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Chris John

Published on: Sep 15, 2026

Re-issuance of Passport

A passport is an essential document that one requires to travel to other countries. The Government of India, with the help of the Passport Seva Kendra, issues passports to eligible citizens, thereby enabling them to travel internationally. The validity of an Indian passport is 10 years, after which it must be reissued or renewed. In this article, we take a detailed look at the re-issue of Indian passports and the necessary details concerning the same.

Need for Reissue of Passport

One may apply for the re-issuance of their passport for any of the following reasons:

  • Validity of their passport has expired or is due to expire within the next three years.
  • Change in any personal details such as name, date of birth, address, etc.
  • When the passport has been expired for more than three years.
  • One is required to apply for a re-issue of the passport if it has been damaged or disfigured.
  • When the pages of the passport are exhausted.
  • If the whereabouts of their passport are unknown, they must file an FIR at the nearest police station and submit the same along with the application for the re-issue of their passport.

Re-issue vs Renewal

The following are the significant differences between the re-issuance and renewal of an Indian passport.

Re-issue of Passports:

A passport is re-issued when the user requires an entirely new and fresh passport. When the passport is re-issued, a new booklet is provided to the applicant. Passport re-issuance is often confused with its renewal. The reasons for re-issuing passports have been given above in detail.

Passport Renewal:

Renewal occurs when passports are issued for a short period or with short validity. This period may last between one to five years, and its validity is extended to the standard 10 years like a regular Indian passport. It is essential to carry the old passport when it's being renewed. While the passport number remains the same, the date of expiry changes. Modifications are made to the existing or old passport.

Documents Required

The following is a list of standard documents required to file an application for the re-issue of a passport. The Passport Seva Kendra may ask for additional documents as needed:

  • Identity Proof: A legally recognized document indicating the complete name of the applicant, ensuring the name on the passport matches official records.
  • Photographs: Submit two recent passport-sized photographs, though most Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) are equipped with cameras for taking passport-sized photos.
  • Proof of Age: A document confirming the date of birth, such as a birth certificate or transfer certificate from school.
  • Proof of Address: A document verifying the applicant's residence, matching the address on the application form.
  • Certain Pages of the Applicant's Passport: Self-attested copies of the first two and last two pages of the old passport.
  • Old Passport: The expired passport booklet must be surrendered before obtaining a new passport.
  • Appointment Application Receipt: If an online appointment is booked, the applicant must show a printout confirming the payment and appointment details.

Process for Re-Issuance

Getting your passport reissued is relatively straightforward. Visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra and submit your application. A requisite fee is charged for the process. The application can also be completed online. Below are the steps for online application.

Passport Login Registration

Complete the following steps to register on the Passport Seva portal:

Step 1:

Visit the official Passport Seva website.

Step 2:

Click on the New User? Register Now tab.

Step 3:

Select the Passport Office closest to your location.

Step 4:

Enter the essential personal details, as shown on the page.

Step 5:

Create your Login ID and Password following the portal's terms and conditions.

Step 6:

Select the Hint Question and Answer to help recover login details if lost.

Step 7:

Click on the Register icon.

Step 8:

An activation link will be emailed to the registered email address. Click on this link to activate your account.

Step 9:

After account activation, proceed to renew your passport application.

Passport Renewal Application

Follow these steps to submit your passport renewal application on the Passport Seva portal:

Step 1:

Visit the official website.

Step 2:

Click on the Existing User? Login icon.

Step 3:

Select the Apply for fresh passport/ Re-issue of passport tab.

Step 4:

Fill out the form available on the portal.

Note:Provide details such as current address, spouse's details, and two local references for police verification. Validate and save the form after entering city or village details, then upload it back, ensuring all information is accurate before proceeding.Step 5:

Review all entered information before submitting. Errors cannot be altered later, potentially requiring a restart.

Step 6:

Click on View Saved/Submitted Application to schedule an appointment.

Step 7:

Online payment is mandatory for booking appointments at the Passport Seva Kendra.

Step 8:

Complete the payment process using accepted modes of payment.

Step 9:

If online banking is not possible, print an offline challan and pay at an SBI branch. The bank will verify the payment within two days.

Step 10:

After completing the application, click on Print Application Receipt to obtain the Application Reference Number and other essential details.

After scheduling, visit the passport office on your appointment date and time, using the SMS confirmation as proof if needed. Missing the appointment will require rescheduling.

Police Verification

Following a reissue request, Passport Seva determines if police verification is needed, considering the following types:

  • Pre-police verification: Conducted if personal details (e.g., name, address) are updated, ensuring provided details are accurate.
  • Post-police verification: Conducted when there are no changes to personal details.

Pre- and post-police verifications depend on the applicant's records and resource availability at Passport Seva.

Back to Learn

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Reissue of Passport.

A re-issue of a passport involves getting an entirely new passport booklet, while renewal simply extends the validity of an existing passport without issuing a new booklet. The passport number remains the same in case of renewal, but a new passport booklet is issued during re-issue.
You can apply for re-issue of your passport online by visiting the official Passport Seva website, registering as a new user, filling the online application form, and scheduling an appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra. The process is explained in detail in the article.
The main documents required for re-issue of a passport include identity proof, age proof, address proof, recent passport-size photographs, appointment application receipt, and copies of the old passport's first two and last two pages. Additional documents may be requested by the Passport Seva Kendra.
You should apply for re-issue of your passport if its validity has expired or is about to expire within the next 3 years, if there is a change in your personal details like name or address, if your passport is damaged or disfigured, or if its pages are exhausted.
Whether you need to go through police verification or not depends on if there are any changes in your personal details like name or address. If there are changes, a pre-police verification is conducted. If not, a post-police verification may be done based on the availability of resources.
The time taken to get a re-issued passport can vary depending on factors like the volume of applications, availability of appointment slots, and whether police verification is required or not. Generally, it can take several weeks to a few months from the date of application.
Yes, you can track the status of your passport re-issue application online by logging into your account on the Passport Seva website using the application reference number provided during the application process.
Yes, you are required to surrender your old or expired passport booklet to the Passport Seva Kendra when applying for re-issue of your passport. Copies of certain pages of the old passport also need to be submitted.
Yes, you can apply for re-issue of your passport from any Passport Seva Kendra in India, regardless of the place where your previous passport was issued. However, it is recommended to apply at the Passport Seva Kendra closest to your current residential address.
Yes, you need to pay a requisite fee for the re-issue of your passport. The fee can be paid online through various modes of payment or through an offline challan at an SBI branch during the application process.