It’s fairly easy to track your passport application status. All you need is your Application Receipt Number (ARN) from your application receipt for the tracking of speed post passports. It’s important to note that the passport must be received by you when it is shipped to your residence, not anyone else.

After you complete your application process and in-person interview at the passport office, you are notified via text of when the police verification will be. You are notified by text again of when you will receive your passport after completing the police verification process.

You can also check your passport’s status online on the Passport Seva Kendra official website, in addition to tracking your passport with speed post. Here is a step-by-step process on how to do that:

1. Visit the Passport Seva Kendra website.
2. Login to your account.
3. Click on “Track Application Status” on the home page.
4. On the next page, enter your Application Receipt Number (ARN), select your application type and enter your date of birth.
5. Choose the “Passport/PCC/IP/ GEP” option.
6. Click “Track Status”
7. After which, the page will display your passport’s application status and in what stage it’s currently at.

Note: Always enter your ARN number as is, ie. If some letters are capitalised, they must be capitalised when entering them onto any tracking application or page.

In some cases, after your passport has been dispatched, you will receive a 13-digit tracking number you can use to track your passport’s arrival. In addition, you can track your passport’s en-route location through the speed post service on the India post website.

Passport tracking via speed post is a very simple process. Here is a step-by-step process on how to do that:

1. Visit the India Post’s official website.
2. Click on the track consignment option.
3. On the consignment number field, enter the 13-digit number you received through text or email.
4. Enter the correct captcha and click on the “Track Package” button.
5. The page will display the en-route status of your package - In this case, your passport.

Note: Always make sure to enter your consignment number as is. Meaning if some letters are capitalised, they must remain capitalised when you’re entering them onto a tracking application.

In case you can’t find any information on the tracking status of your passport. It might not necessarily be that your passport hasn’t been dispatched. It might just mean that the tracking information hasn’t been entered into the system yet, or hasn’t been updated yet.

Another case where this can happen is if your passport is dispatched through foreign postal service providers or is dispatched to a rural location.

With speed post services, you also have the option of SMS tracking. When you receive a tracking number through text, you are also provided contact details and a number as a means to track your package through SMS.

Here’s how to track your passport through speed post via SMS:

1. To check your passport status, type “POST track < 13 digit article number >” and send it to the number you were provided.

Note: You will also get these instructions sent to you via the first text you receive detailing the consignment number. If the format in the text message differs from the one stated here, follow the format that was sent to you. SMS rates charged by your network provider will still apply here. So you can use this method on any network provider you’re currently subscribed to. Additionally, the status is only available for 60 days after sending the SMS.

Yes, in some emergencies, you can collect your passport directly from your Regional Post Office (RPO). However, it must be you collecting it and not anybody else. Before collecting your passport, you must fill out an application form stating the reasons why you need your passport urgently.

The RPO officers can either accept or reject your application to collect your passport in person.

In some cases, the applicant doesn’t receive their passport. This may be because there was some delay during the shipping process. In some rare cases, you might find that the speed post personnel can’t locate your passport. Or, it might have gone uncollected because you weren’t at home during the time of delivery.

In these cases, contact your regional post office for further assistance on this issue. Chances are, your passport is probably held at the post office, or it has been returned to the passport office.

The speed post website gives you current information on your package (your passport) that’s currently being shipped. The information you will get will include details like:

• The date and time your passport was received.
• The date and time your passport was dispatched.
• The various locations and their corresponding dates your passport was shipped to while en route.
• The date your passport was delivered to your residence.
• Confirmation that your passport has been received.

All the processes stated and explained here can be done online. As you can see, the passport speed post-tracking process is an effortless procedure. All your need is the consignment number to track your package.

And, if you are planning to travel abroad, purchasing travel insurance after you receive your passport should be next on your to-do list. Tata AIG’s travel insurance claims process allows you to file claims internationally, and their international travel insurance plans provide Covid-19 as well. You can also get coverage for medical emergencies and lost luggage.