How to Apply for a Passport Online in India

To apply for an Indian passport online, register on the official Passport Seva portal, log in and fill the fresh or reissue application, pay the fee online and book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), then attend in person on your date with original documents so your photograph, biometrics and papers can be verified. The entire application starts on the government portal run by the Ministry of External Affairs; if you live abroad, you use the embassy passport portal and select your country. Never pay a look-alike agent site for what is a straightforward government service.

Which website is genuine

The only official site is Passport Seva. Many advertisements and copycat domains offer to apply on your behalf for a hefty fee, sometimes collecting your documents and money without authorisation. Type the official address yourself, and be wary of any site that is not the government portal. For applicants outside India, the embassy portal is the correct route.

Before you start

Keep ready a valid email address, because registration confirmation is sent there, and the documents the portal will ask for. The exact document list depends on your situation, so use the document advisor on the portal to generate your personalised list rather than relying on a fixed list. In general you will need proof of identity, proof of present address and proof of date of birth, all in original for the appointment.

Step-by-step application

1. Open the Passport Seva portal and register as a new user, creating a user ID. Your email is mandatory for the confirmation.
2. Log in with your user ID, password and the captcha.
3. Choose the service you need, such as a fresh passport or a reissue.
4. Fill the application form online and submit it. You can also fill it offline using the e-form and upload it, if you prefer.
5. Open the View Saved/Submitted Applications screen and click Pay and Schedule Appointment.
6. Pay online. Payment is accepted by credit or debit card, internet banking and, where offered, UPI. Payment is required to book a slot at centres using online payment.
7. Select your preferred PSK or POPSK. The portal shows the earliest available appointment date, and you can pick another date from the calendar.
8. Confirm the appointment and print the application receipt, which carries your Application Reference Number and appointment number. An SMS with the appointment details is also accepted at the centre.

Fees and processing

As of 2026, the fee depends on the passport booklet size (number of pages) and whether you choose normal or faster processing. Fees and timelines change, so always verify the current amount on the official portal before paying. The table gives a general picture, not exact figures.

Getting your documents ready

Because the appointment is where everything is verified in person, arriving with the right originals is what makes the visit quick. The portal’s document advisor builds a list tailored to your service and situation, and it is the authority you should trust rather than any general checklist, since requirements differ for minors, married applicants, government employees and others. In broad terms you should expect to carry a proof of present address, a proof of date of birth, and proof of identity, each in original, along with any document that supports a specific claim such as a name change. Carry self-attested photocopies as well, as some centres ask for them. Make sure the name and details on your documents are consistent with each other, because the most common cause of delay at the counter is a mismatch the officer cannot resolve on the spot. If a document is in a regional language, check whether a translation is needed for your case.

Your appointment

Attend the chosen centre in person on your date. Staff capture your photograph and biometrics and verify your original documents; the issuing authority grants the decision in your presence. Carry the originals of everything you listed, along with your receipt or the appointment SMS. Some guidance mentions a window of around 90 days to attend after submitting, so confirm the current rule on the portal and book promptly.

After the appointment

Following successful verification, your application moves to police verification where applicable and then printing and dispatch. You can track status on the portal or the official mPassport Seva mobile app using your Application Reference Number. For any clarification, the official national call centre number is listed on the portal.

Tatkaal and normal processing

Passport Seva offers two broad speeds. Normal processing is the standard route and suits most applicants who are not in a hurry. Tatkaal is a faster scheme for those who need a passport urgently and can meet its stricter documentation; it costs more and is subject to the issuing authority’s rules. The portal lets you choose the scheme during the application, and it shows the current fee for each. Because the faster scheme carries a higher fee and tighter conditions, choose it only if you genuinely need the speed, and always confirm the current charges and eligibility on the official portal rather than from an agent who may add a markup on top.

Fresh passport versus reissue

When you choose the service, be clear about which one you need, because it changes the documents and sometimes the fee. A fresh passport is for first-time applicants who have never held an Indian passport. A reissue is for people who already have one and need a new booklet, whether because it has expired, is about to expire, has run out of pages, or because details such as name or address have changed. Choosing the wrong service is a common reason applications are returned, so read the description on the portal before selecting.

Where you will be verified

Passport applications are verified in person at one of three kinds of centre: a Passport Seva Kendra, which is the main network run with the Ministry; a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, which brings the service to smaller towns through designated post offices; and a Regional Passport Office. The portal shows which centres serve your area and their earliest available slots. Pick the one most convenient for you, and remember that whichever you choose, you must attend yourself, as biometrics and photographs are captured on site.

Police verification

For most fresh passports, and some reissues, the police conduct a verification, which may happen before the passport is printed or after it is issued, depending on your case. An officer visits the address on your application or asks you to visit the local station with originals. Keeping your address proof accurate and consistent with your other documents helps this stage pass smoothly. You can follow the status of police verification on the portal and the mPassport Seva app. To help this stage along, make sure someone can confirm your residence if an officer visits, and keep an address proof handy in case you are asked to present yourself at the local station. A smooth verification is one of the biggest factors in how quickly the passport reaches you.

Tracking and support

After your appointment, your application moves through verification, printing and dispatch, and each stage shows on the portal and the official mPassport Seva mobile app when you enter your Application Reference Number. The passport is sent by post, and you can also track the delivery. If you are unsure about any step, the portal lists an official national call centre number and a grievance channel; use those rather than an agent, who has no special access to speed up a genuine government process.

Staying safe

Three habits keep you safe. First, apply only on the official Passport Seva portal (or the embassy portal from abroad), typing the address yourself. Second, pay only through the portal’s own payment page, never to a personal account or wallet an agent gives you. Third, treat unsolicited calls or messages offering to speed up your passport with suspicion, and never share your login or OTP. By following the official steps, you pay only the genuine government fee and keep control of your personal documents throughout the process.