Process to Apply For Minor Passport in India: An important document that every citizen of a nation should have is a passport. Any person traveling overseas for a business trip, vacation, medical treatment, religious activities, or family visit needs a passport. The only accepted form of identification when traveling internationally is this document. Moreover, it is a proof of citizenship.

Candidates under the age of 18 in India are regarded as minors when submitting a passport application. Minors may receive a passport if their parents or legal guardians apply for one and submit the required paperwork. Indian children under 18 must first file an application to the Passport Seva Kendra to get a passport.

Validity Of A Minor Passport In India

A juvenile passport expires five years after it is issued or when the teenager turns 18. In other words, if a minor’s passport is issued when they are 13, it will be good for 5 years or until they become 18.

Nevertheless, minors between 15 and 18 can apply for a passport with 10 years of validity instead of 18 years. This means that if a minor’s passport is issued when they are 16, it will be good for 10 years, i.e., until they become 26. A police check is necessary to obtain a 10-year passport.

Eligibility For Minor Passport In India

The child must be an Indian national. It is necessary to show proof of Indian citizenship, such as a birth certificate, diploma from a school, or certificate of nationality. A birth certificate, student ID card, or other government-issued identity document should be presented as identification by the minor.

A government-issued address document, such as a school transcript or ration card, is acceptable as proof of address. A minor’s passport can only be issued with the approval of both parents or the minor’s legal guardian. Both parents must sign the application form. When the other parent refuses, one parent is eligible to apply for the minor’s passport.

The applicant must be under 18 years. Those aged 15 to 18 may obtain a passport with ten years of validity by paying reasonable costs for passport issuance (ten years).

What Are The Necessary Documents Required To Apply For A Minor Passport?

The different documents required for different circumstances for the passport of a minor are:-

Proof of date of birth in the form of a document.
A copy of your current address.
Applicants must submit a declaration attesting that the information furnished in the application conforms to Annexure D.
It would also be necessary to submit a copy of the custody document in favor of the parent applying for the minor’s passport in India. ( Minors whose parents are divorced).
It is also necessary to attest the death certificate of the first marriage spouse. (Minors whose parents have died).
Evidence of legal guardianship through a court order. (When a minor’s legal guardian applies for their passport)
I.D. card for students that prove they are students in an educational institution.
Students living away from parents for studies or personal reasons (Bonafide letter).

Annexure D – When a child has a single parent and when a minor is in the care of a guardian.

Annexure C – Whenever a minor’s permission cannot be gained from both parents.

Annexure E – Standard Declaration

Rules For Passport-Sized Photographs For Minor Passport

According to the requirements or instructions given by Passport Seva, the applicant needs to paste one color photograph.
The image must show the minor’s face in a frontal perspective and be easily discernible.
The image must be a current passport-size photo with dimensions of 4.5 cm long by 3.5 cm wide.
The photo must be printed on high-quality photo paper, in color, and in the appropriate space on the application. Parents must ensure that the facial expression is natural (no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows).
Another requirement is that the child’s clothes must be black and that the backdrop of the shot must be simply white.
The photo should be printed with a clean, continuous-tone quality.
Another crucial element is that the applicant’s eyes must be open, both face edges must be discernible, the minor’s head must be in the center of the frame, and both ears must be seen.

Step By Step Application Process Of Indian Passport For Minor

Parental or legal guardian permission is required for the issuance of a minor’s passport. Applicants must be parents or legal guardians.

Step 1: Visit the Indian Passport Seva website at www.passportindia.gov.in.

Step 2: Register as a new member by clicking the “New User?” button.

Step 3: Enter the necessary information to create a password and username.

Step 4: To access the Passport Seva website, use your login information once you have set up your account.

Step 5: After logging in, click the “Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport” link.

Step 6: Complete the necessary fields on the application form, including the type of application, your contact information, and the information on your minor kid.

Payment Modes For Minor Passport Application In India

Once the application form has been submitted, select View saved/submitted applications. Paying for the application is now possible. To make an appointment, click Pay and Make an Appointment.

Payments are processed via the SBI payment portal on the Passport Seva Kendra website. It is mandatory to pay the regular cost of Tatkal online. Passport Seva Kendra accepts cash as payment for the remaining sum if the Tatkal application is approved.

The charges for different modes of payment are:-

(MasterCard or Visa) Credit Cards require 1.5% plus service fees.
(MasterCard or Visa) Debit Cards require 1.5% plus service fees.
For SBI and Associate Banks’ Online Banking, SBI Internet Banking is cost-free.
Bank SBI Challan is free. Within 85 days and 3 hours of creating the challan, the cash payable must be deposited at the closest SBI branch.
SBI Wallet Transaction requires 1.5% plus service tax.

Fees for the application of minor passports: New passports or renewals of existing passports for minors (under 18) have an application fee of Rs 1000. For tatkal the fee is Rs 2000.

How To Book An Appointment For a Minor Passport In India?

In addition to submitting your application and any other papers, you must also pay the fee in person or online at the nearest Passport Seva office. The following step is to schedule a visit to the Passports Seva Kendra (PSK) or pertinent passports office that seems most suitable for you.

The following methods can be used to schedule an appointment:-

Step 1: ‘Applicant Home’ > View Saved/Submitted Applications.

Step 2: View the filled-out application form.

Select the most recently sent form’s authorization number (ARN).

Step 3: From the options offered, select ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment.’

You can schedule an appointment by following these steps:-

Step 1: Choose your PSK from the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ tab.

Step 2: Choose a timeframe that suits your needs from the available dates.

Step 3: Enter the CAPTCHA code to confirm your appointment time.

Step 4: Click on ‘Pay and Make an Appointment.

Step 5: The application details, including the ARN, payment kind, amount, as well as your contact details and appointment date, will appear.

A confirmation and appointment number will be issued to you as soon as your payment has been processed correctly. Information will also be disseminated via SMS. Copy the application receipt to paper. Today, the SMS is accepted as a legitimate appointment confirmation by all PSKs.

Guidelines To Follow While Visiting Passport Seva Kendra

It is recommended to dress neatly and professionally. Although there may not be a rigorous dress code, it is advised to refrain from donning unprofessional clothing such as shorts, flip-flops, or sleeveless blouses. It is preferable to dress modestly and comfortably.
Minors attending the PSK should have their parents or other legal guardians with them. The parent or guardian who is traveling with the child should have current identification on them, such as a passport, Aadhaar card, or other document issued by the government.
When you have an appointment, be careful to be on time.
The child’s legal guardians or both parents may need to sign a letter of consent. They should explicitly indicate in this letter that they support the minor’s application for a passport.

Police Verification Process For Minor Passport India

In general, no police verification is necessary for minor children up to the age of 18 (passport validity limited to 5 years) whose one or both parents have a valid passport and whose names are listed in the passports of their spouses, as long as Annexure-D, which includes the consent of both parents, is available. Children between the ages of 15 and 18 may apply for passports with a 10-year validity on a pre-police verification basis. However, the Passport Officer has the last say regarding police verification mode.

After the application is submitted to the Passport Office, the relevant police station will review the application and any supporting documents.

To confirm the information on the application, a police officer or a designated verification officer may go to the parent or guardian’s home. The officer may inquire about the minor’s identity, family history, and reason for travel during the house visit.

The passport application will proceed to the next stage of processing after the police verification procedure is finished and the report is received by the Passport Office. The kid will be awarded a passport if the verification process turns up no negative comments or problems.

The police verification often takes two to three weeks.

Conclusion

The application process for a passport has been made easy with passport seva services like the Passport Seva Kendra website. While applying for a new passport for the minor, the different annexures should be kept in mind as they are important, along with the documents required to acquire a valid passport. It is important to carefully fill out the application form and double-check it for errors before submitting it.

A minor’s passport may be applied for by a parent or a legal guardian. Alternatively, the parent or legal guardian must agree before the minor passport can be issued. The basic document required for the minor is proof of birth, proof of current address, and a copy of both the parent’s passport or any one of the parents’. Online payments are available for fees and charges.

In accordance with the Indian government’s new guidelines, a minor child must possess his own regular passport, and his name cannot be endorsed on his father’s.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a passport agent required for the renewal of a passport?

No. For a visible and easy method, you can do the passport renewal online.

For an infant passport, is an appointment necessary?

According to the PSK website, if you are submitting an application for a Minor’s passport between 0 and 3 years old, you can just walk in without making an appointment.

Is a passport required from both parents in order to apply for a minor child’s passport?

To avoid the need for police verification, it is desirable if at least one parent has a current passport bearing the name of their spouse. Nevertheless, it is not required.

How much time does it take for the delivery of a passport?

Ans: After the police verification has been completed, it will take 30 days to receive your child’s Indian passport and 5-7 days if it is a Tatkal passport.

What are the delivery options for passports for minors?

Normal Delivery: The passport is printed and delivered to the address supplied throughout the application procedure using the Indian Postal Service’s Speed Post after the minor’s passport application has been processed and accepted.

Delivery by Tatkaal: If the applicant chooses the Tatkaal passport option, the passport will be sent via Speed Post by the Indian Postal Service for prompt delivery.

Pickup at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK): The passport may occasionally be delivered to the applicant’s preferred Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra for them to pick it up in person. Minors may also have access to this choice.