Duplicate Passport: Documents, Fees and How to Apply

A duplicate passport is a document issued in place of an original passport that has been lost, stolen or damaged due to certain circumstances. The application for a duplicate passport has a separate procedure, duplicate passport charges and document requirements.

Also Read: Passport Vs Visa: Differences Every Traveller Should Know

Lost Passport

The first case is the loss of a passport. In case you lose your passport documents, file a complaint with your nearest police station about the incident. If you lose your passport in a foreign country, you should file a complaint with the local police station regarding the area where the incident occurred and also inform the Indian Embassy or Consulate.

After that, you can apply for a duplicate passport by visiting the Passport Seva website.

Passport Damage

Another reason to apply for a passport reissue is if your passport is damaged. There are two scenarios of a damaged passport. If your passport is partially damaged in the area where your name, address, and other details are printed, you can apply for a Tatkaal passport. If it is destroyed, you will need to apply for a new passport at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra.

Exhausted Pages

If the pages in your original passport are exhausted, you can also apply for a passport reissue. You can select whether you want the renewed passport with 36 pages or 60 pages, each with different charges.

Change In Details

A duplicate passport is also issued in the event of any change in current information, such as a change in surname, address, contact number, or any other details. You can apply for a change and have your passport reissued.

Emergency Situations

Suppose an Indian citizen loses his passport during an international trip but has to come back to India immediately due to an emergency. For example, if there is a health issue or the passing of a family member, they can obtain an emergency certificate to expedite the duplicate passport process.

Also Read: How To Change Name and Address Passport Process?

You can choose to apply for a duplicate passport through offline and online methods, whichever suits you best.

How Do You Get A Duplicate Passport Online?

• Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva website.
• Step 2: Create your account on the portal; after that, you will get credentials to log in.
• Step 3: Complete the online form for a duplicate passport.
• Step 4: Cross-check all the information filled in.
• Step 5: After submission, you will receive an acknowledgement. Use the link to track your application at the Passport Seva Kendra.

How Do You Get A Duplicate Passport Offline?

• Step 1: Download the e-form from the Passport Seva website.
• Step 2: Select whether you want a fresh passport or a reissued passport.
• Step 3: Make sure to download the Police Clearance Certificate, too.
• Step 4: Complete the form with the required information, such as the old passport number, name, date of birth, age, address and the cause of reissuance.
• Step 5: Visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra with your completed form, identity proof, and old passport (if available).

Also Read: How To Passport In India? Online and Offline

Here are the documents required to apply for a duplicate passport in India.

• Original old passport
• Proof of current residence (Aadhar card, rental agreement, bank statement, etc. )
• Date of birth proof (birth certificate or educational certificates)
• Marriage certificate (for individuals applying for surname changes)
• Court order documents (for individuals applying for a name change other than marriage)
• No objection certificate (Annexure M) or Prior intimation letter (Annexure N)
• Self-attested copies of all the relevant documents
• Recent passport-size photograph

Also Read: List of Documents Required for Passport In India

Note: Tatkaal charges are applicable in addition to the application charges if you opt for Tatkaal services.

Also Read: Passport Fees

Here are the modes of payment accepted by the Passport Seva Kendra for the application fee:

• SBI Bank Challan
• Wallet Payment from SBI Bank
• Internet Banking
• Credit or Debit card

The processing time for getting your duplicate passport depends on whether a police clearance certificate is required. If not, the processing time can be up to 7 business days. However, if you need to submit a police clearance certificate, it can take up to 30 business days to process your duplicate passport application.

Moreover, in India, you cannot download your duplicate passport from the Passport Seva website; you must wait for it to be sent to your address.

Also Read: Police Verification for Passport: Steps and Documents Required

Losing or stealing your original passport can result in the expense of applying for a duplicate. Here are some tips on how to take better care of your duplicate passport.

• Always keep your passport in a safe place. Moreover, remember where you have stored it.
• Store your passport in a dry place.
• Have multiple photocopies of your passport in both physical and digital format.
• Never give any person your passport.
• Keep a record of the passport number or original and duplicate documents, along with their expiry date.

Now you know how to get a new passport if lost, stolen, or damaged. A duplicate passport resolves your issue in such situations, allowing you to obtain the necessary documents and proceed with the trip as planned. But what if you lose your passport while travelling to a foreign country? That is when international travel insurance comes to the rescue.

When you buy travel insurance online with TATA AIG, you get reliable lost passport coverage. We not only assist you throughout the process of obtaining a duplicate passport but also ensure that all expenses incurred during the process are covered.

Our travel insurance also includes several key features, such as medical expense coverage, lost luggage coverage, trip cancellation coverage, and coverage for missed bookings.

Purchase a TATA AIG travel insurance policy to enjoy all these coverage benefits today!

Also Read: Passport Renewal: A Complete Guide

What should be done when the passport is lost or damaged before applying for a duplicate passport?

If your passport is lost or damaged before you apply for a duplicate passport, you must file an FIR at the nearest police station. Then, use the FIR report’s copy as proof while applying for a duplicate passport.

Will the reissued passport have the same number as the old passport?

No, the reissued passport will not have the same number as your old passport. Duplicate passports never have the same number as the previously issued passport.

What is type P in a passport?

In Indian passport categories, the “Type P” passport is known as the personal or ordinary passport.

Do IAS officers get a red passport?

No, IAS officers are usually issued a white passport or an official passport.