Official FAQs for Applying Passport at PSK

Q:	The applicant is staying at Bangalore from last two years and permanent address is in Kerala. Can he/she endorse his/her permanent address instead of present address in the passport?
A:	Only the present address will be endorsed on the passport not the permanent address.
Q:	I have stayed at three different addresses during last one year. Will the police verification be done at all the places?
A:	Yes, the police verification will be done at all the three addresses where the applicant has resided in the last one year. The previous addresses will be the places where the applicant has resided for the longest period during last one year.
Q:	While applying for fresh passport, the applicant mentions his paying guest address as present address in the application form. If the applicant shifts to another address before police verification, what should he/she do?
A:	He/She should intimate the Department In charge of Police Station.
Q:	I am a self employed person and have recently shifted to Bangalore from Delhi. I want to apply for passport on Tatkaal basis, but I don't have any address proof. What should I do?
A:	It is mandatory to submit proof of address to apply for passport. For Proof of Address attach one of the following documents: Water/Telephone (landline or post paid mobile bill)/Electricity bill/Statement of running bank account (Scheduled Commercial bank excluding Regional Rural banks and local area banks)/Income Tax Assessment Order/Election Commission Photo ID card/Gas connection bill/Certificate from Employer of reputed and widely known companies on letter head. Spouse's passport copy (First and last page including family details), (provided the applicant's present address matches the address mentioned in the spouse's passport) Parent's passport copy, in case of minors (First and last page) Applicant's current and valid ration card Aadhaar Card Note: If any applicant submits only ration card as proof of address, it should be accompanied by one more proof of address out of the given categories.
Q:	A mentally retarded person wants to go to abroad for treatment. He does not have any address proof. Will he be able to get passport? If yes, then what is the procedure?
A:	The applicant has to apply for passport and submit parent's/legal guardian's address proof along with his/her date of birth proof. Passport would be granted to the applicant subject to Assistant Passport Officer's (APOs) approval.
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Working Hours
Q:	What are the timings of Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)? Also, what are the lunch timings?
A:	The timings of Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) are as follows: Working Days Monday-Friday Working Hours 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Token Issuance 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Lunch Hours 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Short Validity Passports
Q:	In what cases Short validity passport (SVP) is issued? What documents are required to be submitted?
A:	Short Validity passport (SVP) is issued in following cases: In case of urgency, students can be issued a SVP on production of admission letters if they are to appear in examinations, such as TOEFL, SAT etc. Such applications can also be processed under the Tatkaal Scheme, if they are accompanied by verification certificate as prescribed, and proof of urgency is furnished to the Passport Office(PO). There are instances of non-delivery of passports to the applicants due to loss in transit in the post offices. In case of urgency, a SVP may be issued to the applicant, the validity to be extended to full term on completion of the formalities. Indians residing abroad and visiting India for a short period: SVP can be issued immediately, valid for one year, on production of return ticket to the country from which the applicant came and/or a document of identity such as driving license, Green Card, employment permit, social security card, health card, labour card etc. indicating the applicant's identity and nationality. If the application is for issue of duplicate passport in lieu of damaged passport, the damaged passport itself may be accepted as proof of identity provided the personal particulars are clear and legible. If a criminal case is pending against the applicant in any Court, he/she can be issued a passport subject to the condition that a written permission granted by the court allowing the applicant to travel abroad is enclosed. Normally a SVP valid for one year is issued, subject to conditions if any, mentioned in the Court order as per GSR 570 (E) dated 25 August, 1993.
Q:	What will be the validity of passport if I apply for renewal of Short Validity Passport (SVP)?
A:	The validity of passport would be decided by Assistant Passport Officer (APO), if you apply for renewal of Short Validity Passport (SVP).
Passport with incorrect details printed
Q:	Incorrect details have been printed on my passport. What should I do?
A:	If you find any mistake/error in the particulars printed in the passport booklet and the application form you submitted, please return the passport for necessary rectification. Any additional fees required to be paid would depend solely on Assistant Passport Officer (APO)/PIA's decision. If there is a misrepresentation of facts, then penalty could also be imposed. However, applicants are requested to apply online which will ensure that the passports are delivered without any typographical errors since applicants have themselves fed the data.
Others
Q:	What should be the value of the Stamp paper on which the various affidavits are to be executed?
A:	An affidavit needs to be prepared on non-judicial stamp paper of minimum value.
Q:	My mother is old and infirm. She cannot come to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Can I apply for her through an agent? OR I am a very busy executive. Can my office boy submit the application on my behalf?
A:	Under the new system it is mandatory for all applicants to be physically present while submitting the passport application form whether it is at the Passport Seva Kendra or at the District Passport Cell (DPC).
Q:	What is an E-Passport?
A:	In 2009 India was issuing e-passports to those eligible for diplomatic passports. These carry a microchip with a photograph of the bearer and relevant personal information. The e-passport program will eventually extend to ordinary passports.
Q:	What are Special Passports?
A:	India also issues special passports to citizens of India who intend to travel to Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. These passports are only good for travel to the specified destination country. The government ceased issuing Indo-Bangladesh passports in 2006, although those already issued are usable until their expiration dates. These passports allow travel to Bangladesh without requiring a visa, which ordinary passport-holders need to obtain.

More officials can issue verification certificates for passport applicants now

January 8th 2007

HYDERABAD: Even the station house officer (SI or CI as the case maybe) of the police station of your area or your mandal revenue officer can now issue a verification certificate so as to enable you to apply for a tatkal passport. This has been made possible following the simplification of the passport issuance procedures by the Ministry of External Affairs. Giving the details, Regional Passport Officer, B. Balabhaskar said on Sunday that the list of officers authorised to issue verification certificates for obtaining a tatkal passport was expanded.

The new members (Issuing Authorities)

Officers of the rank of under secretary and above in the Government of India or the State Government were already authorised to issue the certificate. The list now includes sub-divisional magistrates, first class judicial magistrates, officers of the rank of Major and above in armed forces, apart from MRO or SI or CI of the area.

This apart, one could apply for a passport under tatkal and obtain a passport of normal validity of 10 years, by submitting any three of the 14 documents prescribed by the ministry, along with an affidavit. However, one of them must be a photo identity document. The list of 14 documents is: elector's photo ID card; service ID cards issued by State/Central Government offices, public sector undertakings, local bodies or public limited companies, SC/ST/OBC certificate, freedom fighters ID cards, arms licences, property documents such as pattas or registered deeds, ration cards, pension documents, railway ID cards, PAN cards or income tax identity, bank/kisan/post office passbooks, students ID cards issued by educational institutions, driving licences, and or birth certificates issued under Registration of Births and Deaths Act.

No NOC (for Govt. Employees)

Government employees need not submit a no-objection certificate now. They should produce an identity certificate issued by their employer. Chairmen of business organisations like FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM could also issue verification certificates in respect of owners, partners or directors of member companies. Minors could also obtain passports without either of their parents having a passport.

Source: Hindu

Aadhaar Card is an acceptable Address Proof for Passport

Proof of Address - for applying passport
You are required to submit atleast 1 of the documents listed below. 1 Water Bill 2 Telephone (landline or post paid mobile bill) 3 Electricity bill 4 One year statement (with transactions)/ Passbook of running bank account (Scheduled Commercial bank excluding Regional Rural banks and local area banks) 5 Income Tax Assessment Order 6 Election Commission Photo ID card 7 Proof of Gas Connection 8 Certificate from Employer of reputed companies on letter head 9 Spouse's passport copy (First and last page including family details), (provided the applicant's present address matches the address mentioned in the spouses passport) 10 Applicant's current and valid ration card 11 Parent's passport copy, in case of minors(First and last page) 12 Aadhaar Card
Note (For Document No. 1, 2, and 3) : Atleast 2 bills are required - One bill should of be of last year and the other bill of current year.
Note (For Document No. 8) : Only public limited companies can give address proof on company letter head along with seal. Computerised print-outs shall not be entertained.
Note (For Document No. 10) : If any applicant submits only ration card as proof of address, it should be accompanied by one more proof of address out of the given categories.

Procedure for applying a Passport - Tatkal Scheme - Very Informative

First of all, I would like to thank all my blog visitors who showered comments, queries and appreciations to few of my useful posts... I appreciate all those people who spend some their valuable time on replying back to my posts with comments. As a response to it, I would like to share something very important and useful post today! Yes, it is about applying passport through tatkal scheme.

Preface: All of us know that we need movie tickets to enter a cinema and watch a specific movie, but most of us reach theatres only at last minute and never hesitate to spend 2 to 5 times of the ticket price to purchase the same at black. Similar is the case with planning a trip (booking flight or train tickets), thank god there is an option of purchasing train tickets through tatkal at a minimal extra charge. 

We have an option of going for an advance booking or prior purchasing, but very few will opt for it. Reasons may be many but I would strongly suggest all my friends and blog visitors to follow - precaution is better than cure - policy. I mean plan well in advance for everything!

Coming to the current topic, if someone wants to apply a passport through general scheme - with all the required documents (Valid Address Proof, Valid DOB Proof, Educational Certificates for ECNR) readily available - then it will hardly take two months time for him/her to get the passport delivered to his/her door step. Thanks to the government initiative called Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), which is making it reality. 

Note: In case of genuine and knowledgeable citizen's application the time required to process and dispatch the passport is less than a month's time - under speedy process (with sincere passport authorities and police verification officers donning their jobs). Practical Example is my mother-in-law's application, she got her passport within 20 days from her final submission. 

However, if one wants to get the passport in less than 15 days from submission, with all the basic necessary documents (apart from the crucial Verification Certificate from IAS/IPS/....) then the below information is most valuable and of great use....

Annexure I - Format - Passport Application - Tatkal

On Rs.20/- Stamp Paper

Annexure “I”

I, <<[APPLICANT’S NAME]>>, S/o. or D/o. or W/o. <<[FATHER’S or HUSBAND’S NAME]>>, Resident of <<[FULL ADDRESS]>>, Date of Birth: <<[DATE OF BIRTH]>> being an applicant for issue of passport, do hereby solemnly affirm and state as follows:

Annexure F - Format - Passport Application - Tatkal

On the Official Stationary (Letter Head) of the Official (IAS/IPS etc.,) 

with the photograph of the applicant

Verification Certificate 

This is to certify that [Applicant’s Name] son of (or) wife of [Father’s / Husband’s Name] whose personal particulars are given below has good moral character and reputation and that after having read the provisions of Section 6(2) of the Passports Act, 1967.  I certify that these provisions are not attracted in case of this applicant and I, recommend issue of an Indian Passport to him/her.  Applicant has been staying at his address continuously for the last one year.

Excellent Experience at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

When I first heard about the news on PSK, I felt it was a great news for me (I never wanted to spend much time standing on queues to get my passport). On 5th of December 2011, I have filled applications for both myself and my wife (online) by registering separate user ids for both of us. 

But, unfortunately we were not having sufficient address proofs apart from the Ration Card (and my wife's name is also not yet added in it) which is also not an acceptable or sufficient address proof (Click here to know what are all the documents required to apply  for a fresh passport on regular mode), you may also want to visit here - to find the best option for address proof. Using CEOANDHRA website, I managed to get my wife's Voter ID Card with our address. To know more about applying for new Voter ID Card / Make any changes in your existing Voter ID Card you may need to visit: Online Applications for Electoral ID Cards

After filling and submitting our application forms online, I have booked time slots for documents submission and processing (we need to login with our registered credentials to passportindia.gov.in website sharp at 6 PM IST to reserve/book appointments). I have also uploaded the scanned copies of our SSC Marks Sheets, Birth Certificates (actually not required for us - but must for those who born after 26th Jan 1989) and Marriage Certificate along with our Voter ID Cards (which are not valid address proof documents, as they were issued just one month back - these were supposed to be issued at least one year before the date of application). 

Address Proof for Applying Passport at PSK

With my personal experience - I can now confidently say that, the easiest and the best way of submitting an application form for the Passport is through Passport Seva Kendra (aka PSK) with the help of a simple internet application (developed by Tata Consultancy Services aka TCS) by just registering a user account @ http://www.passportindia.gov.in website, filling an application form online (without any errors), booking a suitable / available time slot (sharp at evening 6 PM) and finally visiting the nearest Passport Seva Kendra. You will actually have a choice of selecting the nearest PSK at the time of booking your time slot for an in person application submission process for documents verification and next steps. 

Please refer my old posts at links below, for more information:

• Tatkal Passport in 3 Days
• Procedure for applying passport at PSK (Passport Seva Kendra)

However, I found a very few (but very important) hindrances faced by few applicants at the Begumpet PSK and thought of helping all my friends and followers to avoid wasting their precious time by sharing some important tips / information / suggestions.

Procedure for applying a Passport at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or at Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK)

On the public interest, I am posting this blog which will explain the detailed process of applying for a fresh passport at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) / Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK) through online, from the Government of India initiative website called - http://www.passportindia.gov.in/.

Those who want to learn about this process directly from the website can click on the above link and try to gather the information. But due to my personal interest, I did all that research (on this website) and gathered the below information for the ease of my friends and blog visitors, which should help them in applying for their passports:

Earlier, it was a huge hindrance to apply for a passport and it used to take a hell lot of time. But thanks to the government for initiating this process, which is definitely new at the current time but would certainly succeed in the long run. Everyone can see the below details on the website directly, but if your question is "what is the need of reading this article here on this blog", then my answer would be - one can find all the required information at one page!

For filling and submitting your application online,you need to be a registered user on the Passport Seva website. To create your user account for online form submission, Register now.  Once you register,follow the steps mentioned here-

Step 1: Log into your Passport Seva user account. 

Step 2: Select the Apply Passport Online menu option in the left navigation menu.

Step 3: Fill in the required details in the form and submit the form online.

Step 4 (Optional): Upload the required documents using the Upload Document link on the Applicant Home Page. The documents to be uploaded must be self-attested (signed by the applicant) and must be in pdf format.

Step 5: You are required to be present at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK) along with original documents for completion of the application submission process. Schedule an appointment with the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/ Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK) that comes under the jurisdiction of applicant residence.Online appointment is mandatory to walk into PSK for further processing.Only emergency/medical cases may go to PSK without appointment - service will be provided at the discretion of PSK in -charge. You will need to re-submit the application in case the form submission process at PSK is not completed within 3 months of submitting the application online.

Read procedure for online applicant at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK)

I want to submit application at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK) - (Preferred Way of applying a passport).

You can apply in-person for various passport services at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) or Mini Passport Seva Kendras (Mini PSKs). Assistance for filling up the form is available at nominal charges at all Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK). Schedule an appointment with the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/ Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK) that comes under the jurisdiction of applicant residence. Online appointment is mandatory to walk into PSK for further processing. Only emergency/medical cases may go to PSK without appointment. Service will be provided at the discretion of PSK in-charge for emergency/medical cases.

Steps for form submission at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Mini Passport Seva Kendra (Mini PSK) (Walk-in) - 

Step 1: Collect a token from the Token Issuance Counter after showing your filled passport application form and supporting documents along with the originals(original documents not to be attached with application).

Step 2: Wait for your turn in the waiting area till the token number is displayed on the display board. Submit the token, filled application form and self-attested (signed by the applicant) photocopies of the supporting documents to the Citizen Service Executive (CSE) at the service counter displayed with your token number.

Step 3: Complete activities at the counter, such as signing / thumb impression, the printout of the application form, getting your photograph and fingerprints captured, and making fee payment.

Note: Minor applicants below 4 years of age should carry a passport size photograph (on a white background) while visiting Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

In case you are paying the fee through Credit/ Debit card, only card of self or family member whose details have been mentioned in the passport application form are acceptable. Only Master and Visa Credit/ Debit cards are accepted (This service will be available soon).

Step 4: Collect the fee acknowledgement receipt from the Citizen Service Executive (CSE) (after successful data entry) and go to the Verification counter, when Token number is displayed on the display-board for verification of your application with original documents. All original documents must be produced.

Step 5: Go to the Granting counter, when Token number is displayed on display-board for further processing of your application. 

Step 6: Collect the print-out of the final status of your application (acknowledgement letter) at the exit gate.

After successful application form submission, with final status as "Granted", you can expect your passport to be dispatched as follows:

Type of Application	Type of Police Verification	Expected Time of Passport Dispatch
Tatkaal	Police Verification is not required	Within one working day excluding the date of submission of application.
	Police Verification is required on a Post-Passport Issuance basis	On third working day excluding the date of submission of application - without waiting for the Police Verification Report.
Normal	Police Verification is not required	On third working day excluding the date of submission of application.
	Police Verification is required on a Post-Passport Issuance basis	On third working day excluding the date of submission of application - without waiting for the Police Verification Report.
	Police Verification is required on Pre-Passport Issuance basis	Within three working days of receipt of a "Recommendatory" Police Verification Report (PVR) from the Police Department. This does not include date of receipt of "Recommendatory" PVR.

Note:

i. In complex cases, such as adoption, application on behalf of a minor from single parent, major change in name, duplicate passport, doubtful documentation, the processing time will be approximately 30 days excluding the date of submission of application. Mandatory Pre-Police Verification cases such as J&K and Nagaland subjects would also need additional processing time.

ii. Issue of passport is subject to data check in the system and finding no adverse entry/ report.

In case you have been charged with a penalty, you need to make the penalty payment by cash only.

We should now know, nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) < Click on this link.

How do I fill my application form?

If Applying online
Detailed and clear instructions are provided for each field in the form. You can refer the help provided in the online application form. 
If Applying on printed form 
Detailed and clear instructions are attached with the form for filling it up correctly. There is an instructions booklet attached with the form that you should go through carefully before filling up the form. Forms to Download

General instructions for filling up the form are as follows:

• Use CAPITAL LETTERS only, throughout the application form.
• Use standard fonts and avoid stylized writing.
• Use black or blue ball point pen only. Do NOT fill the application form with pencil or ink-pen.
• Write as clearly as possible. Use a pen with a thinnest possible tip.
• Put a cross (X) in the boxes where you have to choose one or more options as your answer and leave the other option(s) blank.For example, if your gender is male, put a cross in the box against male.
• Do NOT put dots, tick marks, etc, in the boxes, to choose the appropriate option as your answer.
• Write clearly within the boxes without touching the boundaries. Try and write in the centre of the box.
• Leave one box blank after each complete word, while filling up the boxes.
• Do NOT write anything outside the given boxes. Adjust the information you need to fill, within the given number of boxes.
• Do NOT overwrite in case of a mistake. Just strikeout the character and continue to write in the next box.
• Do NOT fold or smudge the application form.
• Do NOT write "NA" or "N/A" or "NOT APPLICABLE" in any boxes in the form to convey that the column is not relevant for your case. Leave that column blank.

For instructions on each column in the form, refer the instructions booklet attached with the form or download the instructions booklet. 

Documents required for applying a fresh Passport (General) >> Check here <<

• Proof of Present Address - List of Acceptable Documents
• Proof of Date of Birth - List of Acceptable Documents
• Documentary proof for any one of the Non-ECR (previously ECNR) categories Documents Required for Non-ECR

Note: The information provided above is indicative. The decision of APO/RPO shall be considered final.

Proof of Address You are required to submit at least 1 of the documents listed below.
1	Water Bill
2	Telephone (landline or postpaid mobile bill)
3	Electricity bill
4	One year statement (with transactions)/ Passbook of running bank account (Scheduled Commercial bank excluding Regional Rural banks and local area banks)
5	Income Tax Assessment Order
6	Election Commission Photo ID card
7	Proof of Gas Connection
8	Certificate from Employer of reputed companies on letter head
9	Spouse's passport copy (First and last page including family details), (provided the applicant's present address matches the address mentioned in the spouses passport)
10	Applicant's current and valid ration card
11	Parent's passport copy, in case of minors(First and last page)
Note (For Document No. 1, 2, and 3): At least 2 bills are required - One bill should be of last year and the other bill of current year.
Note (For Document No. 8): Only public limited companies can give address proof on company letter head along with seal. Computerized print-outs shall not be entertained.
Note (For Document No. 10): If any applicant submits only ration card as proof of address, it should be accompanied by one more proof of address out of the given categories.

Proof of Date of Birth (DOB) You are required to submit atleast 1 of the documents listed below.
1	Birth certificate issued by a Municipal Authority or any office authorized to issue Birth and Death Certificate by the Registrar of Births & Deaths
2	School leaving certificate / Secondary School leaving certificate/ Certificate of Recognized Boards from the school last attended by the applicant or any other recognized educational institution
3	Affidavit sworn before a Magistrate/Notary stating date/place of birth as per the specimen in Annexure 'A' by illiterate or semi-illiterate applicants (Less than 5th class).
Documents Required for Non-ECR

Non-ECR Category	Document(s) Required
All persons having educational qualifications of matriculation and above	Matriculation Pass Certificate

Tatkal Passport in 3 days with 3 Passport Seva Kendras in Hyderabad now

One of the other best initiative from the Government of India is that it has set up three (3) Passport Seva Kendras in Hyderabad itself and in total 77 PSKs across the country! Please read the below article from The New Indian Express, it's an official announcement!

HYDERABAD: To discourage mediators’ involvement and provide timely services in a transparent manner, the Regional Passport Office here has set up Passport Seva Kendras in the twin cities and at Vijayawada, Tirupati and Nizamabad.

Speaking to mediamen here on Tuesday, regional passport officer K Srikar Reddy said the Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) would function shortly. The state capital will have three kendras, one each at Ameerpet, Tolichowki and Begumpet. These will be functioning from November 25.

“Applicants need not stand in long queues and wait endlessly in front of the Regional Passport Office in Secunderabad to submit applications. They can visit passport office’s website and book a slot.

After being assigned the application number, the applicants can approach the nearest PSK and submit their bona-fidess. We will issue normal passport in 30 days and Tatkal passport in three days,’’ he said.

Reddy said the passport department launched 77 PSKs across the country in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in private-public partnership mode. TCS will assist the passport department through outsourcing in issuing passports in a jiffy. The department will get police enquiry details online. “As many as 2,000 passports a day will be issued to applicants through the PSKs in the twin cities. The new initiative will help us in preventing private agents’ involvement.’’

The RPO said that they would set up one passport centre at each district headquarters to deliver passport-related services in a timely, transparent, more accessible and reliable manner and in a comfortable environment through streamlined processes and committed, trained and motivated work force.

With fake passport cases being reported in the twin cities, he said, they identified as many as 100 applicants and sent their documents to the Election Commission for verification. As of now, they received the report that 10 of the applicants submitted fake proofs and they asked the city police for necessary action against them.

For more details and to apply for a passport online, one can visit http://www.ap.nic.in/passport

Hyderabad | Posted on Nov 23, 2011 at 09:17am IST

Source: Express News Service , The New Indian Express
Click on Read More for Hindu Article, which has more information.