Passport Apply

Applying for a new Indian passport or renewing an existing one means submitting your application on the official Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) portal, booking an appointment, and appearing for document verification. Punjab Saathi helps you complete the online application accurately and guides you through the appointment and document process — we assist with the procedure; the passport itself is issued only by the Ministry of External Affairs / Passport Seva.

How Punjab Saathi Helps You Apply for a Passport

• Fill and submit your passport application correctly on the Passport Seva Kendra portal
• Help you choose the right application type — fresh passport, renewal, or reissue
• Guide you on Tatkal vs Normal scheme based on how urgently you need your passport
• Help you book your Passport Seva Kendra / Post Office PSK appointment slot
• Review your documents before submission to reduce the chance of rejection at the counter

New Passport, Renewal, or Reissue — Which One Applies to You?

Passport Seva uses two application categories, and the naming trips a lot of applicants up. Fresh is only for someone who has never held an Indian passport before. Everyone else — renewing an expired or soon-to-expire passport, replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged one, adding pages, or updating a name/address/photo — applies under Re-issue of Passport, which is what most people simply call "passport renewal." We'll confirm the correct category for your situation before you apply, since picking the wrong one is a common reason applications get delayed.

Tatkal vs Normal — What's the Real Difference

A common misunderstanding: Tatkal is often assumed to skip police verification entirely. It doesn't — it just reorders it. Under Tatkal, your passport is printed and dispatched first, and police verification happens afterward, which is what makes it faster. Normal applications go through verification before printing, which is the slower path. Either way, verification still happens. Tatkal also asks for one extra supporting document (from a specified list — a valid PAN card is one commonly used option) and a signed undertaking, on top of the standard documents — we'll help you confirm which document works for your case.

Passport Police Verification — How It Actually Works

Every application falls into one of three verification types. Pre-verification is the standard for most fresh applications — your local police station verifies your address and details before your passport is printed, which is part of why Normal applications take longer. Post-verification is the norm for Tatkal — your passport is issued first, and verification happens afterward. A small set of applicants (government employees, PSU staff, and a few other exempt categories, via Annexure B) may need no fresh verification at all. Most districts now use the mPassport Police App, which has brought typical verification time down to around two weeks, and even less in some app-enabled areas.

Applying for a Minor's Passport

A child's passport application goes through the same online portal, but needs a parent or legal guardian's consent — typically Annexure C or D depending on your family situation (both parents available, single parent, or guardian), plus Annexure I if you're applying under Tatkal for a minor. We'll help you figure out exactly which form fits your case so the application isn't rejected for the wrong annexure.

Important Information to Know

• Document requirements can vary depending on your age, whether it's a fresh application or renewal, and current Passport Seva / MEA guidelines — we'll confirm the exact list for your specific case.
• Your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is used for OTP verification during the online application — if your Aadhaar details are outdated, we can also help with Aadhaar Update / Correction first.
• Don't have a birth certificate for date-of-birth proof? We can help you apply for one — see our Birth Certificate service.
• Punjab Saathi assists with the application and appointment process only. Passport issuance, police verification, and final approval are handled entirely by the Ministry of External Affairs and Passport Seva.

Passport Seva Kendras Serving Punjab

Punjab is served by the Regional Passport Office in Chandigarh, with Passport Seva Kendras in Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Jalandhar (which also covers the Doaba districts). We help you book the right appointment slot at whichever is nearest to you. Once you've applied, you can track your application status anytime on our Track Application page.

1. Register on Passport Seva — Create your account and fill the online application with your personal details.
2. Pay the Fee and Book a Slot — Pay online and choose an available appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra.
3. Visit for Document Verification — Attend your appointment with original documents for verification, photo, and biometrics.
4. Police Verification — Your local police station verifies your address — before issuance for Normal, after for Tatkal.
5. Receive Your Passport — Once cleared, your passport is printed by the Regional Passport Office and delivered by post.

• Any Indian citizen applying for a fresh passport for the first time
• Existing passport holders whose passport has expired or is expiring soon (renewal)
• Applicants needing a reissue due to a lost, damaged, or stolen passport
• Minors, applied for through a parent or legal guardian