How to Renew Indian Passport Step By Step

Most people think passport renewal is quick until the file shows police steps or Aadhaar mismatch. The rules look simple but depend on changes in your name, address, or ID proof.

If you are wondering how to renew Indian passport without delay, it begins with the online form. You match your Aadhaar, upload valid ID, pay the application fee, and book your PSK appointment.

If your details match old records, the file may skip police verification. But expired passport renewal, address updates, or photo change can slow it down.

Track your file with the application number through the Passport Seva portal. The Regional Passport Office checks each entry before sending it to print.

This guide breaks the full Indian passport renewal process into simple steps you can follow.

Who is Eligible to Renew an Indian passport?

You can apply for passport renewal if your current passport is valid or already expired. Renewal is allowed for all Indian citizens with proper documents.If you update your name, address, or photo, you may need extra forms like Annexure F.

If the passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you may need to file a fresh passport application instead.

People living in India or abroad can apply through the Passport Seva official portal. The Aadhaar card must match your new application, or it may go for police verification.

If your old file has no issues, the Regional Passport Office may approve it without delay. Renewal is open to adults, minors, and senior citizens with valid Indian passport records.

When to apply for passport renewal in India?

An Indian citizen can apply for passport renewal with a valid passport. You can renew 9 to 12 months before it expires. Applying early helps avoid slot delays, last-minute verification, or rejection due to document mismatch.

If your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, do not wait. Apply for a new passport with supporting ID and address proof. These cases often go for police verification and document checks.

You must also apply fresh if you are changing your name, address, or personal details. Submit correct forms, valid Annexure, and Aadhaar with the updated information.

What documents are required for Indian passport renewal

You must carry the right documents to avoid rejection at the Passport Seva Kendra. The checklist may vary if details have changed, but the basic renewal requirements remain the same.

• Aadhaar card
• address proof
• identity proof
• old passport
• recent colour photograph
• self-attested copy of documents
• renewal application form
• Annexure F (if details are changed)
• date of birth certificate (if not in Aadhaar)
• name change proof (if updated)
• marriage certificate (if surname changed)

Carry originals along with copies. Your next step is submission and biometric at PSK.

How to renew Indian passport online step by step

Renewing an Indian passport online is a clear process when documents match and details are correct. You begin with the Passport Seva portal, fill the form, and follow each step until your file moves to printing.

Make sure your Aadhaar card, photo, and ID proof are ready before you start the online application.

Let us now walk through each step in the passport renewal process, from form fill to biometric and final file number tracking.

Step 1: Fill online form on Passport Seva website

Start your Indian passport renewal by visiting the Passport Seva website. Create a new user ID if this is your first time. Choose the correct application form for renewal, not a fresh issue.

The online form asks for your personal details, Aadhaar card number, and old passport number. Fill everything exactly as it appears on your ID. One mismatch can delay your file later.

Save your form. Continue only after checking every field. If your Aadhaar address is different from the form, the system may ask for Annexure F. Complete the application and note down your file number.

This file number helps track your application after submission.

Step 2: Pay renewal fees online

Once the form is filled, move to the payment section on the Passport Seva portal. Choose online payment to complete the process quickly. The passport renewal fee depends on your service type and booklet pages.

Here is the standard fee structure:

Pay with credit card, debit card, or net banking. Once payment is done, the receipt shows your application reference number. Keep this receipt safe to track your status.

Step 3: Book appointment slot at Passport Seva Kendra

After payment, you will see available appointment slots on the Passport Seva portal. Choose a nearby Passport Seva Kendra and select the earliest date shown. Slots may fill fast, especially during holidays or peak seasons.

Your biometric date depends on the PSK appointment you confirm. The system links your slot with your file number. If your Aadhaar has mismatched details, only limited PSKs may appear in the list.

Once booked, a confirmation slip is generated. Download it immediately. You will need to show this during your visit.

Step 4: Visit PSK and complete biometric

Reach the Passport Seva Kendra on time with your documents and confirmation slip. Show your file number and appointment receipt at the entrance. A staff member will guide you to the token counter.

Inside, you will go through three stages. First is document check. Then comes biometric submission for fingerprints and photo.

Last, you meet the officer who verifies your Aadhaar card, passport copy, and application details. Once cleared, your file is submitted to the system and sent for review. Keep your receipt. You will need it to track your file later.

Step 5: Submit documents at the counter

At the final counter, the officer checks your documents one by one. Hand over your Aadhaar card, old passport booklet, and a self-attested copy of each form. If you updated any detail, Annexure F must be submitted along with proof.

The officer will match your ID proof with the form you filled online. Make sure names, numbers, and signatures are the same across all documents.

A small mismatch can stop your file or send it back for correction. Once cleared, your document set is scanned and attached to your Indian passport renewal file.

Step 6: Track your file status online

After your documents are submitted, use the Passport Seva portal to track your passport renewal status. You can log in with your file number or ARN and date of birth. The portal shows each update as your file moves through the process.

Watch for status terms like under review, police verification, sent for printing, or dispatched. These updates are shared by the Regional Passport Office once your application is reviewed. If nothing changes for several days, contact the helpline or visit your PSK for help.

Keep checking every few days until your passport is delivered.

Which is better Tatkaal or Normal passport renewal

The choice between Tatkaal and Normal passport renewal depends on how quickly you need the passport and how clean your documents are. Tatkaal passport works better when there are no changes and all details match. Normal passport renewal suits those with flexible timelines or minor updates in address or photo.

Here is a quick comparison to help you decide:

If your file has no mismatch and your need is urgent, Tatkaal passport can be a faster service. For others, Normal passport renewal is more suitable and cost-effective.

When police verification happens during renewal

Police verification is not required for every Indian passport renewal. If your address, name, and photo are the same, the file may go directly to printing. But if your Aadhaar has mismatched details or your address has changed, the system sends the file for review.

Name update, expired passport, or Annexure missing are also common reasons for verification. In some Tatkaal cases, police steps happen after printing as post verification.

The Regional Passport Office checks the file and decides when verification is needed. You may get a home visit, a phone call, or just a portal update showing the file under review.

What mistakes do you need to avoid during passport renewal?

You follow the steps. Upload Aadhaar. Scan your old passport. Done. But then nothing moves. The file shows under review. No update. No dispatch. That is how most delays begin — not with a big mistake, but a small one.

• Aadhaar does not match the form
• Photo is wrong size or low quality
• Annexure F is unsigned or missing
• Address proof does not match other IDs
• Name change has no legal document
• ID is expired or not self-attested
• File stuck at Regional Passport Office
• Police cannot contact you by phone
• Form has errors in name or numbers
• Biometric is unclear or not captured properly

You do not get a second try at this stage. Check it all before they lock your file.

Final tips to renew passport smoothly

Nobody wants to visit PSK twice for one renewal. To avoid it, focus on one thing: clarity. Clear forms, readable documents, and matched Aadhaar save more time than anything else.

The Passport Seva portal shows where your file is. Use your ARN or file number to check daily. If police verification is pending, do not switch off your phone. One missed call can pause the entire process.

Be early. Be prepared. Once your file moves cleanly, it reaches your door without trouble.