File Number in Indian Passport: What It Is and Where to Find It?

The file number in Indian passport is a unique 12-character alphanumeric code printed on the last page of your passport booklet. It is also known as the passport reference number and is linked to your application receipt. This number is created when your form is submitted and payment is made.

It is used by the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and Regional Passport Office (RPO) to track your file, verify your identity during police check, check your application status, and pull your records if you contact support. It is not your passport number. That is used for travel. The file number is part of the internal passport processing system and should be noted carefully.

In this post, you will learn where to find the file number, how it is used, what it looks like, how to recover it if lost, and how it helps you track your passport application.

What is the File Number in an Indian Passport?

The file number in Indian passport is a system-generated 12-character alphanumeric code created when your passport application is accepted. It is not printed on the photo page and is not used for travel. It is part of the internal passport processing system.

This number is assigned by the Passport Issuing Authority after your application form is submitted and payment is confirmed. It becomes your official passport reference number, also called PRFN. You may find this code on your application receipt even before your passport is printed.

It is not the same as the passport number. The passport number identifies the booklet. The file number identifies the application file inside the Passport Seva system.

This code helps the system track your file, link it to your police report, and store it in the passport database. Every time you check your application status or speak to the RPO or PSK, this number helps staff pull up your file without delay.

Why the Passport File Number is Important

The file number in the Indian passport links your application to every step in the passport process. It is created when your form is submitted and used until the passport is delivered. This number connects your file to the Passport Seva system, police check, printing unit, and support team.

It is needed when checking application updates, verifying file status, or contacting the Regional Passport Office (RPO) or Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Without this number, the system cannot fetch your file directly.

You will need the file number to:

• Track passport application on official portal
• Match details during police verification
• Share with RPO for any status issue
• Reprint lost receipt or fetch file copy
• Find older file linked to renewal cases
• Confirm updates in printing or dispatch
• Pull application from large name database
• Speed up support at PSK or RPO counter
• Avoid mix-up if names or dates match
• Store file ID in your own records

The file number is not reused. Each passport file gets a fresh number. Still, older numbers stay in the database for record checks. Keep it safe till your passport reaches your hand.

Where is the File Number Located in an Indian Passport

An Indian passport file number is printed on the last page of your passport booklet, usually at the bottom. You will see it next to the label File No., written in clear text, not hidden in any barcode.

This number is a 12-character alphanumeric code, like DELH25001234 or MUMB21004239. It appears just below your address section.

If your passport is not yet delivered, the same number is shown on your application acknowledgement receipt. You will find it in the printout or the email sent after submission. It may be labelled as passport reference number or File No. in that message.

This is not the same as the passport number, which is on the photo page. Both are separate. The file number is only for the passport tracking system and is used for updates, support, and police checks. Keep it saved till your passport is delivered.

How to Find the File Number in Your Passport

You can find the passport file number in two places. If you already have your passport, open it to the last page. The code is printed at the bottom next to File No. It is a 12-character mix of letters and numbers. This is your passport reference code.

If your passport is not yet delivered, check the application receipt slip or the acknowledgement email from the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). This document shows the same file number under labels like File No. or Passport Reference Number.

Keep a copy of either the last passport page or your receipt. This code is needed to track your application and link it to your identity during verification.

What to Do If You Lost It

Login to the Passport Seva portal and open your submitted application details. The file number will appear with your name, date, and ARN. If you cannot log in, contact your Regional Passport Office (RPO) or visit the same PSK where you applied.

If all else fails, the portal also allows passport status tracking using your name, date of birth, or mobile number. But recovering the file number is still better.

Save it safely until your passport arrives.

What Does the Passport File Number Look Like

Every passport file number format is a 12-character code with three parts. It is not a random number. Each part shows where and when your passport application was made.

The first few letters are the passport office code. These show the Regional Passport Office that handled your form. For example:

• DELH stands for Delhi
• MUMB is Mumbai
• CHEN means Chennai

This code helps group your file by location.

Next is a two-digit year. This shows the year you applied. If you submitted your form in 2025, the file number will include 25 right after the office code.

The last six digits are a serial number. It is assigned in order. If your number ends in 004239, it means your application was the 4,239th one in that office for that year.

For example:

• MUMB21004239 → Mumbai office, 2021, file 004239
• DELH25012345 → Delhi office, 2025, file 012345

The full file number helps the passport system sort files correctly across offices, years, and queue numbers. It is only used inside the system for tracking and matching your application.

Passport Number vs File Number in Indian Passport

Both numbers are printed inside your Indian passport, but they are not the same. The passport number is your official travel ID. The file number is your application reference code used during the passport process.

The passport number is printed on the first page, the one with your photo. It is used when you book flights, apply for visas, or go through immigration.

The file number is printed on the last page. It is used only inside the Passport Seva system. It helps the Regional Passport Office (RPO) and PSK track your application and link it to police verification or support cases.

Both numbers follow different formats. The passport number is short. The file number is longer and follows a fixed format linked to your city, year, and serial.

Never enter the file number where a passport number is asked. Both are important but are used in different places for different purposes.

How to Use the File Number to Track Your Passport Application

Your passport file number is the main ID used to check your passport status online. Once your form is submitted and fee is paid, you can track updates from submission to dispatch using the official system.

To check status, follow these steps:

• Go to the Passport Seva tracking page
• Select Track Application Status from the menu
• Enter your 12-character file number
• Fill your date of birth as per records
• Click submit to see the latest update

The system will show messages like:

• Passport under review by RPO
• Police report received by PSK
• Passport sent for printing
• Dispatched through speed post

If your file number is lost, you can:

• Track using your application reference number (ARN)
• Use your full name, mobile, and date of birth
• Check using old passport number if reissuing

Tracking works only while your file is active. Once your passport is delivered, the record closes in the system. File numbers are not reused, and you will get a new one for each fresh application.

Tips for Managing Your Passport File Number

The passport file number connects your application to the full passport process. Keeping it safe avoids confusion during police checks, tracking, and renewal.

• Write it on paper and save a copy
• Keep a photo of your passport’s last page
• Cross-check with the receipt or email printout
• Never give the number on social media
• Only give it to PSK or police, not strangers
• Use the official passportindia.gov.in site only
• Do not track using random websites
• Check the printed number once you get the passport
• If it is unclear or smudged, report to RPO
• Do not use old file number for new forms
• Save the old number for record, not reuse
• Carry it when you visit PSK for help

Treat it like a reference, not a password. It is not sensitive, but still personal. If it is stored well, your file will be easier to locate during checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can passport status be checked without a file number?

Yes, you can check the status using your mobile number, date of birth, or application reference number (ARN) on the Passport Seva website. These alternate fields work for basic tracking, but the file number gives faster access to full updates.

Will a renewed passport have a new file number?

Every application creates a new file number. Whether it is a fresh issue or reissue, the code is always different. Your previous file number stays in the database but is not reused in the next passport.

Is ARN the same as file number?

In most cases, yes. The ARN and file number refer to the same code. Some forms may show ARN at the start, and then it appears later as the file number. It is one code used across your entire passport application.

Should the passport file number be kept private?

It is not highly sensitive like a PIN, but you should not share it publicly. Keep it limited to passport office use, police verification, or when asked on the official Gov.in portal.

Is the passport file number used for visa or travel?

No. Embassies, airlines, and visa forms ask for your passport number, not the file number. The file number is used only within the Indian passport system during processing.

Do all passports have a file number printed

Yes. If your passport was issued after 2000 under the current system, the last page will show your file number. Older booklets may vary, but recent passports include it by default.

Can file number be found using passport number?

Not directly. There is no public tool that converts passport number to file number. You must log in to the Passport Seva portal or contact the RPO to retrieve the file details using your application data.

What if the printed passport file number is unclear?

If the number on the last page is faded or smudged, refer to your receipt or confirmation email. If it is missing completely, contact the Regional Passport Office. They can verify it and issue a correction if needed.

Will passport be delayed if the file number is lost?

No. Your application stays active in the passport system. Even if you lose the number, the RPO can access your file using your name or date of birth. You will just not be able to check status yourself.

When do I get the passport file number after applying?

It is generated on the same day. Once your application is submitted and payment is confirmed, the system assigns the number. You will see it on the receipt at PSK or in the email confirmation if you applied online.

Conclusion

The passport file number is a unique 12-character code that connects your application to the entire passport process. It appears on your receipt and the last page of your passport. You use it for tracking, police verification, and support at PSK or RPO. It is not used for travel, but without it, your file cannot move through the system smoothly. Always keep it safe until your passport is in hand.