Police Verification for Passport

A Police Verification of Passport (PVP) is a security measure employed to confirm the applicant's identity, address, and criminal background before issuing a passport. It helps ensure the passport goes to the right person and reduces the risk of fraud or misuse.

The police passport verification process consists of three stages:

No Police Verification - In this stage, there is no direct involvement of the police department in verifying the applicant's credentials. The issuance of passports may rely solely on the documentation provided by the applicant and other administrative procedures. This process is mainly associated with the process of passport reissue police verification.

Pre-Police Verification – This involves preliminary checks conducted by the passport authorities before law enforcement involvement. This stage may include scrutinising the application details, verifying identity documents, and confirming the authenticity of the applicant's information.

Post-Police Verification – This occurs after the initial issuance of the passport. In this stage, the police department conducts further checks and verification processes, which may include physical visits to the applicant's residence, confirming the details provided in the application, and cross-referencing information with criminal databases to ensure the applicant's credibility and security clearance.

The purpose of the process is stated below:

Primary objectives of PVP:

Identity verification: A police officer cross-references the applicant's appearance and documentation with the provided application details.

Address confirmation: The officer physically visits the applicant's residence to validate its authenticity.

Criminal record check: Authorities utilise police databases to identify any prior criminal activity of the applicant.

The overarching benefits of PVP encompass:

Reinforcing national security: Prevents the issuance of passports to individuals who may pose potential threats.

Mitigating identity theft: Reduces instances of individuals obtaining passports through deceptive means.

Enhancing passport integrity: Elevates the credibility and trustworthiness of passports issued by the country.

Also, note that if a passport renewal application is submitted before the current passport expires, there's no need for police verification. Most applicants typically require pre-police verification, except for government employees who can provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) using Annexure G or an identity certificate using Annexure A.

After receiving the passport, a second police verification layer applies, primarily for government, statutory, and public sector employees, exempting them from pre-passport issuance verification.

They may submit their original identity certificate or an NOC based on Annexure A or G respectively, with their application. Post-police verification determines the issuance of their passports.

Usually, the police verification process is initiated when the passport authority notifies the respective police station. However, applicants can also apply for the police verification themselves by visiting the official Passport Seva website.

Here are the steps to apply for police verification for a passport online:

Step 1: Once you apply for the passport or the passport renewal, the passport office will assign the task to your local police station.

Step 2: Your local police station assigns personnel for the physical police verification of passports. They will confirm if you reside at the address mentioned on the passport.

Step 3: The confirmation is passed to the Superintendent of Police Office.

Step 4: The confirmation is sent to the Special Branch headquarters, which keeps all the criminal records.

Step 5: The Special Branch further confirms the data and approves its authenticity.

Step 6: If the Special Branch finds some issue with your application, they send the report to the passport application office. The report reveals 'adverse' to specify the same. If there are no such dubious reports, the Special Branch sends a clear report to the passport application office.

Step 7: Only after this process will the passport office take further steps for your application.

Once your registration is completed, you will need to visit your Passport Seva Kendra on the appointment date. Ensure that you carry all the relevant documents required for the passport police verification process.

Don't wish to wait for the passport authority to raise a police verification request for you? You can request it yourself as well.

The steps are as follows:

• Go to the passport authority's official website

• Click on the 'Register Now' button on the screen

• After the registration process, login with your ID

• Click on the "Apply for Police Clearance Certificate", and a form will open.

• Fill the form with the details to the best of your knowledge

• To make the payment, click on "Pay and Schedule Appointment."

• You will reach the payment page. Pay your passport police verification fees to continue.

• Click on the "Print Application Receipt" option, and an application reference number will be allocated to you.

• You will receive an SMS on your registered mobile number with the same as well.

• Visit the RPO or PSK on the appointment date with your original and photocopies of the documents.

Documents required for Indian Passport Police Verification vary depending on whether you are applying for a new passport or renewing/re-issuing an existing one.

Regardless of the type of passport application, certain documents are necessary to complete the process, even for diplomatic and official passport applications.

**For New Passport Applications, the following documents are typically required during police verification to establish your address and identity:

Address proof documents such as a water bill, electricity bill, or rental agreement.

Identity proof documents, including a birth certificate, Aadhar card, PAN card, ration card, or affidavit.

**When applying for Passport Re-issue/Renewal, the documents needed include:

Your old passport.

Self-attested photocopies of various pages from your passport, including the first and last pages (identification page and address page), ECR/Non-ECR page, a page with information about validity extension, and observation page if applicable.

Additionally, depending on your circumstances, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or Prior Intimation Letter (PI) might be required.

After you have submitted all the necessary documents and information for your passport application at the Passport Seva Kendra, the Pre-Police Verification process begins. The Kendra forwards your address and identity proof to the nearest police station within your jurisdiction.

A designated police officer from your local SP office passport police verification will then conduct a residential status verification at the address provided in your application. During this verification, it's crucial to be physically present at the mentioned address. The officer will visit your residence, verify your identity, and sign the required documents.

Upon successful verification of your address and identity by the police station, they will send a verified report back to the Passport Seva Kendra.

You can expect to receive your passport within 3 to 5 working days.

Also note:

In cases of Post-Police Verification, if there are pending criminal cases or if your application is incomplete, it will be referred to the police station headquarters for further verification. Your passport application may receive an incomplete or adverse status until these issues are resolved.

Additional visits or document submissions may be required if initial verification raises concerns.

For individuals applying for a tatkal passport or holding an official or diplomatic passport, post-police verification may occur after the passport has been issued.

In some cases, you might be called to the police station instead of a home visit.

After police verification, passport status can be checked through four convenient ways:

• Visit the Passport Seva website.

• Dial the toll-free number 1800 258 1800.

• Send an SMS with 'STATUS FILE NUMBER' to 9704 100 100.

• Use the mPassport Seva mobile app.

• Passport police verification comes under three groups. They are as follows:

Clear: When all your information gets verified and approved. It includes the Police personnel, the Superintendent of Police, and the Special Branch. It indicates that the applicant's criminal record is clear.

Adverse: If the police or the Special Branch finds some dubious reports, they tag the application as 'Adverse'. It might lead to withholding or cancellation of the application. You must ensure that all the information you provide is accurate.

Incomplete: If the police do not fill out the report, your application status might show 'Incomplete'. It could be a result of the police not being sure of your residential information.

There are certain instances wherein police verification is not needed. However, this decision relies on the passport office. These instances are as follows:

Police verification is not needed if a passport is being renewed before expiry. The applicant only needs to submit the NOC along with the proof of police verification.

Government employees who apply for the passport by sharing their identification certificate through Annexure B needn’t undergo police verification.

Individuals with a diplomatic passport need not undergo verification for an ordinary passport. They will only be expected to share their identity certificate through Annexure B.

Are you wondering, “after police verification, how much time it takes for a passport to be dispatched?” It varies from individual to individual, depending on your police verifications.

Pre-passport police verification:

It takes three working days after the application centre receives the police verification report.

Post-passport police verification:

It takes around three working days and does not include the application submission date. But the wait is less as you need not wait for the police and verification reports. In the case of Tatkal, it is three working days as well.

No police verification:

In such cases, the time to dispatch the passport is three working days, excluding the date of application. But, if you have applied in Tatkal Quota, the time is only one working day. It excludes the password application date.

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Obtaining a passport can be thrilling, but police verification often adds confusion. This guide aims to demystify the process, equipping you with knowledge about No, Pre, and Post verification scenarios and what to expect during the visit. Remember, preparation is key. Ensure you have the necessary documents, maintain open communication, and honestly address any concerns.

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How long does it take for my passport to arrive after police verification?

Once your police verification process is completed and approved, you can anticipate receiving your passport within 3 to 5 working days.

Is police verification required for minors applying for a passport?

No, police verification is not mandatory for applicants who are minors, typically those below 18 years of age. However, it's essential to ensure that all other necessary documentation and procedures for the minor's passport application are completed accurately and in accordance with the requirements outlined by the Passport Seva Kendra.

Under what circumstances is police verification waived for passport applications?

Police verification may be waived in various situations, including passport renewals, specific conditions for government employees, and for holders of diplomatic passports seeking ordinary passports.

This exemption streamlines the passport application process for individuals meeting these criteria, expediting the issuance of passports without the need for traditional police verification procedures.