Passport for Minors in India

Key Features of Passport for Minors in India

Note: The application process of passport for minors is different from adults. The passport is issued only to the child, and the application must be signed by both parents or legal guardians, as required.

Who Can Apply for Passport for Minors?

A minor's passport can be applied for by a parent or guardian. To put it another way, either the legal guardian or the parent must consent to the granting of a minor's passport.

How to Apply for Minor’s Passport Online in India

To apply for a minor's passport, you need to follow this process:

Step 1: Register the minor on the Passport Seva Website.

Step 2: Create a login ID and password.

Step 3: Enter the account and fill in the application form.

Step 4: Once you have submitted the application form successfully, you can make the payment.

Step 5: Schedule an appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPK) for document verification and police verification as applicable. 

Annexures for Minor’s Passport

Validity for Minor’s Passport 

1. A passport for minor is valid for five years or until the child reaches the age of eighteen, whichever comes first.  

1. Minors between the ages of 15 and 18 years may, however, apply for a 10-year passport instead of a passport that is valid until they reach the age of 18 years. 
2. It's worth noting that a 10-year passport is only provided following a police check. Police verification is mandatory for 10-year passports for minors aged between 15 to 18 years, but for minors less than 15 years of age, the verification in some cases, be conducted after the passport has been issued.  

Payment Modes for Minor Passport

1. You can make the payment by clicking on View saved/submitted applications. Then select Pay and schedule appointment.
2. The Passport Seva Kendra website uses the SBI payment portal.
3. For Tatkal, the regular fees must be paid online. If the tatkal request is approved, then the remaining amount can be paid in cash at the Passport Seva Kendra.
4. You can use any of the following modes to make the payment.
   
   

Eligibility Criteria for Minor Passport

The documentation required for issuance of a minor's passport may vary on various factors as listed below:

An application for minor’s passport can be submitted if the applicant meets the following universal criteria: 

• The minor should be a citizen of India. 
• The applicant must be below 18 years of age at the time of application. 
• The application must be submitted by either or both parents, or a legal guardian with proper consent.
•  The required documents for minor’s passport that show proof of birth and residence must be provided.

Documents to be Submitted by Minor for Fresh Passport

The documents that minors under the age of 18 must present in order to obtain a new passport are divided into categories based on their eligibility.
The following are the documents that minors must present in order to meet certain eligibility criteria:

Minors between 15-18 years of age:

Note: If the applicant is eligible for the Non-ECR category, documentary proof in the form of a Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Authority or any other agency authorised by the Registrar of Births and Deaths to issue Birth Certificates is required.

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth

Children under 18 years of age from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Nagaland:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.

Kids of Government/PSU/Statutory body employees with police verification:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.

Children of Government/PSU/Statutory body employees without police verification:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. Identity certificate in original as per Annexure A
5. Standard affidavit as per Annexure E

Kids of parent(s) holding a valid passport with spouse name endorsed:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. Attested photocopy of Passport of both or either parent

Children of Parent(s) who reside abroad:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure C. (Note: Annexure C is required when one parent has not given consent or when Annexure D cannot be arranged.)

Minors adopted by Indian Parents:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. A valid adoption deed with the photo of the child duly attested by the court.
   (Note: In case of Christians, Muslims and Parsis, a court decree/order granting adoption/guardianship and allowing the child to be taken out of the country.)
   OR a declaration on a plain paper confirming the adoption.

Children adopted by foreign parents:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. CARA No Objection certificate
4. Copy of the guarantee executed before the court concerned
5. Court decree/order in respect of legal guardian

Children aged below 18 years whose parents are divorced:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. A certified copy of the court order for custody of the child in favour of the applicant's parent.

Kids looking to avail a passport whose parents are separated but not legally divorced:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure C.

Children who are brought up by a single parent (Child born out of wedlock):

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure C.

Minors of single parent where one parent is deceased:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. Death certificate of first marriage spouse.

When Passport is applied for the minor by one parent as the other parent is not giving consent or when the passport is applied by the guardian as one or both parents are not giving consent documents such as the one mentioned below needs to be submitted:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure C.

When passport for children under 18 years of age is applied by legal guardian:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. Court decree/order in respect of legal guardian

Students who stay away from their parent's current residential address:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. Student Identity card issued by Government recognized educational institutions, in respect of full-time courses
5. Bonafide letter from authorized signatory of UGC recognized college on the official letterhead.

For availing a passport for children born through surrogacy:

1. Proof of present address
2. Proof of date of birth
3. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure D.
4. A declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application as per Annexure I

Fees & Charges for Passport for Minors in India

The fees applicable for minors varies according to the scheme selected. It also depends on the age of the minor and the validity of the passport required. The fees are different for fresh passport issue and for passport reissue.

Fresh Charges for Passport for Minors

Minor's Passport Reissue Charges

How to Pay for a Minor’s Passport

Here are the available payment methods for minor passport applications in India:

1. SBI Payment Portal: Passport payments are processed through the State Bank of India (SBI) payment portal at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). 

1. Tatkaal Passport Payments: For Tatkaal services, the regular fee is paid online through SBI, while the remaining balance is paid in cash at the PSK. 

1. Choosing Payment Options: After clicking on "View Saved/Submitted Applications," you can select your preferred payment method. 

1. Payment Methods: Available options include credit or debit cards, internet banking, and SBI bank challan/wallet payments.

1. Service Tax: A 1.5% service tax applies to all payment methods except for SBI Bank Challan and SBI Internet Banking.

Processing Time for Minor's Passports in India

Depending on a number of variables, the processing time following a successful application may differ. After a juvenile applies for a passport, the parents or legal guardians will receive a notification or affirmation receipt. After you get the acknowledgement receipt, the passport will typically be dispatched, but if police verification is required, the processing can take longer than the usual timeframe. The PSK website also offers a passport-tracking feature that allows you to follow the progress of your minor’s passport application.

Steps to Re-issue Minor’s Passport Online in India

To renew a minor's passport online in India, follow these steps:

1.  Visit the Passport Seva Online Portal and click on the "Register Now" link to create an account.

1. Use your newly created credentials to log in to the portal.

1. Once logged in, choose the "Re-issue of Passport" option.

1. Fill out the required information in the form and submit it.

1. Head to "View Saved/Submitted Applications" and click on "Pay and Schedule Appointment" to choose your preferred PSK, POPSK (Post Office Passport Seva Kendra), or Passport Office. 

1. You can make your payment using credit/debit cards (Visa/MasterCard), internet banking from non-SBI banks, or via SBI challan.

1. After payment, print the application receipt or save the SMS with the Appointment Reference Number (ARN), which serves as proof for your appointment.

1. Visit PSK or RPO: On the appointment day, visit the Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office with the required original documents.

This process streamlines the renewal of minor's passports while ensuring ease of access through various payment modes and appointment scheduling.

How to Protect a Minor’s Passport

A minor's passport is an important document that serves as proof of citizenship and identity abroad. To keep it safe and secure, follow these guidelines:

1. Always know where you’ve stored the passport.

1. Ensure it remains dry and undamaged.

1. Do not allow others to use it under any circumstances.

1. Avoid making any alterations to the passport such as folding, lamination, writing in it. Only authorised officials can make endorsements.

1. Keep a photocopy of the passport's identification page for reference.

1. Record the passport number and its expiration date.

1. In case of loss or theft, promptly report it to the nearest Passport Office or police station and apply for reissue of the passport.

Taking these precautions will help prevent identity theft and protect the minor's passport from misuse.