Passport Appointment Booking: If you travel by air between locations, having a passport is essential. Whether you wish to apply for a new passport or renew an existing one, it is crucial to submit an online application and book an appointment before visiting a Passport Seva Kendra. The best part is that a significant portion of the process—including the application, fee payment, and slot booking—can be completed online from the comfort of your home. It is always advisable to use the Ministry of External Affairs’ official website for passport-related matters.
How to apply for a passport online:
Open the Passport Seva Portal and click on the ‘Register’ option.
Navigate to the ‘Services’ section on the dashboard. Here, you will see options to ‘Apply for Fresh Passport’ or ‘Re-issue Passport’.
Fill out the passport application form with your personal details.
Thoroughly verify all information before submitting the form. Ensure that your name, date of birth, address, and other details exactly match your official documents.
Upon successful submission of the application form, you will receive an Application Reference Number (ARN).
Once the form is submitted, the appointment booking process begins.
Go to the ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’ section and select the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ option.
As per the Passport Seva procedure, online fee payment is mandatory to book an appointment at a PSK (Passport Seva Kendra) or POPSK (Post Office Passport Seva Kendra).
Select an appointment slot that suits your convenience from the available dates and times.
Review all details, complete the payment, and book the appointment.
After booking the appointment, you will have the option to print the application receipt.
What to carry when visiting the Passport Seva Kendra?
You must visit the PSK/POPSK on your scheduled appointment date. Carry the necessary documents for the application, such as proof of identity, proof of address, proof of date of birth, your old passport, Aadhaar card, PAN card, 10th-grade mark sheet, etc.
What happens at the PSK?
Upon arrival at the Passport Seva Kendra on the day of your appointment, your application and documents will be processed. Document verification and other formalities related to the passport application are completed there. Depending on the specific case, police verification may also be required. Therefore, ensure you bring your original documents on the day of the appointment.
What to do if a passport appointment slot is unavailable?
Often, a slot for your preferred date may not be available. There is no need to worry in such situations. According to Passport Seva, cancelled or rescheduled slots are made available again. You can check the portal periodically for appointment availability. If your preferred date is unavailable, consider an alternative.
Can a passport appointment be rescheduled?
According to current information from Passport Seva, appointments for standard applications can be rescheduled up to three times. However, the limit for Tatkaal applications is different; according to the official portal, it is restricted to a single rescheduling. Therefore, choose your date carefully when booking the appointment.
What is different about a Tatkaal passport?
If you require a passport urgently, the Tatkaal service is available, though separate fees and eligibility criteria apply. The Passport Seva appointment quota includes both ‘Normal’ and ‘Tatkaal’ options, but the Tatkaal option is exclusively for those applying under the Tatkaal category. Before applying for Tatkaal, be sure to check the current rules and required documents on the official portal.
Conclusion
The process of booking passport appointments and slots can now be largely completed online. First, register on the Passport Seva Portal, then fill out the application for a fresh passport or re-issue. After submitting the application, pay the fee via the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ option and select a slot at a convenient Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) based on your preference.