Process to Apply for Fresh / Reissue Ordinary Passport and PCC

A Fresh Passport is issued to an applicant who is applying for an ordinary passport for the first time. If you have previously held an ordinary passport, you must apply under the Re-Issue category instead of Fresh Passport—even if your old passport has expired.

To apply under Normal service, register on the official Passport Seva Portal and log in to your account. Select “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport,” choose the Fresh Passport option, complete the application form and submit it.

After submitting the form, pay the applicable passport fee and schedule an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Visit the selected centre with the required original documents and photocopies. All applicants, including infants, must be physically present for the required verification, biometrics and photograph.

After the appointment, track the application using your File Number and Date of Birth. Once approved, the passport is dispatched to the applicant’s present address through India Post Speed Post.

Tatkaal is an urgent passport processing service for eligible applicants who need their passport sooner. It follows the same basic online application process as Normal service, but the applicant must select Tatkaal while applying and pay an additional Tatkaal fee.

Applicants applying under Tatkaal must submit the applicable address, date-of-birth and Non-ECR documents, along with additional documents from the official Tatkaal acceptable-document list. Applicants above 18 years generally need to submit any three acceptable documents, while applicants below 18 years may need any two specified documents.

Tatkaal is not available for every situation. Applicants should check the official eligibility and ineligible-category list before making payment. Certain cases, such as some name changes, address-jurisdiction issues and specific minor applications, may not be accepted under Tatkaal.

After submitting the application, pay the applicable fee, book a Tatkaal appointment at a PSK or POPSK and visit the centre with the required original documents and photocopies. The official Passport Seva FAQ states that eligible Tatkaal passports are generally dispatched faster, but the actual processing and delivery time may depend on verification, approval and postal delivery.

Choose Normal service when you do not have an urgent requirement. Choose Tatkaal only when you need the passport urgently and meet the applicable eligibility and document requirements.

Passport renewal is officially handled under the Re-Issue category. You should apply for Re-Issue when your passport is about to expire or has expired, your passport pages are exhausted, your personal details have changed, or your passport is lost or damaged.

Apply under Normal service, register on the official Passport Seva Portal and log in to your account. Select “Apply for fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport,” choose the Re-Issue option and select the reason for your application. Complete the required details and submit the form.

After submitting the form, pay the applicable passport fee and schedule an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Carry your existing passport, original supporting documents and one set of self-attested photocopies. The required documents may differ depending on the reason for Re-Issue.

Visit the selected centre on the appointment date for document verification, biometrics and other required procedures. After the appointment, track your application using your File Number and Date of Birth. Once approved, the re-issued passport is dispatched to your present address through India Post Speed Post.

Tatkaal Re-Issue is an urgent passport service for eligible applicants who already hold or previously held a passport and need a re-issued passport sooner. While applying online, select the Re-Issue category, choose the applicable reason and select Tatkaal as the type of application.

Applicants applying under Tatkaal must submit the existing or last-issued passport, along with the applicable address, date-of-birth and Non-ECR documents. Additional documents from the official Tatkaal acceptable-document list may also be required. Applicants above 18 years generally need any three acceptable documents, while applicants below 18 years may need any two specified documents.

Tatkaal is not available for every Re-Issue case. Certain name-change cases, applicants whose present address is outside the jurisdiction of the selected Regional Passport Office and specific minor applications may not be eligible. If a passport is damaged beyond recognition, it may also not qualify for Tatkaal processing.

After submitting the application, pay the applicable Normal passport fee and additional Tatkaal fee, then book an appointment at a PSK or POPSK. Visit the centre with the required original documents and self-attested photocopies. The Passport Office has the final authority to decide whether the application is eligible for Tatkaal issuance.

Choose Normal Re-Issue when you do not have an urgent requirement. Choose Tatkaal Re-Issue only when you need the passport urgently and meet the current eligibility and document requirements.

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is issued to Indian passport holders who need police clearance for employment, residential status, immigration or a long-term visa. PCC is a separate passport-related service and is not the same as applying for a Fresh Passport or Re-Issue. PCC is generally not issued for travelling abroad on a Tourist Visa.

To apply for a PCC, register on the official Passport Seva Portal and log in to your account. Select “Apply for Police Clearance Certificate,” choose the appropriate Regional Passport Office and complete the application form.

The PCC application includes passport type, applicant details, family details, address details, other required information and a self-declaration. Carefully check all information before submitting because changes may not be allowed after submission. Once submitted, an Application Reference Number (ARN) is generated .

Pay the applicable PCC fee and schedule an appointment at the selected Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) or Passport Office, as available. Carry your original valid passport and the supporting documents required to prove the purpose of your PCC application. The required documents may vary depending on your case and address details.

Visit the selected centre on the appointment date for document verification and other required procedures. After submission, track your PCC application through the official Passport Seva Portal using the available application-status option. The final issuance of the PCC depends on the verification and decision of the concerned Passport Office.

Apostille is a document-authentication service provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). If a foreign employer, immigration authority or organisation asks for an apostilled Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), the PCC must first be issued through Passport Seva and then submitted for Apostille authentication.

Apostille is generally used when the document is required in a country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. If the destination country does not accept Apostille, the applicant may need to follow the Normal Attestation process instead.

Before applying, check whether the PCC requires authentication by a designated State or Union Territory authority. If the document is available through an eligible digital repository, the e-Sanad route may be available. For documents not covered under e-Sanad, follow the authentication process through the appropriate Regional Authentication Centre (RAC).

After the required authentication, submit the original PCC or true copy, a photocopy of the document and a photocopy of the applicant’s passport to an authorised MEA service provider. MEA does not accept Apostille documents directly from individuals at its counter. The authorised provider receives the document and returns it after the Apostille process.

After receiving the apostilled PCC, check that the applicant’s name, passport details, document number and Apostille certificate are correct. Apostille confirms the origin and authenticity of the document’s signature or seal; it does not provide a visa, job approval or immigration permission. Always check the latest document format and requirements with the destination country or requesting organisation.