The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issues Passports to Indian citizens for the purpose of international travel which serves as proof of Indian citizenship as per the Passports Act (1967). The Passport Seva (Passport Service) unit of the Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs functions as the central passport organization and is responsible for issuing Indian passports on demand to all eligible Indian citizens.

Indian citizens can apply for the issue of passport both online and offline. The online application of passport can be made on Passport Seva, the official website of Passport & Visa Division Ministry of External Affairs. One can also reissue a stolen or filled up passport here.

Step-by-step process:

Step 1: Go to the official website of Passport Seva (link given above) and click on ‘New User? Register Now’ at the top left of the Homepage.

A user registration page opens.

Step 2: On the top appears an option ‘Register to apply at’. Select ‘Passport Office’. Fill other required details and create a login id with a password.

Step 3: Come back to the Homepage and login with the registered id and password.

Step 4: Read the instruction manual before proceeding with the application.

Step 5: Click ‘Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport’

Step 6: Fill the required details in the form and click ‘Submit’

Step 7: Click the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ link on the ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’ screen to schedule an appointment.

Step 8: Choose the mode of payment- Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) and Associate Banks and Other Banks) or SBI Bank Challan.

Step 9: Once the payment is made, you will receive a message with the confirmation of the appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and the appointment number.

You need not carry the print receipt at the PSK since an SMS with your appointment details is also accepted as proof of appointment during your visit to the Passport Office

Step 10: Visit the PSK with original documents and self-attested copies.

It takes about three working days to receive the passport at the specified address.