Indian passports are issued for a period of 10 years and it can be renewed any time from one year before, to six months after the actual date of expiry.
A new passport will be issued only in case of old passport getting expired after 10 years. This final expiry date is mentioned on the passport by the letter ‘F’. Another mentioned word on the passport is ‘Final’ after the date of expiry on the passport.
Few documents need to be submitted for renewal of passport. Original old passport with self-attested photocopy of its first and last four pages, including ECR/ECNR page will be submitted. In case of old passport being issued when applicant was a minor or did not have the ECNR stamp, he or she needs to provide attested copy of matriculation or degree certificate.
Proof of address of applicant will be also be needed to be submitted in case of he or she has changed the address mentioned on the old address. Other required documents are; telephone bill or gas bill, electricity or ration card, spouse or parent’s passport copy in addition of three recent passport size photographs in color displaying full frontal view of the face.
One needs to submit the application form for renewal of passport. The application form is same as the one required for a new passport. Application from can be obtained from any passport service office or center or even post office or else it can be downloaded from official passport website.
Thereafter, applicant needs to deposit the required fee which is; for adult (36 page) – Rs. 1000, passport for Adult (60 pages) – Rs. 1500 and passport for a minor – Rs. 600. Also, additional fee might need to be deposited for police clearance certificate or ECNR.
Once application form is completed it needs to be submitted at passport offices or speed post centers or district passport cells or collector’s office/DSP’s office with supporting documents. Applicants can check the status of their applications online by providing file reference number at official government passport site.