Are you planning to get a passport too? Then there is important news for you. The central government has updated the passport application rules. Under the new guidelines, individuals born on or after October 1, 2023, must provide a government-issued birth certificate as the sole proof of their date of birth. Without this document, their date of birth will not be accepted.
This week, the Central Government released an official notice implementing changes to the passport regulations established in 1980. Officials have indicated that these new rules will take effect once they are published in the official gazette.
As per the revised regulations, only birth certificates issued by a Registrar of Births and Deaths, a Municipal Corporation, or any authorized officer under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, will be accepted for those born on or after October 1, 2023. For applicants born before this date, alternative documents such as a driving license or school leaving certificate can still be used as proof of date of birth, following the previous system.
To apply for a passport, start by visiting the passport service portal and logging in. Once you’re in, select the option for a new passport, fill out all the required details, and submit the form. Next, click on ‘Make payment and schedule an appointment.’ Choose a convenient time for your appointment, then head to the passport service center with the necessary documents. After that, a police verification will take place at your home, and you’ll receive your passport. Just keep in mind that the whole process usually takes around 10 to 15 days.