No police verification for passport means getting a passport without police checking your details first. Under new Passport Rules, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) allows passports to be issued quickly to some applicants. In this method, called post police verification, the passport is given first and police checks happen afterward.
Earlier, applicants always had to wait for a Police Verification Report (PVR) before getting their passport. Now, if you provide strong documents like Aadhaar-based identity verification and address proofs, your passport can be printed without delay.
These new rules came in 2018 to speed up passport delivery. Digital methods, such as DigiLocker, online databases, and the Passport Seva portal, help officers verify your identity instantly. People needing urgent passports under the Tatkaal passport scheme especially benefit from this system.
Passport before verification is not available to everyone. Those with unclear backgrounds, incomplete documents, or from sensitive areas still require traditional verification. The Regional Passport Office (RPO) decides who qualifies based on guidelines set by MEA.
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Overview and context of no police verification for passport
An Indian passport is an official document given by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It proves your identity and nationality when you travel to other countries.
Earlier, getting a passport meant waiting for a check called police verification. In this check, local police authorities visited your home to confirm your address. They spoke with your neighbours to make sure your details were correct and checked if you had any criminal cases. After completing these checks, police gave a Police Verification Report (PVR) to the Regional Passport Office (RPO). Only after receiving a clear PVR, passport printing could begin.
In past years, this method took very long. For example, in 2013, police checks took around 49 days, causing delays in passports. To solve this issue, the government started using digital tools like the mPassport Police App. This app helped police send verification reports instantly online instead of on paper. By 2019, police verification became faster, taking around 18–19 days.
Still, to make passports quicker, the government started no police verification for some people. After 2018, people with clear backgrounds and strong identity proofs like Aadhaar-based identity verification could get passports quickly, without waiting for police first. Their passports were issued immediately, and police checks happened afterward. This saved time and made getting passports easy, especially for people who needed them urgently.
History of no police verification for passport in India
Earlier in India, every passport needed pre police verification. After applying at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), people waited for local police authorities to verify their details first. Police visited homes, talked to neighbours, checked criminal records, and then submitted the Police Verification Report (PVR) to the Regional Passport Office (RPO).
This step was compulsory after the Passports Act, 1967. But the waiting period was very long, sometimes taking weeks or months. People often faced problems and delays because of slow paper-based reports and poor coordination between passport offices and police stations.
Introduction of Tatkaal passport scheme
In the early 2000s, the government introduced the Tatkaal passport scheme. This scheme helped people who needed passports urgently. Tatkaal passports were quickly issued without waiting for a police check first. Applicants paid extra fees and submitted special documents, including a verification letter from a government officer.
Police checks happened later, after passport issuance. This was the first major step towards a new way of passport verification, but the paperwork for Tatkaal remained difficult for many applicants.
Aadhaar and digital reforms after 2015
From 2015, the government started using digital methods for quick passport issuance. Applicants with Aadhaar-based identity verification could get passports without waiting for police checks.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also used criminal databases like the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to quickly check backgrounds online. Passports issued using Aadhaar numbers and self-declaration forms could reach people in just 10 days. Police checks followed later, after passport printing. False declarations led to strict actions, including cancellation.
Passport Rules changes from December 2016
On 26 December 2016, new Passport Rules were announced. The government allowed first-time applicants to get passports without immediate police verification. Applicants needed to give Aadhaar, PAN card, Voter ID, and a self-declaration form (Annexure-I) stating no criminal cases.
Verification took place after passport issuance. This made passport issuance faster and easier for many people. The mPassport Police App was introduced at this time, helping police officers complete checks online faster, within about three weeks.
Further expansion from 2018
In January 2018, the government made the passport-before-verification option open to even regular applicants over 18 years old, without extra fees. Applicants could receive passports in one week, compared to the earlier average of 21 days.
They needed an Aadhaar number (or enrolment ID) and two other ID proofs from an approved list, such as Voter ID, PAN card, or driving license. Documents like ration cards were added to make the application simpler.
The Tatkaal rules were also relaxed in 2018. The need for a verification letter from a government officer ended. Applicants now submit a self-declaration form and three ID proofs. Tatkaal passports are usually issued within one to three working days, and verification happens later.
Rationale and concept of no police verification for passport
The main reason for starting no police verification for passport was to give passports quickly without long waiting. Before these changes, people had to wait many days for the police to visit their homes, talk to neighbours, and check their background. Only after getting a clear Police Verification Report (PVR), passport printing started.
Now, the government uses technology to confirm identity faster. Tools like Aadhaar-based identity verification and criminal records databases instantly confirm if an applicant has issues. If identity and basic checks pass, the passport office issues the passport first, and the police visit later. This method is called passport-before-verification.
Main reasons behind no police verification reforms:
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Reducing delays: Old methods took very long, often delaying urgent travel or jobs. New methods save time. Passports come quickly after online identity checks, making urgent travel plans easy.
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Better administration: Most police verifications gave clear results. The passport office noticed that verifying common documents first (like Aadhaar and PAN cards) meant most people had no problems. This allowed officers to focus extra checks only on people who needed it.
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Use of new technology: Digital systems like Aadhaar clearly prove a person’s identity. Aadhaar numbers are unique, making it easy to identify applicants instantly. Online criminal records checks also quickly show if anyone has criminal cases, without waiting for physical checks.
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Legal self-declaration: Applicants sign a form (Annexure-I) promising they have no criminal record. If they lie, authorities can cancel or take away their passport later. This legal condition helps people provide truthful information.
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Focus on better citizen services: More Indians travel abroad now for studies, tourism, or jobs. Faster passport services help many people avoid trouble and delays. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) started these rules to simplify passport services, helping citizens receive passports easily and quickly.
Passport first, verification later
The new policy does not stop police verification. It only changes its timing. Applicants get passports first, and police visits happen afterward. If the later verification finds issues, like incorrect addresses or criminal records, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) can quickly call applicants, stop the passport temporarily, or even cancel it. This helps keep passports secure and genuine while also speeding up the process.
Eligibility and conditions for no police verification passport
Not everyone gets the benefit of no police verification before getting a passport. The Regional Passport Office (RPO) decides who can get passports without pre-checks based on clear rules.
Government employees and family members
Government and public-sector employees can easily qualify for passport-before-verification. They submit documents like Identity Certificate (Annexure A) or No Objection Certificate (Annexure G) from their employer. Dependents of government employees can also get passports without immediate verification if they have a similar certificate. These rules help government employees because their background is already checked.
Minors and children under 18
Children under 18 do not usually need police checks if parents have valid passports. Parents must include passport details and sign a consent form (Annexure D). This means parents’ passports and consent replace police verification for children. Minors aged between 15 and 18 can choose a passport valid for 10 years with police verification before issuance. But if they choose a 5-year passport, police checks happen after passport printing.
Special rules exist for minors without parents. Orphaned children can get passports with letters from their orphanage confirming details like date of birth. For these special cases, police checks usually happen after issuance.
Passport renewals
Renewing a passport (after expiry) can also be done without immediate police checks if the address and details stay the same and the old passport had a clear record. But if the passport expired more than 3 years ago, or if the address changed, new police verification is usually required. Renewals under Tatkaal can often use post-verification if documents are correct and unchanged.
Sensitive areas and special cases
People from sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir or the North East (such as Nagaland) must have police verification before getting passports. Applicants with unclear addresses, multiple residences, or any past criminal records must also wait for police verification first. People with ongoing court cases must show a court order to receive a passport, and the validity may be shorter after verification.
Overall, the passport office carefully checks each application. If officers have doubts about an applicant’s information or documents, they choose traditional verification to keep passports safe.
Procedure Under Post-Issuance Verification
After your passport application is accepted under the passport-before-verification rule, you go through some clear steps:
Step 1: Document checking at passport office
First, the passport office checks your submitted documents carefully. You must clearly give your Aadhaar card and other ID proofs from an approved list. These IDs are digitally verified online, often using DigiLocker. DigiLocker helps the passport office quickly check your details without needing original papers. Your Aadhaar-based identity verification must exactly match the Aadhaar records from UIDAI.
Step 2: Your visit to Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)
Next, you must visit a nearby Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Officers take your fingerprints, photo, and verify your details in person. After these checks, if everything is correct, your passport application is approved instantly. The passport officer tells you clearly that police verification will happen afterward, not before.
Step 3: Passport printing and sending
After your appointment, the passport office quickly prints and sends your passport to your address. Under normal passport-before-verification, it reaches you in about 7 days. For urgent passports under the Tatkaal scheme, it comes within 1–3 days. The passport you get is a normal passport (valid usually for 10 years). It does not show any special mark about verification.
Step 4: Police verification after passport delivery
After sending your passport, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) starts the police verification process. Your details are sent digitally to your local police station using the mPassport Police App. A police officer then visits your home to check your address and documents. This visit is like the traditional verification but happens after you receive your passport. Police usually complete their checks faster this way.
Step 5: After police check results (clear or adverse)
If the police send a clear Police Verification Report (PVR) (meaning no issues), your passport remains valid and nothing else happens. But if the police find any problems, such as incorrect address or hidden criminal record, the passport office takes immediate action.
The Regional Passport Office (RPO) may call you to explain or show correct documents. For minor problems, corrections can happen easily after explanation. If a serious issue is found, the passport office can cancel your passport under the Passports Act, 1967. False declarations made in your Annexure-I affidavit can also lead to legal action.
Step 6: Responsibility of applicants after passport issue
After receiving your passport, clearly remember that police verification will happen soon. You must cooperate fully when the local police visit. If police verification does not happen for a long time, you should clearly contact your local police station directly. If police cannot complete verification because you are unavailable, your passport could become inactive.
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Technological and digital initiatives for passport verification
Technology now helps passport offices issue passports quickly without first waiting for police checks. Several digital tools clearly make this easier and faster.
Aadhaar-based identity verification
The passport office uses Aadhaar-based identity verification for faster passport approval. Aadhaar cards contain unique details that clearly show the identity of applicants. The passport system checks Aadhaar numbers online with the UIDAI database. This quick digital check helps confirm the applicant is exactly who they claim to be, which makes passport printing faster.
Crime database checks
To keep passports safe, passport officers use online criminal checks. When you apply for a passport, your details are instantly checked against records in the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). If any serious criminal record is found, the passport office sees it immediately. This fast check helps reduce waiting time and makes sure passports are given only to safe individuals.
DigiLocker for documents
In August 2023, the passport office clearly said that all applicants must use DigiLocker. DigiLocker is a safe online space where you store official documents digitally. You can directly attach your Aadhaar, PAN card, or school certificates from DigiLocker to your passport application. This means the passport office gets original documents digitally from the government, removing mistakes or delays that happen with paper documents.
mPassport Police App
The mPassport Police App clearly changed how police verification happens. Earlier, police officers filled many paper forms. Now, using this mobile app, officers do verification with a smartphone or tablet. They capture photos, verify your address, and send their Police Verification Report (PVR) instantly through the app. This saves time, and the passport office gets verification results quickly.
Online application tracking (Passport Seva portal)
The Passport Seva portal, managed with help from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), lets applicants clearly track passport applications online. After submitting your form, you can check each step online, including when police verification starts and ends. If verification takes too long, applicants clearly know they can contact the Regional Passport Office (RPO) through this portal or even tweet to MEA officials for quick answers.
These digital changes clearly make getting passports simpler, faster, and safer. Applicants now receive passports quicker, and police verification is clearly done efficiently with less paperwork.