Passport Renewal Services
Have you ever wondered if your passport number changes when you renew it in India? Many people are unsure about what happens to their passport details during the renewal process.
In India, renewing your passport is a common process, your current passport is about to expire or has expired.
When you go through the passport renewal process in India, you will receive a new passport booklet, but the passport number remains the same.
But the question is does passport number change when renewed? No, your passport number does not change when you renew your passport.
We’ll explain exactly what happens to your passport number during renewal and why it remains the same unless certain conditions, like passport damage or a name change, apply.
Why Does the Passport Number Stay the Same?
You might think that renewing your passport means starting fresh. New booklet, new photo, new number. But that is not how it works in India.
When you apply for a passport renewal, the number does not change. Yes, the booklet is replaced. Yes, the pages are clean. But the number printed on top remains exactly the same as before.
Why? Because your passport is not treated as new. It is linked to your original record. The renewal just updates your validity, not your identity.
Now here is the thing people miss. Your passport number is tied to your national record inside the MEA system. Changing it without a strong reason would break every link—your visa history, your travel logs, your police verification. That is why they keep it the same. It protects your identity thread.
The only time they give you a new number is when the system has to treat it as a fresh case. Like when the booklet is damaged beyond use. Or you lost it and filed an FIR. Or when your name changes legally due to marriage or court affidavit.
In most cases, renewing your passport doesn’t require a change in number, ensuring the passport records remain consistent. Only in specific situations like passport damage, loss, or name changes does the number get updated.
When Does the Passport Number Change?
In India, the passport number is changed only in certain situations. These are cases where the passport is renewed based on certain life situations or changes. Here’s when your passport number will be changed:
- Passport Is Lost: In case your passport is lost, you should immediately report the loss to Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and the Regional Passport Office (RPO). On reporting, you can apply for a new passport, and your new passport number is assigned. Your existing passport number is invalidated.
- Passport Is Damaged: when your passport is damaged to the point where it is no longer usable, you will need to apply for a replacement passport. The damaged passport is not valid anymore, and thus, a new passport number is issued. This change ensures that your official identity remains intact with the new passport, linking it to your updated passport file.
- Name Change: If you legally change your name, whether due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason, you can apply to update your passport with the new name. When the name change is approved, you will receive a new passport with a new passport number. This ensures your identity records are updated and consistent with your official documents.
What the RPO and PSK Actually Do With Your File During Renewal
When you submit your passport renewal form at PSK, they check three things first. Your old passport, your Aadhaar card, and your biometric match. If any one does not match, the file gets stuck. This is common when your Aadhaar does not have a surname or when your old signature does not match the new one.
Once verified, the PSK forwards your file to the RPO. This part is digital, but the review is manual. The RPO team checks your address, photo clarity, and police record status. If all is fine, they approve the file and mark it for printing.
If anything is missing, like Annexure F or a blurred signature, the RPO does not approve it. Your file goes on hold, and the passport portal shows under review or RPO hold.
Once approved, the RPO sends it to the printing unit. The file is tagged as a passport sent for printing. You will get a message with dispatch details soon after.
In most renewal cases, the passport number stays the same. The file is linked to your old passport. A new number is only given if the old one is flagged, the booklet is damaged, or there is a legal name change.
How to Check If Your Passport Number Has Changed
You can check your passport number in three clear ways.
Check the First Page of Your New Passport
When the passport is delivered, open the booklet. Look at the top right of page one. That is your new passport number. Compare it with your old booklet. If the number is different, your file was reissued.
Track on the Indian Passport Status Portal
Visit passportindia.gov.in. Use your ARN or file number to check status. If it says reissue or shows a new passport number issued, your number has changed. If it shows renewal approved, the number is the same.
Check SMS or Email From Passport Seva Kendra
The dispatch SMS from RPO or PSK includes the passport number or the last four digits. Match it with your old one. If the digits are different, it is a new number.
Call the Helpline or Visit PSK Helpdesk
Call 1800 258 1800 and ask about your passport status. You can also ask directly at the PSK help counter. They will tell you if your file was renewed or reissued.
If your case was a renewal with no change in name or ID, your number stays the same. If it was a reissue due to damage, loss, or change in personal details, the passport number is new.
What to Do If You Got a New Passport Number After Reissue
If your passport number has changed after reissue, you need to update it everywhere the old one was used. This is important for your identity match. Any mismatch can cause hold-ups during travel, banking, or document checks.
Visa Forms and Travel Bookings
Applied for a visa before your passport changed? The embassy still holds the old number. Open their portal. Look for edit options or resubmit your details. If the consulate asks for a written note, attach a scan of the new passport front page.
Booked a ticket? Airlines often print the passport number on the e-ticket. If that number is old, call customer care and get it changed. Do not assume check-in will fix it.
Bank KYC Records
Banks in India store your passport under KYC. If your number changed, your old record is now out of sync. Go to the branch with both passports and fill the KYC correction slip. Many private banks in Delhi ask for a self-attested copy of the new one.
If you delay, your bank may send a soft warning, or worse, pause your online access.
Aadhaar and PAN, If Previously Linked
A few people link passport numbers in Aadhaar or PAN forms. It is optional, but once done, the link remains. If your new passport has a different number, update the Aadhaar database. Same for PAN. This helps when your PAN is used for visa or tax proofs abroad.
FRRO Record, If You Are a Foreigner in India
Foreign nationals living in India must update their passport with FRRO. If you got a new booklet, visit the local FRRO office and give a fresh copy. This keeps your stay legal and your visa record clean. Do not skip this if your passport was lost or reissued.
Inform Employer or Consultant (If Planning to Travel)
If your employer, agency, or consultant saved your passport for job or visa filing, send them your new number now. They may need to revise forms, redo bookings, or even revalidate your ID in the system. Many Indian consultants match everything with a passport number. A mismatch can delay your joining.
Keep both booklets. Never throw the old one. Many places still ask for the cancelled one during ID checks or embassy interviews. If you have both, you have proof. If not, questions follow.
FAQ’s
Can I renew my Indian passport before it expires?
Yes, you can. In India, you can renew your passport up to one year before it expires. If your passport has less than six months validity and you plan to travel, apply early. The passport number stays the same unless you lost the booklet or changed your name.
Is a passport number linked to an Aadhaar card in India?
No, your passport number is not linked to Aadhaar by default. But if you gave it during Aadhaar update or used it for PAN, it stays in the UIDAI record. Still, passport and Aadhaar are not officially linked unless you submitted both together.
How long does passport renewal take in India?
Passport renewal takes about 7 to 10 working days under normal mode. Tatkal renewals take 1 to 3 days. Time may increase if police verification is needed again or if your Aadhaar and old passport do not match. Track updates on the passport portal using your ARN.
Will a visa get rejected if the passport number changed after approval?
Yes, it can cause issues if your visa was approved with your old passport number. Many embassies link the visa to the passport number. If the number changes after visa approval, inform the embassy or resubmit the passport page scan. Do not travel without updating it.
Do children get new passport numbers when renewed?
Yes, every renewed passport gets a new number for children in India. Even if nothing else changes, the passport booklet is treated as fresh. The number will not carry forward. Keep both old and new booklets safe for school, visa, and ID records.
