If you have lost your passport by mistake, your passport pages are over, or if your passport is close to the expiry date, then this indicates that you have to renew your passport.

Renewal of passports has become very easy because now all these processes can be carried out online. This process is handled by the Ministry of External Affairs. In this article, you will come across both offline and online steps through which you can Renew a Passport In India.

Eligibility Criteria To Apply For Passport Renewal

You can renew your passport in India by following some simple steps, but before that, it is necessary to check if you are eligible to apply for passport renewal.

An individual can initiate the passport renewal process even before the expiry of the passport but under certain circumstances.

The conditions are stated below, which are required to be followed if you want to renew your passport in India before the expiry of your passport.

Passport stolen
Passport pages exhausted
Passport lost
Damage caused to passport
Amendment in personal information

If these conditions are true, you can renew your passport in India.

Documents Required To Renew A Passport In India

For Adults

NOC That stands for no objection certificate
Your old passport
Intimation letter
You will also need a short validity passport shortened for the SVP Validity extension page, Non-ECR/ECR page, and lastly, the observation page of the passport issuing body.

For Minor Applicants

For minor applicants, you will need the following-

A passport-size photograph.
Proper and necessary documents should be attested.
Proof of current residency.

Steps To Renew Passport In India

To renew a passport in India is quite simple. The steps for this are given below:-

It can be done by following the online process and offline processes.

Online Process

Step 1- Visit the website passport seva portal online with the help of the link given below:- https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in/

Step 2- If you have already registered on the passport seva website, click on the existing user login option and log in to the portal by entering the correct password and login ID.

Step 3- If you are new to the passport seva website, then click on “New user registration” and follow the procedure as given below:

Step 4- Click on “Passport office.”

Step 5- Furthermore, according to your convenience, choose the passport office that is close to your residential address.

Step 6- After this, you must enter your basic details like date of birth, e-mail ID, name, and contact.

Step 7- Create a strong password and ID.

Step 8- Click on account activation mail to continue the further process.

Step 9- After following these steps, your profile will be created; now, you can log in to your account.

Step 10- Once you have successfully logged in following options will be visible to you-

View saved/ submitted applications
Apply for fresh passport / reissue of passport
Apply for a diplomatic/ official passport
Apply for the police clearance certificate
Apply for a surrender certificate
Apply for an identity certificate
Apply for background verification form
View submitted appeal
Apply for an LoC permit
Log appeal

Step 11- Click on the “Apply for fresh passport issue of passport option” After clicking on it, you will have two options:

You can fill out the application form instantly online and submit it.
You can download a soft copy of the application form and fill it out later at your convenience and then submit it by uploading it on the website of the passport seva portal.

Step 12- You have to pay for the above process by choosing a convenient mode.

Step 13- Once your payment is completed, you have to schedule an appointment and click on the “Print application receipt” option. Keep this application receipt with yourself safely, as it contains the appointment number or application reference number that you will need in your appointment.

Offline Process

After completing the online process, your offline process will begin.

The offline process will begin as soon as your appointment day starts.

Here is a step-by-step guide you need to follow for the offline process:-

Step 1- Carry all the essential and original documents with you for verification.

Step 2- Go to your chosen passport seva Kendra or RPO, which stands for regional passport office, earlier or 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time slot.

Step 3– After reaching the passport office, you will be guided on how to renew your passport, which you must follow.

Step 4- The next step that takes place is police verification.

Step 5- After that, you will need to visit the nearest police station with all your original documents.

Step 6- The verification process was the last step. Now your passport will reach your home within a few days or weeks.

Difference Between Renewal And Reissue Of Passport.

The renewal of the passport is initiated when the passport has reached the expiry date, but the passport is reissued when certain conditions are true; these are given below:-

Passport lost
Passport expired or about to expire
Passport stolen
Pages of the passport have been exhausted
Passport pages are damaged
Amendment in personal details

A new passport is given to the individual when they apply for a reissue of a passport. However, when we talk about the renewal of a passport, the old passport is provided to the individual as the renewed one.

Renewal Of Short Validity Passport Or SVP

Visit the passport seva Kendra and fill out the application form in order to renew the Short Validity Passport Or SVP.

Short-validity passports are issued under certain conditions, which are given below:-

NRI (Non-resident of India)
Passport not delivered.
Applicants with criminal cases registered against them.
Students appearing for exams like the test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL), scholastic assessment test (SAT), etc.

When Can You Apply For Passport Renewal?

For Adults

Adults can initiate the passport renewal process before one year of the passport expiry date.

For minors below 4 years of age

After the passport validity of five years or until the minor attains 18 years, whichever situation arises first.
Minors aged between 15 to 18 years can also take the necessary steps for the 10-year validity passport.

Know How To Track Your Passport Renewal Status

You can track your passport renewal status by following some simple steps. All you need to do is visit the passport seva portal and enter the details like file number, date of birth, etc. and click on the “Track status” option.

Processing Time Taken For Passport Renewal:-

Passport type	Processing time
Normal	1-2 months
Tatkal case	3-7 days

Fee And Charges Involved In Passport Renewal

Services	Validity	36-page booklet	36 page booklet
Fresh or new passport	For 10 years	2000 Rs.	1500 Rs
Renewal of Passport	For 10 years	2000 Rs.	1500 Rs.
Renewal/reissue/fresh passport for minors below the age of 15 years.	For 5 years	2000 Rs.	1500 Rs.

Conclusion

If you wish to renew your passport, then you have to follow some simple steps in order to do the same. A passport is one of the essential documents that is required to help you travel abroad. You can renew your passport under certain conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1) Can I track the status of my passport renewal online?

You can track your passport renewal status by following simple steps. All you need to do is visit the passport seva portal and enter the details like file number, date of birth, etc. And then click on the track status option.

Q2) Do I have to submit my original documents?

You must submit your original documents for the passport renewal process. These documents would be needed for the verification process too.

Q3) How will I receive my passport?

Once you have completed the online and offline process, then you do not need to worry, as the India Post will send you the passport to your current address through speed post.

Q4) What is the typical wait time for passport renewals?

The renewed passport is available to you within 10 to 30 business days after submitting all the documents and completing the process for it.

Q5) When can I renew my existing passport before it expires?

In order to renew your passport before it expires, you can apply for the process up to a year before the current passport expiry date.

Q6) How do I renew my passport after expiring?

In order to renew your passport, you must follow the online and offline process and attach the necessary documents required for it.

Q7) How many days before we can renew our Indian passports?

In order to renew your passport before its expiry date, you can apply for renewal within 9 to 12 months before the passport expiry date.

Q8) What will the validity of my passport be after I renew it?

Once you have renewed your passport, the validity of your passport will be determined by the assistant passport officer or RPO. The maximum validity of the passport after you renew it is 10 years.

Q9) Can I correct any mistake made on the application form?

No, In order to make changes, you have to visit the passport seva Kendra and request the service executive to make the changes in the application form.