How to Identify Fake Indian Passport - A Complete Guide

The Government of India issues the Indian passport to its citizens, and it acts as an official document for international travel.

The Government issues three primary types of passports, based on the category of the passport holder.

• Ordinary passport (blue cover) - It is issued to general citizens for personal travel.
• Official passport (white cover) - It is for government officials travelling for official duties.
• Diplomatic passport (maroon cover) - It is reserved for Indian diplomats and top-ranking government representatives.

The new E-passport, introduced recently, includes a biometric chip to enhance security and reduce instances of creating fake passport India.

A genuine Indian passport has several security features. These include a unique passport number, embedded holograms, high-quality lamination, watermarks, and micro-text that is hard to duplicate. The holder’s signature, photograph, and details are printed clearly and match the information stored digitally.

Two critical security features of Indian passports are the passport file number and the MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) code. The file number helps track the application status, while the MRZ code at the bottom of the identity page allows for digital scanning and verification. These features help people identify a fake Indian passport.

A fake passport is a forged or altered travel document created to deceive authorities by imitating the appearance of a genuine passport. Such a fake document may include forged personal details of an individual, an invalid or duplicated passport number, poor-quality lamination, and incorrect fonts or holograms.

Fraudsters use these fake Indian passports for illegal immigration, identity theft, or financial fraud.

Unlike legitimate passports issued by the Government of India, fake ones mostly fail to meet security standards such as the MRZ code, watermark, or chip in e-passports.

• Poor Quality Printing or Wrong Lamination: A real Indian passport uses high-quality printing and professional lamination. If the text appears smudged, unclear, or the lamination feels loose or uneven, the passport may be a fake.

• Incorrect Emblem or Missing Ashoka Chakra: The national emblem and the Ashoka Chakra are vital symbols. A fake Indian passport may show a distorted emblem, missing chakra, or even spelling errors in Hindi or English.

• Mismatch in Colour Shades: Original Indian passports come in standard colours (dark navy blue, white and maroon). If the cover looks lighter or overly glossy, chances are that it is a forged one.

• Missing or Duplicate Page Numbers: Every page in a genuine passport has a unique number. If you notice a page number missing or repeated, it is a sign of a passport fake case. Always flip through the entire booklet to ensure it is not a fake passport number.

• Low-Grade Paper or Odd Booklet Binding: A real passport uses a special type of durable paper. If the paper feels thin, cheap, or the binding looks like it was manually stapled or glued, it may be a forged one.

• Misaligned Personal Details: Check the alignment of the name, date of birth (DOB), and address on the photo page. These details should be evenly spaced, well-aligned, and clearly printed. Misalignment often suggests tampering.

• Inconsistent Fonts or Ink Colour: Look at the fonts, ink colour, and spacing. Genuine passports use consistent fonts and black ink. A fake Indian passport may show uneven spacing or mixed font styles. If the ink looks faded or mismatched across different fields, it could be another sign of forgery.

• Suspicious Passport Number Format: Pay close attention to the passport number format. A genuine Indian passport number follows a set alphanumeric pattern. If you see a mismatch in the pattern, it may be fake. Always check for a dummy passport number that does not match the official format.

• Indian Passport Number Check: Use government portals for an Indian passport number check to cross-reference the number and personal details. These basic checks can help you spot identity fraud early and avoid serious issues during travel, visa processing, or document verification.

Watermarks and Holograms

Every original Indian passport includes an embedded watermark visible when held up to light. You will also notice holographic elements, usually near the photograph, that shift colour or pattern when tilted. These are nearly impossible to replicate and help verify passport numbers and catch forged documents quickly.

Microprinting and UV Marks

If you look closely at the pages, especially near the edges or borders, you will find tiny, fine text. This is called microprinting. It may look like a straight line to the naked eye, but under magnification, the letters are clear. The passport also includes security patterns that glow under ultraviolet (UV) light. These marks stay invisible unless scanned under specific conditions.

Raised Ink Printing (Intaglio)

Try running your fingers across the front cover. You will feel raised lettering, especially over the word “Passport” and the national emblem. This raised texture is created using a special printing technique called intaglio, and most passport fake cases skip it altogether.

Digital Photograph and Laser-Cut Passport Number

In a real passport, the photo is digitally printed onto the page. It is not glued on. The passport number is printed and also laser-perforated across the pages. Hold it to the light and you will spot the holes forming each number. That is a clear sign of authenticity.

Chip in E-passports

If you are checking a newer Indian passport, check the back cover for a chip symbol. E-passports contain a chip that holds biometric information, which can be scanned and verified. Any tampering attempt will damage the chip, and it will be detected by the border control systems.

Machine Readable Zone (MRZ)

At the bottom of the photo page, you will see two lines of text with numbers and symbols. That is the MRZ. It allows quick scanning at airports and matches the personal details digitally. If the code is misaligned or contains errors, it is a red flag.

When you are unsure about a passport’s authenticity, going online is a good way to start. The Indian government has made the process relatively simple for individuals.

Check on Passport Seva Portal

Open the Passport Seva website and enter the file number along with the date of birth to see the status. This quick step can tell you if the passport is still under process, already issued, or if the number just does not exist. It is useful when checking for errors or spotting a fake passport.

Get in Touch with the Regional Passport Office (RPO)

This is a more manual option, but highly reliable. You can visit or call your nearest Regional Passport Office or Passport Seva Kendra. Provide them with the passport number or file number, and they can confirm whether the passport was genuinely issued. This is especially important if you suspect a dummy passport number.

Immigration officers use several specialised tools to detect forged or tampered passports. These tools help them verify passport numbers.

(Machine Readable Zone) MRZ Readers

As stated before, at the bottom of the passport’s photo page, there is a row of letters and numbers, which is the MRZ. These are scanned using a reader that instantly pulls up the passport’s digital details. If there is a mismatch, it is a warning sign of a passport fake case.

Passport Reading Machines (PRMs) and QDX Devices

At most international airports, officers use Passport Reading Machines (PRMs) to scan travel documents in seconds. These machines detect alterations that may not be visible otherwise. In addition, Questionable Document Examiner (QDX) tools are used to detect advanced forgeries by examining the document’s structure, ink quality, and built-in security features.

Immigration Control System (ICS)

The Immigration Control System software plays a big role behind the scenes. When your passport is scanned, this tool cross-verifies all the details instantly. It checks for signs of fake passport numbers, impersonation or stolen identity by matching passport data with immigration records.

Letter Screen Image (LSI) Feature in Passports

A newer addition to passport security is the Letter Screen Image (LSI), which is found on the data page. This hidden image appears when the page is tilted under light, making it harder for forgers to alter names, numbers, or dates without being caught.

Chip Readers

Newer Indian e-passports have a chip embedded in them. Officers place the booklet on a scanner, and the chip reveals your biometric data, like your photo and fingerprints. If the chip fails to read or the data does not match the printed info, the passport can be rejected for being a fake passport number.

UV Light Scanners

Officers use ultraviolet (UV) light scanners to check for hidden security features. Genuine Indian passports include UV-reactive patterns, invisible fluorescent inks, fluorescent fibres, holograms and other features. If these elements are missing, the passport may be fake.

Biometric Verification Devices

You will also notice fingerprint scanners or facial recognition systems at some counters. These are used to double-check if the person in front of the officer is the same as the one in the document.

• Altering Personal Details: Forgers often take a real passport and change key details like the name, date of birth, or photo. They may scrape off the original ink and reprint the data using a standard printer. This method is risky but still widely used.

• Using Dummy Passport Numbers: Fake passports sometimes carry a dummy passport number that does not follow the official Indian format. These numbers may look convincing at a glance, but do not pass an Indian passport number check through official portals.

• Forging MRZ Codes: The Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the identity page is another target. Forgers try to replicate these lines of code, but a proper MRZ reader can detect errors in spacing, alignment, or content.

• Replicating Emblems and Watermarks: Forgers try to copy the national emblem, holograms, and watermarks using design software. But these imitations usually miss the precision, texture, and depth found in authentic features. Trained eyes can easily spot the difference.

• Using Low-Quality Paper and Ink: Fake passports are generally printed on poor-quality paper that feels different from the official booklet. Ink may appear faded or smudged, especially under UV light.

• Stitching Pages from Multiple Passports: In some cases, pages from different passports are removed and combined to form one passport fake document. Mismatched page numbers or binding style may give this tactic away.

• Report to Local Police or Cybercrime Cell: Visit your nearest police station or contact the cybercrime cell. Timely reporting helps stop fraudulent activity.

• Notify Passport Authorities or RPO: Inform the Regional Passport Office (RPO) or the official passport helpline for immediate verification.

• Contact the Embassy (If Abroad): If you are outside India, contact the nearest Indian embassy or consulate to report the suspicious passport and seek further guidance.

• Apply Only Through Authorised Channels: Always apply for your passport using the official Passport Seva website or authorised passport service centres. Avoid backdoor methods or shortcuts.

• Avoid Unapproved Agents: Do not trust agents who claim to fast-track the process without proper credentials. Only work with agents approved by the Government of India.

• Track Application Status Regularly: Use your file number or reference number to track your passport’s progress online. Regular tracking ensures transparency and prevents unexpected surprises.

• Keep Passport Details Private: Never share your passport number, file number, or scanned copies with unknown individuals or companies. Scammers often use this data to create dummy passport numbers or commit identity fraud.

Spotting a fake Indian passport requires a close look at both physical and digital details. Every detail matters, such as poor lamination and spelling errors, to a suspicious passport number or forged MRZ code. Taking time to verify the passport can help you avoid fraud, legal trouble, or identity theft.

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