,500 (36 pages) / ₹2,000 (60 pages) for adults; Minors: ₹1,000 (36 pages). Tatkal service adds ₹2,000.
Q: Can I renew my passport after it expires?
A: Yes, follow the Re-issue process even if the passport has expired.
Q: How long does the passport renewal process take?
A: 30 working days under normal; 3- 5 working days under Tatkal.
