Passport Office in Kollam
Passport Office in Kollam
Kollam is a southern district of Kerala and is the state's fourth-largest city, located near its capital Thiruvananthapuram (also known as Trivandrum). The city houses the headquarters of the District Administration. There are no regular flights to the city of Kollam, so the city is mainly connected to other major cities by train. Another way to reach the city is by bus.
The city's nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, located in Thiruvananthapuram, which is 51 km away from the city. The other closest airport is in Kochi (Kochi Airport (COK)), which is 129 km away.
The city’s primary facility most travellers appreciate, however, is the Passport Seva Kendra office in Kollam. The Passport Seva in Kollam is a crucial facility for those wishing to apply for or renew their passports when travelling overseas.
Passport Seva Kendra In Kollam
A passport is a crucial document that serves as a person's ID when they travel to places outside of India. So anyone wanting to travel overseas, whether it be for work or leisure, needs a valid passport issued by a recognised government authority.
So anyone living in Kollam that wants to apply for a passport needs to apply at the PSK in Kollam or at the Regional Post Office that caters to the district. Applicants are also advised to visit their jurisdictional passport office's homepage if they want to know any specific details about additional documents they need to bring, if any.
As of now, there is one passport office in Kollam. The Passport Seva Kendra in Kollam offers services like passport re-issue/renewal, applications for fresh new passports, passport detail changes, police clearance certificates, and many other related services.
Contact Details Of The Passport Seva Kendra In Kollam
Here are the basic contact details like the passport office Kollam phone number, the passport office Kollam address, and the opening and closing times of the PSK in Kollam for anyone residing in Kollam that wants to apply for a passport.
Address:
74 Building # MC VIII / 1578 / 715 A SN Trust Complex,
Near Kollam Municipal Corporation Office, Vellappally Nagar,
Kollam, Kerala 691320.
**Hours Open: **
(Closes at 5:30 pm on weekdays and is closed on all public holidays).
Monday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Friday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
National Call Centre/Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS): 1800 258 1800
The Regional Passport Office — Kollam
The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, designate regional passport offices for each district. These offices are headed by a regional passport officer. There are currently 37 regional passport offices in India, one for every region. The PSK and POPSK offices in various cities across India operate under their respective Regional Passport Offices (RPOs).
The Regional Passport Office in Thiruvananthapuram (also known as Trivandrum) was established in 1992 and has been operating since. It's located in Kaithamukku, Thiruvananthapuram, and it caters to the Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts of Kerala.
Much like PSK offices that offer front-end services, an RPO also offers passport re-issue/renewal services, new passport applications, police clearance certificates, etc. Applicants living in Kollam who want to apply for a passport can apply either at the Passport Seva Kendra in Kollam or the Regional Passport Office in Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum. On the Passport Seva site, you'll find that Thiruvananthapuram is spelt as Trivandrum. They are both the same place, in case this was a cause for any confusion.
Contact Details Of The Regional Passport Office In Trivandrum
Here are the basic contact details of the RPO located in Trivandrum, like the RPO address, phone number, and opening and closing hours.
Address:
SNSM Buildings, Petta, Karalkada Junction,
Pettah P.O., Kaithamukku,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695024
Hours Open:
Closed during Saturdays, Sundays and other public holidays, recognised by the Kerala State Government.
Monday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Friday: 9 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
National Call Centre/Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS): 1800 258 1800
Jurisdiction:
Kollam City, Kollam Rural, Pathanamthitta, Trivandrum City, and Trivandrum Rural.
Additional Contact Details Of The Regional Passport Office In Trivandrum
Here are some additional contact details for the RPO in Trivandrum in case you have any queries that you want to direct towards the regional passport officer, the grievance cell officer, or the public grievance cell.
Contact Details Of The Trivandrum Regional Passport Officer
Parameter | Details |
---|---|
Name Of The Officer | Ms Jeeva Maria Joy |
Address | SNSM Building, Karalkada Junction, Pettah. P.O., Trivandrum, Kerala-695024 |
Contact Number | 0471 2470225, 0471 2460132 |
Fax Number | 0471 2461132 |
Email ID | po.trivandrum@mea.gov.in |
**Contact Details Of The Trivandrum Grievance Cell Officer **
Parameter | Details |
---|---|
Name Of The Officer | Smt. A. Brinda, Assistant Passport Officer (APO) |
Contact Number | 0471 2573394 0471 2460132 |
**Contact Details Of The Public Grievance Cell **
Parameter | Details |
---|---|
Name Of The Officer | Shri Bal Krishan |
Address | Public Grievance Officer: PSP Division, Ministry of External Affairs Room No. 24, Patiala House Tilak Marg, New Delhi - 110001 |
Contact Number | +91 11 23384497 +91 11 23384519 |
Fax Number | +91 11 23384461 |
Email ID | passport.pg@mea.gov.in |
Applying For A Passport At The Passport Seva Kendra In Kollam
With the introduction of the Passport Seva Project (PSP) in May 2010, it's now possible to apply for a passport from anywhere in India. The PSK website facilitates the application process, and the PSK offices offer front-end services that verify the new passport applications that come in from the site.
Any Indian citizen residing in Kollum can apply for a passport through the Passport Seva project online or offline. This includes minors (under 18) and adults (over 18). It can be done either way, according to the applicant's preference. You can also apply for a passport under either a Regular scheme or a Tatkal scheme depending on how quick you want the application process to be.
The steps will be the same for both schemes, with only differing fees and some additional documents depending on the chosen scheme.
How To Apply For A Passport At The Passport Seva Kendra In Kollam
Here are step-by-step guides for the online and offline processes on how to apply for a new passport if you live in the Kollum district in Kerala.
- Online Passport Application Process In Kollum
This is the more convenient way of application as you can register, apply, pay and schedule your passport appointment all in one go, using the Passport Seva website. So if possible, it's advised that you go the online application route.
Here is a step-by-step on the online application method:
Visit the Passport Seva official website.
Register for an account using a valid email ID that's currently in use. You can do this by clicking "New User Registration" on the homepage and filling in the details on the generated form.
Click "Register" after filling in the fields, and you will receive a confirmation email for account verification. Click on the link provided in the mail to verify your account.
Next, log in using your registered credentials and click "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport". This will generate an online application form.
You can fill in the form online and submit it, or you can download the E-form from here. If you choose to download the E-Form,
a. You will have a PDF file that you must fill in. After filling in all your details on the form, click "Save and Validate", and it will generate an XML file.
b. You must upload to XML file onto the website and not the PDF file, as the site only accepts XML formats. You can upload the file by clicking on the "Upload E-form" link.
After filling in the form and uploading the supporting documents, click "Proceed", and you will be directed to pay the application fee. This fee is non-refundable.
It can be paid by any online payment method, but it must be done through the Passport Seva website. Some payment methods include credit, debit, net baking, SBI Bank challan, UPI, etc.
Once your payment has been processed, you must book an appointment for your passport interview at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra in Kollam.
You must also download and print the application receipt that contains your application reference number (ARN) to present at the PSK in Kollam with all your supporting documents (copies and originals) on the day of your in-person passport interview.
Your passport will be dispatched to you through the post service the PSK employs once all your documents have been verified and after you've passed the police verification process.
Note: You can reschedule your appointment a maximum of two times, after which your appointment will be cancelled. When this happens, you can either attend the last allotted appointment slot or register for a new account and repeat the application process.
- Offline Passport Application Process In Kollum
Since the process is done offline, to apply for a passport in Kollum, you must visit the PSK passport office in Kollam, ask for the application form, and pay the concurrent fee. Another way to get the application form would be to download the form on the Passport Seva website.
Here is a step-by-step on how you can apply for a new passport at the PSK in Kollum.
Visit the PSK passport office in Kollam and ask for the application form at the front desk. You must pay a nominal fee for the application form as well. Or you can download the application form here.
The form should be printed back-to-back on an A4 sheet and correctly filled in with all the relevant details.
When submitting the application form, you'll need to bring along the necessary supporting documents to submit as well. Remember to bring both the originals and copies of the original documents for the application process.
Your documents will be verified at the PSK in Kollum. After which, you will be scheduled to attend a police verification process as the final step of your application process.
You will only get your passport after passing the police verification process. After which, it will be dispatched to your registered address through a post service.
Supporting Documents Needed
To apply for a passport in Kollum, you will need documents to verify your identity, address and educational qualifications. Additionally, you will also be required to present your birth certificate.
Here are the documents you will need:
Identity Proof Documents: Aadhar, PAN card, Voter ID, Ration card, etc.
Address Proof Documents: Any utility bills (electricity, water, gas, etc.) that state your current residential address, Aadhar, PAN card, Income Tax Returns (ITR), Bank passbook, etc.
Educational Qualification Documents (for Regular/Non-ECR Passports): HSC and/or SSLC certificates, college Bachelor's degree or Master's degree (if available), or other qualifying educational certificates issued under a recognised board of education.
Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Authority
Tracking Your Passport Using Passport Seva Kendra In Kollam
After you’ve attended your passport interview at the PSK in Kollum, you can track your passport application progress using the “Track Application Status” on the Passport Seva website. All you will need is your application reference number (ARN), so remember to maintain your application receipt even after your passport interview.
You’ll simply need to input your ARN number and date of birth here and click “Track Status” to know the application status.
After passing your police verification, you can also track your passport when it’s been dispatched. This can be done through the postal service’s (Usually India Post) website using the package’s consignment number you will receive through SMS.
How Does Travel Insurance Tie Into This?
While we are on the topic of passports, another key resource you need when travelling abroad is an overseas travel insurance plan. Most avid travellers invest in a travel insurance plan to cover any financial costs incurred during last-minute changes to their travel plans.
This can include things flight cancellations which can end up being a lost expense since getting a refund from most airlines can be tricky due to their ever-changing prices and rules regarding flight tickets.
A travel insurance policy from Tata AIG gives you additional benefits like Covid-19 coverage, baggage covers in case of lost or delayed luggage, and medical covers in case of any medical emergencies during your trip.
So if you stumble into any emergencies during your trip, you can file a claim under your travel insurance policy that can help cover the expenses you would have otherwise lost without a travel insurance plan.
Conclusion
This was a full run-down on the passport office in Kollam. As you can see, the application process for a new passport in Kollum is the same as for other districts in India. So, any Indian citizen residing in Kollum can apply for a passport using the Passport Seva service. The PSK in Kollum offers you a quick and transparent application process.
Disclaimer / TnC
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.