All Indian citizens who depart or intend to depart from India to any country are required to be in possession of a valid passport or travel document in their name. Under the Passports Act 1967, the Government of India may issue different types of passports and travel documents such as Ordinary Passport, Diplomatic Passport, Official Passport, Emergency Certificate and Certificate of Identity for the purpose. If you are travelling abroad for the first time and are the first time passport applicant, there are a few things you should know which would ease out your job at the passport office.
You might have heard from the people around that getting a passport made is not an easy job and how undertaking bureaucratic red tape at the passport offices can give you gray hair. It involves a lot of procedures due to the security reasons and thus involves a lot of time. But if you keep in mind a few important things and follow the easy rules you can get through it effortlessly, with no trouble and difficulties. You can save your time and energy by knowing the following:
Apply Online: Welcome to the website of Passport Seva – http://www.passportindia.gov.in a website which provides you with all the information you need to know as a beginner and a first time passport applicants with the documents you require and the form you need to fill to get your passport.
Collect Your Documents: You need to keep all the required documents in order because filling up the form is not where it ends. You might require a lot of identification certificates, address proof certificates and others. The certificates required at the passport office might include your birth certificate, Aadhar card/driving license/ voter ID or any other identification and address proof. So before moving a step ahead, make sure you have all such documents in order already.
Make An Appointment: After you are done with the paperwork, get an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). To take an appointment it is necessary to complete the online payment which can be done through several ways like a debit card/credit card/bank challan/internet banking etc.
Visit Your PSK: On the given date of appointment, reach on time at the Passport Seva Kendra with all your documents and extra photo copies all the documents.
Police Verification Process: After you will be done with the entire process at the PSK, you will be subject to police verification at your given permanent address. The y will approach you soon at your residence to check a few details your have provided.
Delivery of the Passport: The Ministry of External Affairs has fixed a time limit of 30 days for delivering your passport at your address after your registration at the passport office. The passport will be delivered by a post man on your permanent address.
Cost of a Passport: The cost of a regular passport is 1500 rupees and for a tatkal passport its 3500 rupees. The tatkal passport is the one which is made in emergencies and gets delivered to you within 1 to 7 working days. You may visit the passport seva website for further information on tatkal passports.
