Passport Renewal: Online Steps, Fees, Timelines

If your passport is expiring soon (or already expired), the process is straightforward—provided you follow the official flow. This guide shows you exactly what to do on the Passport Seva portal/app, how much to pay (Normal vs Tatkaal), what to carry to the PSK/POPSK, and how long it can take with or without police verification. We’ll also share ready scripts and an escalation ladder if something stalls.

🧭 Summary

• Outcome: Apply online (web/app), pay, book PSK/POPSK, visit with originals, complete biometrics, then track delivery. Police verification may be pre- or post-issue. Passport Seva+1

• Timelines: Tatkaal dispatch is typically 1–3 working days after PSK visit (subject to acceptance and PV rules). Normal cases are longer and depend on police verification and local load. Check appointment availability in your city; slots can vary. Passport Seva+1

• Costs (Adults): Normal 36 pages ₹1,500; 60 pages (Jumbo) ₹2,000. Tatkaal fee ₹2,000 extra (paid at PSK after acceptance). Lost/damaged booklets cost more (₹3,000/₹3,500 + Tatkaal if allowed). Use the official fee calculator to confirm. Passport Seva+2Passport Seva+2

• Docs: Existing passport + self-attested copies, address proof, and any change-supporting documents (name/address/DoB, etc.). Use the Document Advisor to get an exact list. Passport Seva

• Top pitfall: Wrong photo (background/size) → rejections or re-visit. Standard size 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm, plain white background, frontal face. Passport Seva

🧰 Before you start

Who this is for: Indian citizens renewing an ordinary passport (technically “re-issue”). You can apply up to 1 year before expiry; later than that is allowed too, but PV rules can differ. Passport Seva

Where to do it:

• Passport Seva Portal (desktop/mobile web) or the Mobile Passport Seva app for registration, application, payment, and appointment booking. Passport Seva+1

Fees (confirm on portal before paying):

* Tatkaal is in addition to the normal fee. Online you pay the normal fee; the Tatkaal difference is paid at PSK, if your case is accepted under Tatkaal.
** Tatkaal eligibility depends on case type; check FAQs. Passport Seva+2Passport Seva+2

Timelines:

• Tatkaal: commonly 1–3 working days after PSK visit (dispatch), subject to acceptance and PV conditions. Passport Seva

• Normal: depends on police verification and local load; appointments may face city-specific wait times during peak demand. The Times of India

Documents & photos:

• Existing passport (original) + self-attested copies.

• Address proof matching your current address (Aadhaar, utility bill, bank statement, etc.).

• Change documents (marriage/divorce/name/DoB/appearance/signature), if applicable. Use the Document Advisor for a tailored list. Passport Seva

• Photo rules (hard copy only where asked): 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm, plain white background, dark clothes preferred, full-face frontal, clear print. Passport Seva

Heads-up: Keep an eye on the official appointment process PDF for how rescheduling/cancellation attempts work. Passport Seva

🔟 Steps (do this now)

1) Register / Log in on Passport Seva (or open the Mobile Passport Seva app). Create/verify your account and note your ARN (Application Reference Number). Passport Seva+1
Tip: Use your current, accessible email and mobile number.

2) Choose “Re-Issue of Passport” and pick the reason (expiry, pages exhausted, lost/damaged, changes in particulars). Passport Seva
Note: “Renewal” is called Re-Issue on the portal.

3) Fill the online form carefully—name, DoB, address, employment details, previous passport data. Save and review before submitting. Passport Seva

4) Upload what’s asked (if enabled) and prepare originals according to the Document Advisor output for your case. Passport Seva

5) Pay online (Normal fee first). If you’re applying under Tatkaal, you’ll pay the additional Tatkaal fee in cash at PSK once the officer accepts your case under Tatkaal. Passport Seva+1

6) Book an appointment at a PSK (Passport Seva Kendra) or POPSK (Post Office PSK). Check nearby centres for earlier slots. Use the PDF guide if you need to reschedule/cancel. Passport Seva
Quick note: Slot wait times can rise during peak seasons in some cities. The Times of India

7) Visit PSK/POPSK on time with originals + self-attested photocopies; carry the printed ARN and fee receipt. Biometric capture, photograph (if taken on-site), and document check happen here. Passport Seva

8) Police Verification (PV):

• Pre-PV: common in Normal; passport usually prints after a clear PV.

• Post-PV: some Tatkaal cases; issuance happens first, PV follows. Track your application for PV status. Passport Seva

9) Track status & delivery on the Passport Seva portal/app after your PSK visit. Keep your ARN handy. Passport Seva

10) Receive the passport via Speed Post at your address. If there’s any objection or clarification sought, respond promptly through the portal and keep evidence (acknowledgements, emails, receipts). Passport Seva

📋 Checklist (copy-paste)

• Account created on Passport Seva / Mobile app (login working)

• Chosen Re-Issue reason (expiry/pages exhausted/lost/damaged/changes)

• Filled form; ARN saved; details double-checked

• Document Advisor run; originals + one set of self-attested copies ready

• Photo meets 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm, white background, frontal face rules

• Online fee paid; appointment booked (PSK/POPSK)

• If Tatkaal, cash kept for on-site additional fee (if accepted)

• On appointment day: printed ARN, receipts, originals, copies

• After visit: track status; be available for Police Verification

• Delivery received; verify particulars; store safely

Passport Seva+2Passport Seva+2

⚠️ Red flags & common mistakes

🗣️ Templates & scripts

Email to local Police Station (PV follow-up)
Subject: Passport PV — Request for status update (ARN: {{ARN}})
Body:
“Dear Sir/Madam,
I completed my passport re-issue process at {{PSK/POPSK}} on {{date}}. My ARN is {{ARN}} and file number is {{FileNo}}. I’m available at {{mobile}} and reside at {{address}}. Kindly let me know if any visit or documents are pending for police verification.
Thank you,
{{Name}}”

Call script for PSK helpdesk
“Hello, I applied for Re-Issue under {{Normal/Tatkaal}} with ARN {{ARN}}. My appointment was on {{date}} at {{centre}}. Could you please confirm the current status and whether any action is pending from my side?”

Re-schedule request (if you can’t attend)
“Hello, I have an appointment at {{centre}} on {{date/time}}, ARN {{ARN}}. I need to reschedule within the allowed attempts. Please confirm my options and next available dates.”

(Use the portal/app wherever possible; rely on emails/helplines for exceptional cases.) Passport Seva+1

🧗 Escalation path (with links)

1. Passport Seva: Use in-portal Track Status and feedback/grievance sections; check the help/FAQs for your case type. Passport Seva

2. Regional Passport Office (RPO): Raise a grievance via the portal mapped to your RPO; attach ARN, file number, and proofs. Passport Seva

3. Police Verification: If PV is pending, contact your jurisdictional police station (the portal offers a “Know your Police Station” utility). Keep visit notes and acknowledgements. Passport Seva

4. Further escalation: If the issue remains unresolved, log a grievance again on Passport Seva with all timestamps/screenshots; you may also use CPGRAMS for general public grievances (non-passport-specific). (Prefer Passport Seva’s built-in grievance first.) Passport Seva

❓FAQs

Is it really “renewal” or “re-issue”?
On Passport Seva it’s Re-Issue (for expiry, pages exhausted, lost/damaged, or changes). Passport Seva

How early can I apply?
Typically within 1 year before expiry. Check the portal FAQs for specifics and edge cases. Passport Seva

What’s the difference between Normal and Tatkaal?
Tatkaal attracts an additional ₹2,000, is subject to acceptance at PSK, and often dispatches faster (commonly 1–3 working days after PSK visit). Normal depends on PV and local load. Passport Seva+1

Do I need new photos if they take one at the PSK?
Carry photos only if your centre/process asks; when required, follow 4.5×3.5 cm, white background rules. Passport Seva

Will police visit my home?
Often yes for Normal. Keep address proofs ready; respond quickly if the police contact you. Passport Seva

Can I change my address or name during renewal?
Yes—select the right Re-Issue reason and carry supporting documents. Use Document Advisor to get the exact list. Passport Seva

How do I pay Tatkaal fees?
Pay Normal fee online; the Tatkaal add-on is paid in cash at PSK after the officer accepts your case under Tatkaal. Passport Seva

What about jumbo (60-page) booklets?
Available for frequent travellers; Normal fee ₹2,000, Tatkaal add-on ₹2,000. Passport Seva

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📚 Sources

• Passport Seva — Steps to Apply (Fresh/Re-issue): official “Steps to Apply” guide. Passport Seva

• Passport Seva — Mobile Passport Seva app page: registration, apply, pay, schedule. Passport Seva

• Passport Seva — Document Advisor (Re-issue): case-specific document list. Passport Seva

• Passport Seva — Fee & Payment: Fee Calculator/FAQs; Tatkaal payment advisory (Normal online + cash tatkaal at PSK). Passport Seva+1

• Passport Seva — Official fee references (Instruction Booklet): amounts for Normal/Tatkaal and lost/damaged cases. Passport Seva

• Passport Seva — Appointment Process (PDF): booking/rescheduling rules. Passport Seva

• Passport Seva — Photo specs (Instruction Booklet) & Minors photo guide: size 4.5×3.5 cm, white background. Passport Seva+1

• Passport Seva — Tatkaal FAQs: dispatch expectations and scheme basics. Passport Seva

• Context (appointments can vary by city/season): recent city reports on slot backlogs. (Use only as a planning heads-up; the official portal is the source of truth.) The Times of India

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Disclaimer: This is general guidance for Indian passport re-issue/renewal. Rules, fees, and timelines can change—always confirm on the official Passport Seva portal/app before paying or visiting a PSK/POPSK.