7 Mistakes That Can Delay Your Passport Application

You fill the passport form. Upload all documents. Choose your slot. Everything looks fine. But the status shows “Pending police check” or “On hold due to document error.” Days go by. No SMS. No call. You check again. Still no change.

These delays do not start at the passport office. They start much earlier.

Most people make small but serious mistakes during the application. Like uploading an old rent agreement. Or using the wrong passport type for renewal. Or missing a parent’s name in a minor passport form. A single slip can freeze the entire file.

In Tatkal passport cases, people often upload address proofs that are expired. Others choose the wrong option while applying for a new passport when they should have picked a reissue or correction.

These issues happen daily. Especially across Delhi NCR.

This guide explains the real reasons why files get stuck—and what you must check before applying.

Mistake 1: Picking the Wrong Passport Type at the Start

Many users apply fast without reading the form. They choose a new passport even though they already had one before. Others pick renewal when they’ve changed their surname or address. That’s not a renewal. It’s a reissue.

This mismatch leads to instant file hold. And no, the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) cannot correct it at the counter. The system blocks it. You’ll have to cancel, reapply, and wait again.

We’ve seen this mistake happen across Delhi NCR—from Rajouri Garden to Ghaziabad RPO. People select passport renewal, but they also upload a new address or marital name. The system doesn’t process that as a simple renewal. It sends the case to manual review. That’s where most files freeze.

Let’s break it down using the right categories from The Passport Agents service list:

• New Passport Application: Only for people applying for the first time.
• Passport Renewal Services: When your passport is about to expire or just expired, and no details have changed.
• Passport Reissue Services: For any change in name, address, or if your passport is damaged or lost.
• Lost/Damaged Passport Reissue: If your original is physically damaged, torn, or stolen.

Still confused? Just ask yourself:

• Did I ever have a passport before? If yes, it’s not new.
• Did I change anything? Then skip renewal—choose reissue.
• Is it missing or damaged? Then it’s a lost/damaged reissue.

This single choice decides your timeline. Choose wrong, and the PSK cannot proceed. You lose your slot. You lose time. Worst case? You get flagged for repetitive form cancellation, which can affect future appointments.

Mistake 2: Using Documents That Look Right but Are Not Accepted

People often submit documents that seem okay. They show Aadhaar, a rent agreement, or a bank statement. But at the PSK counter, they hear, “Not valid for address proof.” This happens more than you might think—especially in Tatkal cases or for minor passports.

Why? Because not all documents are seen as strong proof under the passport rules. Some may have the correct address, but the system marks them as weak or temporary. For example:

• Rent agreements must be notarised and supported by utility bills
• Bank statements need to be printed, signed, and recent
• Aadhaar cards must show the full updated address and be digitally verified
• Employer letters only work if your company is recognised under passport norms

In Delhi NCR, we have seen cases where people submit an e-ration card or an unsigned bank PDF. The file gets “put on hold” for verification. In Ghaziabad RPO, this is one of the most common reasons for status freeze.

Now here is the trick: even if your Aadhaar has the right address, but it is printed without QR or the photo is unclear, it may not pass. Also, if your Aadhaar has your village name, but you booked a PSK in urban Delhi, it could trigger a jurisdiction mismatch.

Always double-check your documents:

• For New Passport Application or Reissue, use Aadhaar with full details or a registered electricity bill
• For Tatkal Passport, attach one of the verified employer letters or Annexure F
• For Minor Passports, submit Annexure H with the parent’s ID proof
• Avoid digital-only copies unless clearly accepted by passportindia.gov.in

This is not just paperwork. It decides if your file moves or stops.

Mistake 3: Booking a PSK That Looks Closer but Is Out of Jurisdiction

The date shows sooner. You book the slot. But the file stops. Why?

This mistake happens every day in Delhi NCR. You see a slot open at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) near your office. It looks fast. So you book it. But then? Your file status shows “Verification pending” or “Jurisdiction mismatch.”

Here’s what really goes wrong.

PSKs don’t just work by distance. They follow zones set by the Regional Passport Office (RPO). Even if a center is 5 km from you, it may not be allowed for your address. Each RPO handles only a fixed set of PIN codes.

We’ve seen this in dozens of stuck files:

• People living in Indirapuram book at Rajouri Garden PSK—blocked
• Residents of East Delhi choose Ghazipur POPSK without checking zone—file stalls
• Applicants from Rohini try booking at Gurgaon PSK—not accepted for Delhi addresses

The result?

• Your police file goes to the wrong thana
• Your application enters manual review
• You may be told to cancel and reapply under the right zone
• You lose the slot fee and wait another 2 to 3 weeks to get things moving again

The backend system cannot override this. Even if you show up at the wrong PSK, they won’t process your file. You will be told: “Address out of jurisdiction.”

Here’s what to do before booking any slot:

• Check your PIN code mapping using the passport portal’s RPO zone checker
• Use the official RPO Delhi and RPO Ghaziabad tools—not Google Maps
• Confirm your area is supported by the PSK before making payment

Delhi NCR is not one region. It’s split into zones—Delhi North, South, East, and Ghaziabad. Each has fixed jurisdiction. Even small border changes confuse the system.

This issue is silent. No error shows while booking. The slot opens. You pay. But your file never gets processed. You wait, and nothing moves.

Mistake 4: Skipping Annexure Documents Thinking They Are Optional

You uploaded Aadhaar. You added PAN. The system accepted it. But now the file is stuck. Why?

For many people, this part comes as a surprise. You did everything right—at least you thought so. But your passport file still shows no progress. What’s missing? Often, it’s the Annexure document you didn’t know was required.

These aren’t just “extra” forms. They’re mandatory legal declarations for specific cases. If your file type needs one—and you don’t attach it—your application goes into “Hold for officer review.” It won’t move until it’s fixed.

We’ve seen this across Delhi NCR, from Dwarka PSK to Noida Sector 62. Most common issue? Applicant missed one simple document.

Here’s where Annexures are absolutely required:

• Minor Passport Application → Needs Annexure H (parental declaration)
• Government Employees → Must attach Annexure A or Annexure B
• Single Parent or Separated Couple → Require Annexure G or Annexure C
• Tatkal Passport → Often needs Annexure F (employer verification letter)
• Lost Passport Reissue → Needs FIR + Annexure L or declaration form

These forms may look like paperwork, but they carry weight. Officers use them to confirm:

• Parental consent for kids
• Employer status for Tatkal
• Legal responsibility in split guardianship cases

Take this case: In Dwarka PSK, a child’s file was on hold for 19 days. The mother had Aadhaar, birth certificate, and her own passport. But she forgot Annexure H. The officer could not process the file without written consent. She had to reschedule and start over.

For Lost or Damaged Passports, even if you file an FIR, it’s not enough. Without the right annexure, the system flags your case. Your file sits there. Silent. No update.

Here’s how to avoid this:

• Go to passportindia.gov.in
• Open the Download Forms section
• Select your passport type from the list
• Download and fill the right Annexure
• Sign it and carry a physical copy to the PSK

If unsure? Still attach it. It’s safer to carry one extra form than to lose three weeks for a file stuck in manual holding.

Mistake 5: Name Does Not Match Across All Documents

Your documents speak for you. If they say different things, the passport office will not listen.

Let’s say your Aadhaar says Anjali Sharma, your PAN says Anjali S, and your birth certificate says Anjali Kumari Sharma. You might think, “It’s all me. They’ll get it.” But the system does not guess. It matches line by line.

At Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), even a single letter mismatch freezes your file. You won’t get an error right away. The system pushes your case into manual review, or worse, the police cannot verify and send it back saying “name mismatch.” That’s where your timeline breaks.

We’ve seen this issue again and again across Delhi NCR. It shows up the most during:

• New Passport Applications: where Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, and Birth Certificate must all agree.
• Passport Renewal Services: Name must match exactly with the old passport.
• Minor/Kids Passport Applications: Parent names are cross-checked word-for-word.
• Passport Correction Services: Especially after marriage name updates, spelling changes, or adoption.

Before you hit Submit, sit down and check one thing: does your name look exactly the same everywhere? Not just the first name—your middle name, your father’s name, your spelling. Even an extra initial or missing word will confuse the police report.

Let us break it down.

• Aadhaar
• PAN
• Voter ID
• Birth Certificate
• Old Passport (if you have one)

If you changed your name after marriage or fixed a spelling legally, keep the marriage certificate, Gazette copy, or Annexure E ready. Just Aadhaar and PAN will not explain the change.

When police say “name mismatch” or “identity unclear,” the file gets paused. The PSK puts it on hold.

Mistake 6: Applying for Tatkal Passport Without Knowing the Rules

People think Tatkal means quick passport. Just pay extra, book early, and done. But it is not that easy.

Tatkal rules are harder. Every file goes through deeper checks. If one thing is off—the file does not move. It sits in review. No update. No print.

Here’s what you must know before applying Tatkal:

• You need Annexure F (from your employer) or an official verification letter
• Your police record must be clean—no FIR, no adverse remarks
• If your address changed recently, Tatkal is usually refused
• If your passport had any recent correction, Tatkal won’t go through
• If your earlier police check was incomplete, system will block the request
• Most Delhi NCR PSKs ask for two photo ID documents, even if the website doesn’t say it

Also: Do not upload photo scans of Aadhaar or PAN. Use clean PDF documents with clear name and signature. That’s what the passport officer checks first.

Why does this matter? Because Tatkal is not lenient. It’s strict. It saves time only if your file has zero errors. If even one paper is missing, Tatkal becomes slower than normal.

Mistake 7: Ignoring the Police Verification Step or Giving Wrong Info

Your file is ready. But no police came. Or they came and left. Now what?

Many people think once the passport form is submitted, the job is done. But no. That’s just the start. The police verification step is where most files get stuck. And most people realise it too late.

In Greater Noida, Laxmi Nagar, and Indirapuram, we’ve seen this happen again and again. The applicant gets the SMS—“Application submitted.” A week passes. Still no police. Or worse, the police visit, but your file stays in “Verification Pending.”

Here’s what really blocks the process:

• No door nameplate or unclear flat number? The officer cannot verify. File is paused.
• You gave a number but kept your phone off during day hours? Officer marks “not reachable”.
• Your neighbour or PG owner says they don’t know you? That’s enough to reject.
• Many Minor Passport and Passport Reissue files fail just because a missed verification call was never returned.

One file at Indirapuram PSK was delayed 19 days because the applicant’s name was missing on the building entrance. The police returned twice but could not match the address. The report came back: “Applicant not located.”

To avoid this, here’s what you must do right after applying:

• Fix a clear name plate outside your flat or building
• Keep your phone on and charged, especially during working hours
• Tell your society guard, landlord, or flatmate to expect a police visit
• Save your local passport police station’s number—you’ll need it
• If you miss the visit, go to the police station within 48 hours with your file number

Also, note: officers do not always call first. Some do random checks. If they come and find your door locked or number switched off, they write: “Unable to verify.”

This step is critical for:

• New Passport Applications
• Tatkal Passports
• Senior Citizens who may be away when the officer arrives

If your dashboard shows “Police Verification Pending” for more than 7 days, do not wait. Act immediately. That one line on the screen—“pending”—can block your passport from printing, even if everything else is perfect.

What You Can Do Now to Avoid Delays and Get Your Passport on Time

The passport system is not broken. But it does not forgive small mistakes. A wrong form. A missed annexure. One unclear name. And the file just stops moving.

Every point above is not theory. These are real mistakes people across Delhi NCR made—people who applied for new passports, booked Tatkal slots, submitted forms for their kids, or just wanted a simple renewal. Their intent was right. But one step went off track.

Now you know what they missed. So you do not have to go through it.

If you are about to apply:

• Read your documents line by line
• Match your case to the correct passport type
• Choose the PSK that matches your pin code
• Use the correct Annexure—not the one that looks similar
• Be alert after submission. Police verification can happen any day.

If you are unsure which passport category fits you, whether it is passport correction, reissue, senior citizen services, or Jumbo passport application, do not guess. The time you spend checking now saves weeks of delay later.

Keep one thing clear: it is not about speed. It is about matching what the system expects. That is how your file moves.