People under 18 are minors, and having a passport for minors is now mandatory. Earlier, children used to travel abroad with an endorsement of their name on their father's passport. However, rules have changed, and children’s passports are now necessary. When applying for a passport for kids, the procedure and documentation differ slightly from those for adults. So, here is an inclusive guide on passports for minors India, along with other required details.
If you are a parent or legal guardian, you are the only one who can apply for a minor's passport. This is because children (people under 18 years old) need permission and proof from an adult to make sure their trip is safe and legal.
Applying for a passport for minor in India is reasonably straightforward. The passport request for children can be processed with the consent of parents or legal guardians. You can follow online and offline procedures to apply for a minor passport in India. Here are the details:
That's the online process for minor passport applications. Here is how you can do it offline.
If you are planning to get a child's passport, the procedure and documentation differ slightly from those for adults. Here are some valid kids passport documents you can use when applying for a minor passport in India:
As parents, when applying for a passport for kids, always attach a copy of your valid passport. Make sure the name of your spouse is endorsed on your passport.
For a passport without the endorsement of a spouse, parents will have to apply for a fresh passport with the required endorsement.
If one of the parents is living aboard, the signature of such a parent is required for the application. If you cannot get the signature, you can submit Annexure D along with the application.
The eligibility for a minor passport in India is decided based on the following criteria.
Typically, any passport issued by the government of India is valid for a period of 10 years. However, with a passport for a minor, the rules are a bit different.
Passport fees for minors vary depending on your chosen scheme. They will also vary based on the minor's age and the required passport validity.
The fees are different for passport reissues. Below is a table with different scenarios and the charges applied:
Type of Service
Candidates Age
Normal Charge
Tatkaal Charge
Less than 15 years
Fresh Passport with 36 pages
18 years of age and above
Fresh Passport with 60 pages
18 years of age and above
Fresh Passport with 36 pages for 10 years validity
Between 15 to 18 years
Fresh Passport with 60 pages for 10 years validity
Between 15 to 18 years
Re-issue of passport due to validity expired/ deletion Ecr/change in personal
Less than 15 years
Re-issue of passport with 36 pages due to lost or damaged passport
Less than 15 years
Re-issue of passport with 36 pages due to validity expired/ deletion Ecr/change in personal
18 years of age and above
Re-issue of passport with 60 pages due to validity expired/ deletion Ecr/change in personal
18 years of age and above
Re-issue of passport with 36 pages due to lost or damaged passport
18 years of age and above
Re-issue of passport with 60 pages due to lost or damaged passport
18 years of age and above
Re-issue of passport with 36 pages for 10 years validity due to validity expired/ deletion Ecr/change in personal
Between 15 to 18 years
Re-issue of passport with 60 pages for 10 years validity due to validity expired/ deletion Ecr/change in personal
Between 15 to 18 years
Re-issue of passport with 36 pages due to lost or damaged passport
Between 15 to 18 years
Re-issue of passport with 60 pages due to lost or damaged passport
Between 15 to 18 years
Listed below are the applicable payment modes.
Apart from SBI Bank Challan and SBI Internet Banking, all other modes will have a 1.5%+ service tax applicable when making the payment.
The processing time after successfully applying for it may vary based on certain factors. The parents or legal guardians will receive an affirmation receipt or notification after applying for a minor's passport. Usually, the passport will be dispatched to the mentioned address within 4-7 working days after you receive the notification receipt. You also have a passport-tracking facility on the PSK website to track your passport application for minors.
To renew a minor's passport in India, simply follow the below steps:
Step 1: Use the Passport Seva Online Portal to sign up. Click on the "Register Now" link
Step 2: Use the password you created to log in to the Passport Seva online portal
Step 3: Click on "Re-issue of Passport."
Step 4: Fill out the form with the necessary information and send it
Step 5: Next, go to the "View Saved/Submitted Applications" screen and click on the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link
To make an appointment at any PSK, POPSK, or PO, you must now pay online
You can pay online in any of the following ways:
Step 6: To print the application receipt with the Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number, click the "Print Application Receipt" link
Note: You no longer need to carry a copy of your Application Receipt. You can also bring an SMS with your appointment information with you to the Passport Office as proof that you have an appointment
Step 7: Come to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO) where you have an appointment and bring the original papers with you
The passport is a valuable document. It is proof of citizenship and identity overseas. It would be best to keep the passport safe and protected by storing it securely. If the minor's passport is lost or stolen, it can be used for criminal purposes or to steal the minor's identity. To keep the passport protected, follow these steps.
If you lose a passport, immediately report it to the Passport Office or the nearest police station. They will guide you through obtaining a replacement or reissue of the passport.
Five years is the valid duration of a minor's passport or until they are 18 years old. However, minors between 15-18 years old can apply for a passport with a validity of 10 years or until they are 18 years old.
It is ideal if at least one of the parents has a valid passport with their spouse's name; however, it is not mandatory.
Yes, both parents should be present at the PSK while applying for a minor's passport, or one of the parents with both parents' passports should be available. They should submit Annexure D with their signatures.
Annexure D should be submitted by the legal guardian while applying for the minor's passport if both parents are unavailable.
If both parents are not available, the legal guardian should submit Annexure D when applying for the minor's passport.
If one of the parents is deceased, the death certificate of the deceased parent should be submitted along with Annexure D.
If the consent of one parent cannot be obtained, Annexure C must be presented along with Annexure D.
Recent passport-size colour photographs of children below four years of age should be carried, and they should meet the requirements mentioned on the Passport Seva Kendra website. For children over four years old, the officials will take a photograph at the passport office.
According to the revised guidelines, baby names cannot be included in the parents' passports. Irrespective of their age, a fresh passport should also be applied for babies.
Visit the Passport Seva Kendra website and register your child. Log in to the account using your credentials. Now you can go to your account and fill out the application for a passport for the minor. After submitting this form, make the payment online.
The applicant's age should be 1 day in order to get a minor passport in India.
Yes, children under the age of 5 also need a passport to travel internationally.
Yes, parents can apply for a passport for their newborn child.
It's good if both parents can be present at the PSK while applying for their child’s passport, or else one parent with the passport of both parents or at least one passport with the spouse's name will also work.
Generally, for minors with 5 years of passport validity, no police verification is required until the applicant's parents hold a valid Indian passport. However, if the passport is issued with a 10-year validity, it will require police clearance.
No, an Aadhaar card is not mandatory for a child's passport. However, it is a valid document if you choose to provide it.
Yes, a mother can apply for a minor’s passport without their father's consent. In this event, the documents needed for the passport are address proof, a birth certificate, an attested photocopy of both parents' passports and a declaration letter.
Explore More:
Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.
