How To Change Regional Passport Office in Passport Application?

Moved to a new city and your passport file still goes to the old office? That blocks the whole process. The RPO decides where your file is sent, which police station verifies it, and where printing happens. If the wrong Regional Passport Office shows in your form, delays hit from the start.

In many cases, PSK does not show slots for your area. Or you pick the nearest option, but later the system rejects it because the pin code falls under another RPO. This mismatch triggers status errors like under review, police verification not started, or file stuck.

The good part? You can fix this if the timing is right. Before biometric or final submission, Passport Seva portal gives an option to change Regional Passport Office. But the moment you cross that step, you may need to cancel and reapply with the correct RPO selected.

Aadhaar address, PIN coverage, and PSK selection all must match the Regional Passport Office you choose. If not, the file stays pending even after payment. The Ministry of External Affairs allows RPO change only at certain stages, so it is better to catch the mistake early.

This guide explains how to change RPO in passport application without wasting time or losing your slot. You will see what errors to avoid, how to rebook the appointment, and when to contact your local RPO directly if the portal blocks your update.

What is the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Passport?

Every passport file in India is linked to a Regional Passport Office. This RPO is not the place where you go for biometric. That location is called Passport Seva Kendra. The RPO works behind the system. It decides which police station checks your address, where your file gets printed, and which PSK gives you the slot.

Each city and pin code belongs to a fixed RPO. Even if two PSKs are nearby, your Aadhaar pin decides which RPO handles your case. The passport system checks that in the background. So if the RPO selected does not match your address or PIN, errors begin from step one.

People often get confused between RPO and PSK. PSK is where you go. RPO is where your file travels after you submit documents. Once that link is broken or wrongly set, your file may not move at all. Police verification stalls, or the application status stays stuck under review.

The Ministry of External Affairs runs these RPOs. They handle printing, checking, and final approval. Your Application Reference Number connects all of this. If RPO allocation mismatches your Aadhaar address, your file may loop back to correction.

How Many Types of Passport Offices in India

Every step in your passport file goes through a different office. One collects documents. One verifies your address. One prints the passport. If any part goes to the wrong office, your file may stay stuck.

That is why it is important to know how many types of passport offices in India handle your application.

Some offices are public-facing like PSK. Others, like RPO, work behind the system. Each one controls a different part of your file journey. Below is a clear breakdown of all types and what they do.

Passport Seva Kendra where most people visit for biometrics

This is the centre where you submit your form, give biometrics, and hand over documents. It does not issue your passport. It only collects and forwards the file. PSK is linked to your area through RPO mapping. If your Aadhaar pin code does not match the RPO, your PSK slot may not appear.

Tatkal and normal appointments both happen here. Once your file is verified, PSK gives an acknowledgment slip. That triggers updates like file sent to RPO or police verification.

Regional Passport Office that controls the backend and printing

RPO never meets you. It works behind the scenes. Every file moves from PSK to the RPO. This is where police reports get reviewed, address changes are checked, and passport printing is approved.

One RPO covers multiple cities. Your pin code decides which one controls your file. If the RPO does not match your Aadhaar, the application can stay stuck or fail. Nothing prints until the RPO clears it.

Post Office Passport Seva Kendra for small city applications

These are smaller centres inside post offices, mostly in rural and small towns. POPSKs take your biometrics and documents, just like a PSK. The flow stays the same, but with fewer crowds and local access.

They do not handle complex files or print passports. After submission, your file moves to the linked RPO for verification and processing.

Passport Application Collection Centres for NRIs and special zones

These centres do not take biometrics. They only collect forms, documents, and payment. After that, they forward everything to the nearest PSK or RPO. You will find them in Indian embassies abroad or in outsourced centres.

They are mostly used by NRIs or special zone applicants. These offices cannot process Tatkal or normal slots. They are for submission only. All updates come later through the regular Indian passport system.

When you can change the RPO in passport

Changing the Regional Passport Office is possible, but only in specific stages. If you miss the window, the file gets locked. This timing decides whether you can update RPO or start fresh.

If you have not submitted documents yet

This is the best time to correct the RPO. If you picked the wrong office during online form fill, you can login to the Passport Seva Portal, open your Application Reference Number, and select Modify Submitted Form. The RPO dropdown becomes active only before the biometric is done.

• Login and click Modify Submitted Form
• Select the correct RPO from the dropdown
• Save changes and generate new ARN
• Book a new PSK slot linked to RPO
• Aadhaar pin must match selected RPO
• No need to repay if payment done
• Police verification not started yet
• File not linked to printing system

After submission but before police check

If the biometric is already done but police verification has not started, you may still get a chance. This is rare. You need to raise a grievance online or visit PSK with a fresh form. In some cases, RPO allows correction before it pushes the file to police.

• Raise online grievance with correct RPO details
• Carry new form to PSK if portal blocks edit
• Police report status must show not yet started
• Wait for response from RPO authority
• Carry Aadhaar with updated address
• Portal may not show Modify option
• Slot refund not possible after biometric
• No slot rebooking from same ARN

After police check but passport not printed yet

This is the most unstable stage. Your file has already reached the RPO. If you try to change it now, the system usually blocks it. Only the RPO has authority to hold or cancel the file. You will likely need to cancel and reapply from the beginning.

• File linked to police report and RPO already
• Change not allowed through portal anymore
• Raise request but chance of update is low
• No refund of old payment or slot
• Application status may stay stuck
• Printing unit already pre-linked
• Old ARN cannot be reused
• Fresh application with new RPO is faster

Passport already printed? You cannot change RPO

Once the passport is printed, your RPO is fixed. You cannot edit it unless you file for reissue. The only way to move to another RPO is to apply again with updated Aadhaar and correct pin code under the new city or state.

• Passport already printed under old RPO
• Change only possible with reissue form
• Aadhaar must show new address clearly
• No changes allowed in existing passport
• PSK will redirect you to new RPO for reissue
• File is locked in system forever
• Printing record already saved
• Apply fresh under correct RPO mapping

Timing decides everything when it comes to RPO change. Once the file moves past the biometric or police stage, control shifts fully to the backend. If you are still early in the process, act fast. Check your Aadhaar pin, match the RPO, and fix the file before it goes further.

How to Change the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Your Passport?

Your passport file is locked to one Regional Passport Office based on your address. If you move to a new city, the old RPO may no longer match. This mismatch can block slot booking, delay police checks, or keep your file stuck in review.

The only way to change your RPO is through a reissue request with updated address details. Once the new pin code is entered, the system maps your application to the correct RPO based on location.

Step #1 Collect the right documents first

Start with your current passport and one valid address proof that matches your new residence. This can be Aadhaar, electricity bill, bank passbook, or rent agreement. If the address falls under a new RPO, the system will map it automatically during reissue.

Step #2 Login to Passport Seva Portal and choose reissue

Open the official Passport Seva Portal. Login with your existing user ID. On the homepage, choose “Apply for Reissue of Passport.” Select the reason as “Change of Address.” This step activates the RPO update flow.

Step #3 Fill new address and let portal map RPO

Enter your updated address carefully. The system matches your PIN code to the new Regional Passport Office. If the Aadhaar PIN is different from the one used earlier, the RPO will auto-switch. No manual edit is required.

Step #4 Upload Current address proof

Scan and upload the address proof that confirms your current residence. Double-check that it matches what you entered in the form. Without a valid address file, RPO correction fails.

Step #5 Pay reissue fee and save ARN

Make the online payment using debit card, UPI, or net banking. Once payment goes through, your Application Reference Number (ARN) gets generated. This number tracks your file and is required to book a slot.

Step #6 Book a PSK appointment linked to new RPO

Now go to “Schedule Appointment.” Choose the PSK shown based on your new address. The system only shows PSKs that match the assigned RPO. Select a date and confirm.

Step #7 Visit PSK with originals on appointment day

Carry your original passport and printed copy of address proof. Go to the PSK on the booked date. Biometrics and document check happen here. If the address and RPO match, file moves fast.

Changing the Regional Passport Office in your passport file is not a direct edit. It only happens when you apply for reissue with an address that belongs to a new RPO.

Once the form, payment, and documents are accepted, the system automatically maps the correct office. Just make sure your Aadhaar pin code matches the new location, and complete the process step by step without delay.

Documents You Must Check Before RPO Change

Changing your Regional Passport Office needs more than just a form update. Every document you submit must match the new location clearly. If even one detail fails—your file may get blocked at PSK or stuck during police verification.

If your Aadhaar shows your old city pin, the system may not map your new RPO. Change the address first, then apply.

Proof of stay confirms you’re now under a new Regional Passport Office jurisdiction. Most PSKs ask for a signed rental document or employer letter.

Old application data can carry errors. Make sure your latest ARN shows the updated address. If not, cancel and generate a new one.

Police verification should not be mid-process. If already started under the wrong RPO, close it out before you apply again.

Each document above decides how fast your passport moves. Fix mismatches before you touch the form.

How to Choose a Regional Passport Office

Your RPO decides where your file moves, who checks it, and when your passport is printed. If it does not match your address, your file may get delayed or rejected.

You cannot choose any RPO. It is assigned based on your pin code. Picking the correct RPO avoids slot errors, slow police checks, and file mismatch.

Below are the key things to confirm before you proceed.

Start with the RPO linked to your pin code

Your pin code decides the RPO. The system verifies it using Aadhaar or utility documents. If it does not match, your application may not move past slot booking.

Confirm if that RPO handles your case

Not every RPO accepts all file types. Reissue, Tatkal, name change, or lost passport—check if your assigned RPO allows what you are applying for.

Faster police checks depend on the RPO

Some RPOs complete police verification in days. Others take longer due to queues or delays at local stations. This affects your dispatch time.

Pick an RPO where you can reach support

If your file may need manual help, choose an RPO with strong escalation options. It matters if your case has previous issues or risk of rejection.

Make sure Aadhaar pin and RPO match

Your Aadhaar pin code must align with the selected RPO. If it does not, your file may stay stuck or the portal may block slot booking.

The RPO decides more than you think

It controls police clearance, printing, and dispatch. If you set the wrong one, your file can loop or stop. Get this right before submission.

List of Regional Passport Offices in India

Below are 20 official Regional Passport Offices as listed under the Ministry of External Affairs. Each RPO handles applications based on jurisdiction and pin code mapping.

What Happens After You Change the RPO?

Once you change your RPO, the system resets your file path. The old PSK slot, old pin code, and any pending police check get dropped. Your file now starts fresh under the new Regional Passport Office.

If the Application Reference Number stays the same, nothing moves. After changing RPO, always generate a new ARN and book a new PSK appointment linked to your updated pin code.

The portal shows status as under review. That means the file is waiting to sync with the new RPO backend. This is normal. It takes 3 to 6 days in most cases. Do not reapply during this window.

Police verification may restart. If it had already begun under the old RPO, the system cancels that request. A new Police Verification Report is triggered based on your Aadhaar address. The officer will now visit the new location.

Once the local police clears your report, the new RPO processes your file for printing. If Aadhaar and pin code match RPO records, printing status shows within 2 to 5 days. If not, the file may pause again.

Final delivery is done by Speed Post after printing. You can track dispatch using your updated ARN. If the Speed Post number does not generate within 5 days of printing, contact your new RPO with file ID.

Final Words

If you shifted to a new city, update your RPO early. Do not wait for the system to block your slot or reject your file.

Most delays happen because the RPO does not match the Aadhaar pin. Some users book fast, but the file never moves.

Always check if your address proof is updated before you apply. If it shows the old city, the system will still tag the old RPO.

Get the RPO right from the start. That one field controls the whole passport process.