Renewing your passport is a process that requires some time, a bit of paperwork, and a fee to be paid for the services involved. An expired passport cannot be used for international travel, and therefore to avoid delays and complications, it is advisable to renew it before the expiration date. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to passport renewal charges in India, including fees, process, and requirements.
Passport Renewal Charges in India
The Passport renewal charges in India depend on the type of service the applicant opts for and the number of pages required. The standard passport renewal fee for a booklet of 36 pages is INR 1500, while the fee for a booklet of 60 pages is INR 2000. However, there are additional charges for Tatkal and normal service, as well as Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) fees.
Tatkal Service:
Tatkal service is an expedited service for passport renewal, where an applicant can receive their renewed passport within one to three days from the date of application. However, this service comes with an additional fee of INR 2,000. The total passport renewal fee with Tatkal service for a 36-page booklet is INR 3,500, and for a 60-page booklet, it is INR 4,000.
Normal Service:
Normal service is the standard service option for passport renewal, where the processing time is longer than Tatkal service. The estimated time for renewal under normal service is 30 days from the date of application. The total passport renewal fee for normal service is INR 1,500 for a 36-page booklet and INR 2,000 for a 60-page booklet.
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Fees
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is required for certain types of visa applications, and the fee for this service is INR 500. This service can be opted for while filling the passport renewal application form.
Process of Passport Renewal:
The process of passport renewal in India can be completed both online and offline. The following are the steps involved in the passport renewal process.
Online Process:
The steps involved in the online process of passport renewal are:
- Visit the official Passport Seva website and register yourself.
- Log in to your account and fill out the passport renewal application form.
- Upload a recent photograph and other required documents.
- Pay the passport renewal fee online.
- Submit the application online.
- Schedule an appointment for document verification at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).
Offline Process:
The steps involved in the offline process of passport renewal are:
- Download and print the passport renewal application form.
- Fill out the form with the required details.
- Attach a recent photograph and other required documents.
- Calculate and pay the passport renewal fee through a demand draft or challan.
- Submit the application form at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).
- Schedule an appointment for document verification.
Requirements for Passport Renewal
The following are the requirements for passport renewal in India:
- The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- The applicant must have an existing passport, either expired or nearing expiry.
- The applicant must not have lost or damaged their passport.
- The applicant must be at least 18 years or above.
- The applicant must have a valid address proof document.
Conclusion
Renewing your passport is an important process that requires some time, paperwork, and a fee to be paid. In India, the fees for passport renewal depend on the type of service opted for and the number of pages required. The Tatkal service is an expedited service that comes with an additional fee, while the normal service has a longer processing time. The process of passport renewal can be completed both online and offline, and the requirements include citizenship, a valid previous passport, age, and address proof. By following these guidelines, one can easily renew their passport hassle-free!