How to Change Address in Passport Without Mistakes

Changing the address in a passport is done through a reissue request. You must choose change in particulars and fill the online application form without mistakes.

The passport seva system updates the new address after PSK biometric is done. Aadhaar with updated address is the best proof. If details match, the RPO can skip police verification.

If you give a rent agreement or utility bill, extra checks can happen. The Regional Passport Office checks all details before sending your file for printing.

This post explains how to change address in passport, which documents are required, process of address change in passport, how much time it takes, fee to pay, who is eligible for address change, and what can cause delay after submission.

When can you apply for an address change in your passport?

You can apply for address change anytime your address is not correct. The passport must be reissued under change in particulars.

• After a recent residential move
• While passport is still valid
• If Aadhaar card shows new address
• Before expiry or planned travel
• When using Tatkal service for reissue
• During passport renewal for correction
• After marriage or job transfer
• From Passport Seva Kendra or online portal

Your file is checked and accepted under the current address by the Regional Passport Office. The Ministry of External Affairs updates the record after the biometric at PSK.

How to Change Address in Passport Online?

You can change address online through the passport seva portal. This works for both fresh passports and reissue under change in particulars.

Steps to change address in passport online

• Step 1: Go to the official passport seva portal
• Step 2: Register with your name and nearest passport office
• Step 3: Log in with the same ID and password
• Step 4: Open the reissue application form
• Step 5:Select address change as the reason
• Step 6: Fill in new address as per Aadhaar or rent agreement
• Step 7: Choose booklet type and confirm your details
• Step 8: Submit the form and save the application number
• Step 9: Select pay and schedule to book your PSK slot
• Step 10: Choose your preferred Passport Seva Kendra
• Step 11: Complete online payment and download the receipt
• Step 12: Carry print copy of the receipt on appointment day

Your application is sent to the MEA dashboard. The Regional Passport Office reviews the file after biometric is done at PSK.

Offline Process for Address Change in Passport

You can update your address in the passport directly at the Passport Seva Kendra. This method is useful if you prefer offline process or face issues with the passport seva portal. This works through a printed reissue form.

Step 1

Ask for the address change form at Passport Seva Kendra. Or print Form No II from the official website before going.

Step 2

Write the new address clearly. Tick the reason as reissue with change in particulars.

Step 3

Attach address proof like Aadhaar card, rent agreement, or a recent electricity bill. Also give your original passport and self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages.

Step 4

Book a PSK appointment online or go directly. Submit the form and all documents at the front desk.

Step 5

Pay the required fee at the payment counter. You can pay by card or cash.

Step 6

Give your fingerprint and photo for biometric record. Some files are marked for police verification.

Step 7

Collect the receipt with your file number. You can use it to track the status later.

Step 8

If your address is fine and documents are accepted, they print your passport and send it to the new address.

List of Documents Required for Address Change in Passport

You must carry the correct documents while applying for address change in passport. The papers depend on the type of address proof you give. Below is a clear list of documents required for address change in passport for normal, Tatkal, and offline cases.

Basic documents needed for address change

• Old passport in original
• Filled Passport Application Form No II
• Copy of online application with ARN
• Receipt from PSK after appointment booking
• Self-attested copy of first and last two pages
• Copy of ECR or Non-ECR page
• Copy of passport observation page if present
• Copy of validity extension page if passport has short expiry

One address proof document is required

• Aadhaar card with new address
• Voter ID with present address
• Latest electricity bill copy
• Water bill with full address
• Registered rent agreement
• Gas connection proof
• Postpaid mobile or landline bill
• Income Tax Assessment Order
• Employer letter on company letterhead
• Bank passbook from government or private bank

Extra documents for special categories

• Minors must submit Annexure H
• Government staff need employer ID or department letter
• Retired officials can give Pension Payment Order
• If address is same as spouse, submit copy of spouse passport showing family details
• Students staying in hostel need bonafide letter from institution

Carry one original and one clear copy of each document during your PSK visit. Correct documents help avoid delay in address change in passport.

What Is the Fee for Address Change in Passport?

The fee for address change in passport depends on your age, booklet size, and service type. Charges are different for normal and Tatkal reissue under address change. You can pay online through the Passport Seva system or at the counter in Passport Seva Kendra.

Passport Fee for Address Change

You get the payment receipt after online payment or at the PSK counter. Carry this slip with the application form when you visit for biometric and verification. Tatkal passport fee is higher but the file usually moves faster.

The Ministry of External Affairs processes the application after payment confirmation. Make sure you choose the correct fee slab based on your age and booklet type during form submission.

How Long Does It Take to Change Address in Passport?

The time to complete your address change in passport depends on how you apply and what proof you give. Online Tatkal is the fastest. Offline with extra checks may take longer.

The Regional Passport Office clears the file after biometric. Aadhaar with same address helps speed up the process. Final delivery depends on passport dispatch time and file status inside the Passport Seva system.

What Happens After You Submit the Application?

Once you finish your biometric at Passport Seva Kendra, the file is marked complete. It moves to the Regional Passport Office for internal checks. The status will show as a passport application form after submission or file sent to RPO.

If your Aadhaar card has the same address, police verification is usually skipped. If you used a rent agreement or bank passbook, your file may go under verification. To understand this part better, see the section on [Is Police Verification Needed for Address Change].

When the file shows under review, you cannot change any detail. Form edit is locked. After RPO approval, it goes to the printing unit. Passport printing time depends on the queue. Once ready, the Ministry of External Affairs sends it to your updated address.

Things You Must Know Before Changing Address in Passport

You must check a few important points before you start your passport address change. These small details affect how fast your file moves and whether police verification is needed. Missing any of these may lead to delay, rejection, or a restart.

• If your passport expired more than 3 years ago, pre police verification is required
• Address in Jammu and Kashmir always needs pre issue police clearance
• Aadhaar card with correct address speeds up Aadhaar validation at PSK
• Files with mismatch in address proof often get flagged by RPO for manual review
• Once biometric is done, your form is locked and no change is allowed
• Some files move under post issuance check where passport prints before PVR
• You can track your police verification report on the mPassport Police App
• Delays happen when status stays under review due to RPO queue or missing documents

Before applying, match your form with your proof and double check spelling. A small mistake can put your file on hold at Regional Passport Office and increase the passport printing timeline.

Why Passport Address Must Be Updated Safely and Legally?

Your passport address must match your current location and your valid ID. A wrong or outdated address can lead to rejection, legal notice, or delay in visa or police clearance. The passport is not just a travel booklet. It is a legal ID checked by the Ministry of External Affairs, immigration, and local police.

• Any address mismatch may delay printing or cancel your file
• Aadhaar and passport conflict triggers identity mismatch in the PSK record
• Forged rent paper can lead to address proof falsification case
• Police clearance mismatch can stop your file at Regional Passport Office
• Biometric form lock means you cannot change the address after submission
• Using old address at airport may lead to travel document authentication issues

Always use a clear, valid address proof like an Aadhaar card or registered rent agreement. The passport is used for visa stamping and must show the same address you stay at.

How to Fix Mistakes If You Already Submitted the Form

If you filled the form with a wrong address or detail, correction depends on what stage your file is in. You can still change the entry if the passport application is not marked under review.

Go to the View Submitted Applications tab on the Passport Seva Portal. If your biometric is not done yet, click edit application and correct the mistake. If your PSK slot is booked, cancel and reschedule before the date. This is the only way to fix details without reapplying.

Once the biometric is completed, the form is locked. If your file shows address mismatch or fails at police verification, you must submit a new application. Some delays happen when the file is stuck after the Aadhaar mismatch. This is explained further in the section on why passport gets stuck under review after address change.

If rejection comes after police clearance, reapply using fresh details. Only valid proofs and corrected form will help the new file move ahead.

Can I Use Tatkal to Change Address Quickly?

You can use Tatkal passport reissue if your Aadhaar shows the same address. In most cases, police verification is skipped or done after printing. This makes Tatkal a fast address change option.

The application must have no errors. Aadhaar should be active and clear. If there is no mismatch, you may get the appointment the very next day. Tatkal works faster only when documents are valid and uploaded without delay.

If you plan to take this route, make sure the file has no old address or rent proof issues. These cases may shift to normal processing. For full steps, see the section on Tatkal Address Change Process in Passport.

Why Does Your Passport Address Change Get Delayed?

Your passport file can get delayed even after biometric. These delays are not random. They come from mismatch, missing data, or verification issues that block your application at different stages.

• Address in form does not match Aadhaar card or rent proof
• File gets marked under review if police report stays pending
• PSK biometric is done but RPO holds file due to incomplete pages
• Manual hold is placed when reissue file is flagged by verification staff
• Printing not triggered if Aadhaar address validation fails at backend
• Regional Passport Office clears file slower in remote zones or holidays

To avoid delay, check the form twice before submission. Use clean address proof. If biometric is done and nothing moves, track status daily or check why the passport is still not cleared on the portal.

Frequently Asked Question

When should I change the address in my Indian passport?

Anytime your permanent address changes and no longer matches Aadhaar, it should be updated. You do not need to wait for passport expiry. If you apply before the next travel plan, it avoids trouble during police check or visa stamping.

What proof is required for an address change in the passport?

Aadhaar with the new address is best. If not, you can use a voter ID, bank passbook, registered rent agreement, or utility bill. Some use a spouse’s passport if both live at the same address. No digital screenshot, no temporary slip. Just clean, official proof.

Can I update my passport address if I live on rent?

Yes, but the paper must be legal. PSK only accepts a registered rent agreement with full address and your name on it. If the document looks altered or handwritten, your file may go on hold at RPO and move into review without warning.

Is police verification always done in address correction cases?

Not always. If your Aadhaar has the same address and no other mismatch, the file may skip pre-verification and move straight to printing. But if the address is from a rent paper, or the name spelling is off even slightly, a police verification report is raised. In some regions, they print first and send the officer later.

Will the same file be used if I cancel and reapply?

No, once you cancel the slot and resubmit, a fresh reissue form gets created. The old one stays in view-only mode. You cannot use it again. But your ARN may still show in your portal history until cleared from the backend queue.

Can I change my passport address through the Tatkal option?

Yes. If Aadhaar shows the same full address and the form is clean, Tatkal is the fastest path. It skips police visit in most cases. But if your documents raise a flag, Tatkal will drop to normal and follow full verification.

How long does it take to update the address in the passport?

Normal mode takes 20 to 25 working days. Tatkal may clear in 3 or 4 days. But if the file stays under review or police report delays, the passport printing unit may hold it back another week. Aadhaar match helps avoid delay.

Can I apply for address change in passport from outside India?

Yes. You can apply at the Indian embassy or consulate under the reissue category. You must carry address proof valid in the country you live in. They still send the file to the Regional Passport Office in India for processing.

Does it create problems if my address is different in other IDs?

Yes, sometimes. If your Aadhaar, bank passbook, or voter card shows a different address than your passport form, the file may not clear cleanly. During police verification or embassy checks, this mismatch causes hold or follow-up.

What if I selected permanent instead of present address by mistake?

If you catch it before biometric, go to View Submitted Applications and file a new form. Once biometric is done, the form is locked. You will need to cancel and reapply with the correct address type.

Does changing address affect the visa I already have?

No, the visa in your old passport remains valid. You will just carry both passports together after reissue. The visa sticker or stamp stays untouched unless your passport was damaged or replaced due to error.

Will I need to change the passport address again if I move within the same city?

It is not compulsory. But if the door number, flat name, or PIN changes, and you plan to use the passport as address proof, then update it. Otherwise, it stays valid until expiry.

What should I do if my passport file is stuck under review after address change?

First, check if your police verification report shows pending or failed. If yes, contact the local police station or track it through the mPassport App. If it stays stuck beyond 15 working days, raise a query on the PSK portal and apply fresh if no movement happens.

Is there a fine if I skip the update before expiry?

No, there is no fine. But if the address on record is outdated when you go for a reissue, your file may get rejected for inconsistency. Always update before your next visa, not just before expiry.