Passport Information
A passport is a very important document.
It should be kept upto date by renewing it before it expires. Its loss
should be reported immediately to the local police authorities and also to
the nearest Indian Embassy / Consulate General.
Indian passports can be renewed any time from one year before, to six
months after the actual date of expiry. If the passport is already ten years
old and has finally expired, a new passport will be issued. Final expiry is
indicated on the passport by the letter "F" or the word "Final"
mentioned after the date of expiry on the passport. Three passport size
photographs are to be submitted along with the application duly filled in
for issuance of a new passport booklet. In case there is any change in
appearance, one of these photographs should be duly attested by a Notary
Public. However, if the passport has not expired finally, the same booklet
is renewed.
The forms for renewal of Indian passports and for issuance of new passport
booklets are different and appropriate forms are required to be filled in.
All applicants for passport services are also required to submit photocopies
of their Resident Alien Cards or proof of their lawful residence in USA.
Passports of visitors can be extended only for a short period to facilitate
their return to India.
» Duplicate Passports : The issuance of duplicate
passports in lieu of lost or damaged passports is handled under a special
procedure. A duplicate passport can only be issued to an applicant on
confirmation of the particulars of the lost passport from the original
Passport Issuing Authority and receipt of the clearance of the Ministry of
External Affairs. All applicants for duplicate passports must fill out
(i) one copy of the new passport application form and
(ii) six copies of 'Personal Particulars Proforma'.
These forms must be filled in correctly, completely and legibly. Generally
it takes at least eight to ten weeks to obtain confirmation of passport
particulars and the clearance from the Government of India. However, if one
pays fax charges, telegraphic references are made. Paying fax charges cannot
guarantee issuance of a duplicate passport within any fixed time-frame.
» Emergency Certificate : Emergency certificates
are one-way travel documents to return to India and are generally issued to
visiting Indians who lose their passports or to people who need to be
deported. However, such certificates can be issued if the Indian citizenship
of the person is confirmed.
» Miscellaneous Passport & Consular Services : Applicants
for miscellaneous Passport and Consular services are required to fill out a
'Miscellaneous Service' form and submit their passports along with
photocopies of their Resident Alien Cards or proof of lawful residence in
the foreign country.
» Endorsement of Child's Name : On either parent's
passport but it is necessary to send passports of both parents and a
photocopy of the child's birth certificate. A child may be endorsed in one
of the parent's passport only if the father was an Indian national at the
time of the child's birth and if the child does not hold a passport of
another country. (Documentary evidence to this effect would be required
i.e., either a resident alien card or an 'A' number endorsement for the
child on either parent's passport.
