Passport Number and File Number on Indian Passports

Indian passports contain specific codes for identification. The primary identifier is the passport number, a unique code for each passport holder. There is also a file number for internal tracking of your application. Indian passports do not include any separate passport book number at all. Each Indian passport relies on its passport number and file number as identifiers.

Takeaways:

• Passport Number: An 8-character code (e.g. one letter and seven digits) is the main identification for your passport. Use this for all travel bookings, visa applications, and official documents.

• No Booklet Number: Indian passports do not have a passport book number. Any form asking for one expects you to leave it blank or select “Not Applicable” if you hold an Indian passport.

• File Number (Internal Use): The 12-character file number on the last page is for tracking your passport application and record within India. It’s not used as a travel ID and should not be entered on international forms in place of a passport number.

• Double-Check Details: Always fill in your passport number carefully on forms. If a field doesn’t apply (for example, passport book number), don’t try to force an entry – follow official guidance or leave it blank to avoid errors

Passport Number vs. Passport Book Number

The passport number is the primary identification code on your Indian passport. It appears on the first page and is used for all official purposes. A “passport book number” is a code some countries use to track the physical passport booklet. India does not use a passport book number.

Many nations have no booklet number on passports. For example, passports from India, Austria, and the UK do not include a book number. A few countries, like the United States and some European nations, print an inventory control number (booklet number) in their passports.

Indian authorities chose not to add an extra number. The absence of a book number does not affect travel, your eight-character passport number is sufficient for all identification needs.

Locating Your Passport Number and File Number

Bio-data page of an Indian passport. The passport number (blurred here) is printed at the top under “Passport No.” and is the main identifier. The file number is printed on the last page of the passport.

It is easy to find your passport number in your Indian passport. Open the booklet to the first page that has your photo and personal details. In the top right corner of that page, you will see the label “Passport No.” with an 8-character code next to it – that is your passport number. It typically consists of one or two letters and six or seven digits (for example, “K1234567”).

Now flip to the very last page of your passport. At the bottom of that page, you will find the label “File No.” with a longer alphanumeric code next to it. That code is the passport file number. For example, it could look like “A0123456789” – a mix of letters and numbers. The file number is not used as a travel ID, but you might need it to track your passport application or when renewing your passport.

Note: There is no “passport book number” printed anywhere in an Indian passport. If you are searching for a passport book number, you won’t find one – the Indian passport only shows the passport number and the file number.

Why Indian Passports Don’t Have a Book Number

Indian authorities deliberately designed passports without a passport book number. International standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) allow some flexibility in numbering systems for passports. Including a booklet number is optional. India’s passport system uses two identifiers – the passport number (to identify the document and holder) and the file number (to track the application process) – and nothing more.

This omission does not impact security or usability. The passport’s machine-readable zone (MRZ) and the passport number itself already contain all necessary information.

The passport number is unique to you, and immigration officers and systems use it to verify your identity. The file number helps passport offices inside India, but it’s not used internationally. A separate booklet serial number is not necessary for Indian passports, which keeps things straightforward for travelers.

When a Form Asks for “Passport Book Number”

Sometimes, visa application forms or travel websites will ask for a “Passport Book Number.” For example, the U.S. DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form includes a field for Passport Book Number. If you have an Indian passport and you encounter a field like this, the correct approach is to select “Does Not Apply” or “Not Applicable”.

For Indian passport holders, you should not type anything in that space unless the form absolutely requires an entry. In the DS-160 form, for instance, Indian citizens should mark that field as not applicable.

The U.S. visa guidelines note that the “passport book number” is essentially an inventory number which many countries (not India) include in their passports. Other countries’ visa systems, such as Canada’s, follow a similar understanding – they know Indian passports don’t have this number, so leaving it blank or N/A is acceptable.

Do not invent or improvise a number. A mistake some travelers make is trying to provide a number in that field, such as reusing their passport number or file number. This is wrong and can cause errors.

Never write your Indian passport’s file number or repeat the passport number in a “passport book number” field. If the system won’t let you proceed without filling something, check the form’s instructions or help section – most likely, it will tell you to input “N/A” or allow you to skip it. When in doubt, consult the official guidance of that country’s immigration authority.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced travelers can get confused by the different numbers related to passports. Here are some common mistakes to avoid with Indian passport numbers, and how to prevent them:

• Using the File Number as a Book Number: Because the file number is printed in the passport, some assume it’s an official travel ID. It is not. The file number is only for tracking your application in India. Entering this on a foreign form where a book number is asked can lead to errors or even rejection of your application. Always leave the passport book number field blank or select “Not Applicable” for Indian passports.

• Mixing Up Passport Number Characters: Your passport number is alphanumeric. Be careful when copying it into visa forms or flight bookings. For example, “0” (zero) can be mistaken for “O” (the letter O). Always double-check each character. A single wrong digit or letter can invalidate your travel booking or visa application.

• Not Double-Checking Forms: It’s easy to mistype your passport number or expiry date. Always review every form carefully against your actual passport book before submitting. If possible, have someone else cross-verify the entered number as well. Catching a mistake early can save a lot of trouble later.

• Forcing an Answer on “Book Number”: If an online form doesn’t allow blank inputs, you might be tempted to enter something random. Don’t do that. Providing incorrect information can slow down processing or even lead to a denia. Instead, refer to official instructions or contact customer support for that application. Most systems are aware that not all passports have a book number and will either hide the field or allow an “N/A” response.

Stay attentive and follow official guidelines to avoid these pitfalls. Always remember that for Indian passports, the passport number is your primary (and only) travel identification number that you need to use.

E-Passports and Numbering (Digital vs. Physical)

India has started issuing new biometric passports (e-passports) that include an electronic chip. These passports look slightly different and have advanced security features, but they do not introduce any new kind of passport number. Your e-passport will still have a passport number in the same place as before – and still no passport book number.

One change with the latest passports is the format of the passport number itself. Older Indian passports had one letter and seven digits (like A1234567). The new e-passports issued in 2025 may have two letters and six digits now (for example, AB123456), instead of one letter and 7 digits.

In both cases, the passport number is still eight characters long. This format update increases the pool of unique numbers, but for travelers it works the same way. You will find the passport number on the bio-data page, and it remains the key identifier for the document.

The embedded microchip in the e-passport stores your personal data, including the passport number and biometric info. It allows quick scanning at airports and adds security against forgery. Importantly, even with this digital upgrade, Indian e-passports do not have a “passport book number” – they continue to use the passport number as the sole document ID.

If you renew an old passport and receive a new e-passport, you will still use the passport number as before, and you will leave any “passport book number” fields empty on forms (just as you do now).

Existing non-chip passports remain valid until their expiry date. So, whether you have the older passport or the new e-passport, the guidance is the same: use your passport number for all identification, and remember there is no additional book number.

FAQs

1. Does an Indian passport have a passport book number?

No. Indian passports have a passport number (the 8-character code on the identity page) but they do not have a separate passport book number. The concept of a passport book number is not used in India’s passport system. If a form asks for it, you can select “Does Not Apply.”

2. What is the difference between a passport number and a passport book number?

A passport number is the primary identifier printed on your passport and used for travel. A passport book number is an additional serial number on the passport booklet that some countries use for inventory control. India does not issue a passport book number. For Indian passports, your passport number is the only number you need to provide for identification.

3. Is the passport book number the same as the file number on Indian passports?

No, they are not the same. The file number is a 12-character code on the last page of your Indian passport used for application tracking and status checks. It is not recognized internationally as a passport ID. Indian passports have no “passport book number,” so nothing in your passport needs to be entered into a book number field. In short, the file number helps with status tracking in India, while the passport number is what identifies your passport globally.

4. How do I fill the “passport book number” field in the DS-160 form for a US visa?

If you have an Indian passport, select “Does Not Apply” for the passport book number question on the DS-160 form. The U.S. visa application system is aware that Indian passports don’t have a book number. Do not put your passport number or file number in that field. Instead, simply leave it blank or mark it as not applicable, as instructed.

5. Have Indian e-passports changed the passport number or added a book number?

Indian e-passports introduced in 2025 still use the same passport numbering system as before. The format may have two letters and six digits now (instead of one letter and seven digits), but it remains an 8-character passport number. No new “passport book number” has been added – the e-passports continue to have just the passport number and the file number, with no separate booklet ID.

Disclaimer: This article shares general information drawn from official Indian passport resources and trusted international travel documentation standards. It does not replace instructions from the Ministry of External Affairs, Passport Seva Kendra, Indian missions abroad, or foreign immigration authorities. Always review your own passport pages and follow official portal guidance when completing visa forms or travel applications.