Applying for a passport whether it is a new or a reissue is always a hassle. It requires so much documentation and so many documents notarized etc. Th frequent changes in this process makes it even more difficult for some one who is doing it for the first time.
People in India have lot of options when they are doing it from India. You have helpful resources provided by passport authorities and you also have agents who are all around the passport application centers to help you out of course for some fee.
It is a different experience altogether if you have to do it when you are outside of India. In this blog post I will narrate you the procedure if you want to do it in USA.
The passport application process is outsourced to an agency called VFS Global. They collect application, required documents etc and process it with the Indian embassy to initiate passport issuance.
Passport application process
Passport application process is being handled by VFS Global at the time of writing this blog. VFS Global is an outsourcing and technology services company that serves government and diplomatic missions world wide. They collect the required documentation from the applicant and process the passport applications from Passport processing wings at the Indian embassies.
You will need to fill in an online application on Govt of India website. Once you submit it take the print out of the application. Paste a photograph on the application and sign it.
Compile the required documentation. Sign them wherever applicable. Get some of them notarized as per the requirement.
Go back to VFS global website, provide the reference number of the application made on the Govt India website. Pay the required fee and generate the fee receipt and courier labels to be printed.
Put together the application and required documents and send it across to the VFS office via the chosen courier.
Filling the application on Govt of India website
The very first thing you need to do is filling the online application form at the website https://embassy.passportindia.gov.in/.
Select the region where you live in and register an account to start the application process. When you start the application you are prompted for the following options.Â
Select as per your requirement and move to next page. You may want to select the Tatkaal option if you want the password in the fastest time possible. You can only decide that at the beginning of the application. Once the application is submitted to VFS office you cannot upgrade the application. Please keep this in your mind.
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In the next page, majority of the details are straight forward. Fill in as they are applicable to you. At the end of this page if you provide the Aadhar number Select the Yes option else select No and move to next page.Â
In the next page, fill in the information about your family. If the application is for a minor you may want to enter parents’ Passport details with their Nationality.
Documentation
The required documentation list look cumbersome but actually it is not. There are some documents that require signature as well as photocopy notary. You will have to be present with the Notary provider when you sign the document. Several people miss this logic and they end up making multiple rounds. So be mindful about this.
For minors, except in the application every where else either parent can sign on their behalf. In the application page and on the last page both parents need to sign below the applicant signature.
Several notary providers do not notarize photo copies. So please make sure that they do before going to them.
The requirements say that some documents are required them in color. So please have them in color photo copies. If you don’t have the color printer at home, you can have them printed in stores like Staples. You can upload the documents online on their website and get them picked up in the store.
There are plenty of notary services available in your area. You can check the below locations
- City halls
- Public libraries
- Serveral private banks
- UPS stores
-
Valid Status in USA
-- H-1 B, H-4 approval copy, Green card EAD
-- Color copy
-- Notarized -
Proof of Address
-- Driving license, Utility Bill
-- Color copy
-- Notarized -
Parents Legal Status (Incase of minors)
-- Applicable for Minors only
-- Both parents legal status (H-1 approval copy, H-4 approval copy, GC EAD etc) - Original Passport
- Passport photo copy - self attested
- Fee payment receipt
- Checklist
Photo Requirement
You would need 2 color passport size (2×2) photo graphs in the application process. The photos must be with white background and you can get them your self at home using some DIY techniques or get them from CVS, WALGREENS etc.
There are some websites like e-passportphoto.com that provide passport photo services. You can upload the pictures and have them printed at CVS to be picked up. They also have DIY service where in you do all that your self all with in a $1..
Check the below link for exact requirements
https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/united-states-of-america/passport-services/pdf/photo-specifiation.pdf
Courier options
You can choose your own courier like USPS, UPS etc or you can leave it to default option (Fedex) available with VFS global. VFS Global charges $30 for two way courier and they use Fedex over night. This is the best considering the reliability and fast processing of FEDEX. If you use VFS provided courier service, you dont need to send the return courier label. They will do it for you as you already paid for that service. If you use your own courier provider, then you will have to provide them the return courier label.
Fees & Tatkaal option
The fee includes passport fee, vfs handling fee, courier charges etc. If you opted for Tatkaal there is an additional fee of $150.
Checklist & Submitting the application
Once you have all the documents ready with the application and fee payment receipt.
Verify the checklist for all the required documents and put the checklist with the application.
Put all the documents together along with original passport in the Envelop and send it across to their address. Generally the application will reach the next business day.
VFS Processing of the application
Once the application reaches VFS, they verify the package and if they notice any missing documents or signatures they will let you know by email to correct it. They may also ask you send the missing documents to their address by courier with in 7 days. If the application satisfies the requirement, they process on their end and send the package to the Indian embassy for further processing. This all happens in a matter of 2 to 3 days.
The Indian Embassy generally processes the application in two weeks and sends you the passport in Fedex.