How to File an RTI Application for a Passport?

To obtain any important travel document, be it a passport or travel insurance plan, an individual must be aware of the process that needs to be followed. This ensures a seamless experience. When it comes to filing an RTI application for a passport, there are two ways an individual can go about it. They can either choose the offline procedure for RTI passport application or opt for the convenience of the online one. Let’s understand how each of these works.

• Offline Process to File RTI Passport Application

For the offline process, an individual is expected to submit a passport RTI application form in a specific format to the Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO). The application form must include details such as the name of the applicant, current residential address, and other relevant details.

• Online Process to File RTI Passport Application

Individuals can also prefer to fill out the passport RTI application form online. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do that:

• Step 1: Visit the official RTI website and get yourself registered. Once you have registered, you can log in to the website using your login ID and password.
• Step 2: Choose the Ministry and Public Authority to whom you wish to send your application by filling out all the necessary details, such as your name, address, contact information, etc.
• Step 3: The application has a 3000-character limit and if your text exceeds this, you can simply attach it as a “Supporting Document.” This attachment, however, must be in a PDF format and should not be more than 1 MB in size. If all these formalities are met, you can click on the “Submit” button.
• Step 4: You will then be expected to pay the necessary fees and once you complete the payment, the process for online application is completed.

Now that we have acquainted ourselves with both the offline and online methods for RTI passport application, let’s take a look at which RTI documents for passport will be required.

Knowing the necessary RTI documents for passport can help you prepare for the application beforehand, so you can avoid the last-minute rush. Here are the RTI documents for passport application that an individual needs to be ready with before filing their application:

• Applicants that fall under the BPL category need not pay an application fee. They must, however, enclose a copy of the BPL or Antyodaya ration card with their application letter. In addition to this, they are also expected to add their BPL card number, issuing year, and authority.

• For other applicants, no specific documents are needed to file an RTI. They can, however, choose to attach a separate sheet detailing the specifications of the information that they require.

As can be derived from the above information, no RTI document for passport must be submitted by an applicant.

If the application is submitted in person by visiting the Regional Passport Office, the applicable fees can be paid in cash, demand draft, banker’s cheque, or Indian Postal Order. For any of the latter, the payment needs to be drawn in favour of the passport officer at the relevant passport office and is payable at the location of the said passport office.

Alternatively, you can also choose to pay the application fee via internet banking, credit card, debit card, or any other payment option mentioned on the RTI portal.

To obtain information under Section 6, subsection (1), the applicant needs to pay ₹10 as their application fee.

Additional charges apply when an individual seeks information under Section 7, subsections (1) and (5). The table below illustrates the details of each of these:

The applicable RTI charges for Section 7, subsection (5) are as follows:

The RTI Act guarantees that applicants get their desired information within 30 days. If the desired information is not provided (basis sub-section (1) or clause 3(a) of section 7) within the prescribed time frame, an appeal can be submitted to the Appellate Authority. This can also be done if the applicant is not satisfied with the decision made by the PIO regarding their application.

*(source: https://www.godigit.com/passport/process/how-to-file-rti-application-for-passport)

The table below comprises the names and other important information of the Central Public Officer and Appellate Authority:

• FAA Details in the PSP Division

• FAA Details in the PSP Division

CPIO Details in Passport Offices

• FAA Details in Passport Offices

As the passport is an indispensable travel document when you travel internationally, insurance providers help you secure it with comprehensive international travel insurance. With a travel insurance plan, you can be protected against unforeseeable eventualities such as the loss or theft of your passport. You would only need to file a travel insurance claim to get compensated for the necessary charges for making a new passport. In addition to passport protection, the travel insurance by Tata AIG also secures travellers against unfortunate events such as trip curtailments, loss of baggage, natural disasters, medical emergencies, etc.