Passport Office in Kottayam
Passport Office in Kottayam
Kottayam, known as the ‘City of Letters’, is a city in the central part of Kerela that attracts tourists from all over the world who come to witness its beauty and charm. The city's residents also travel to foreign countries in search of jobs, education and tourism.
For this reason, the demand for passports and related services is always there.
The PSK in Kottayam was established to provide timely passport-related services to the city's residents. It offers several services to the residents, enabling them to travel overseas. If you want to apply for a passport, you can do so through the passport office in Kottayam.
Read on to learn details about the passport seva in Kottayam, the passport application process, charges and more.
The Regional Passport Office in Kottayam
Since Kottayam is under the jurisdiction of the Cochin RPO, there is no regional passport office in Kottayam. Instead, there is a PSK Kottayam that caters to all the residents' passport requirements.
The Passport Seva Kendra is an extended branch which functions under an RPO. The PSK carries out the following functions:
Issuing new passports to the residents
Providing tatkaal passport services
Reissuing and renewing the passport when they expire
Issuing tokens
Providing police clearance certificate
Verifying passport applications
Printing, dispatching, and delivering passports
Since there is a passport office in Kottayam, the residents can conveniently apply for passports and other related services without much difficulty.
Passport Office in Kottayam: Contact Number and Other Details
At times, you may have some passport-related queries or may need to know about specific processes related to the passport. In such a scenario, you must seek assistance from the officers at the passport office.
For this purpose, you can utilize the PSK Kottayam address or phone number mentioned below.
| Address | Kalisseril Commercial Complex, No 1265 - B, B1, Olive Celestina, TB Road, Kottayam - 686001 |
|---|---|
| Passport office Kottayam contact number | 0484-2315152 |
| Email Id | rpo.cochin@mea.gov.in |
| National Call Centre/ IVRS | 1800 258 1800 |
| Details of the Public Grievance Cell | |
| Parameter | Details |
| Officer Name | Shri Bal Krishan Public Grievance Officer PSP Division, Ministry of External Affairs Room No. 24, Patiala House Tilak Marg, New Delhi - 110001 |
| Address | Public Grievance Officer |
| Telephone Number | +91 11 23384497/23384519 |
| Fax Number | -23384381 |
| Email Id | passport.pg@mea.gov.in |
Applying for a Passport in Kottayam
A passport is one of the primary documents that establishes an individual's identity in India and abroad. Therefore, if you wish to travel abroad for academics, business, or tourism, you must have a valid passport.
Following are the types of passports and the eligibility criteria to apply for the same:
| Passport Type | Colour Code | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary | Blue | Ordinary citizens |
| Official | Indian govt. officials | White |
| Diplomatic | Indian Foreign Services Officials | Maroon |
The ECR category passport (orange colour) was previously available but has been discontinued now. Citizens who still needed to complete their 10th-grade qualification were eligible to apply for this category of passport.
How to Apply for a Passport Using Passport Seva in Kottayam
As a part of the initiative to speed up the passport application and delivery process, the government has set up many PSKs all across the country. If you are a resident of Kottayam, Kerala, you can approach the PSK Kottayam to avail of all passport-related services.
The passport office provides various services such as issuance of new passport, renewal, reissue, change of details on the passport, etc.
However, one must take caution to make a Kottayam passport office appointment prior to the visit. The passport office does not address any queries without an appointment, except in case of emergency or medical reasons.
If you want to apply for an ordinary passport, a fee of ₹1500 is applicable. You can also apply for a passport under the Tatkal scheme by paying a fee of ₹3000.
The application fee also depends on the applicant's age, the number of pages required, the scheme, etc. The fee structure details for different types of applications are here.
Online Passport Application Process in Kottayam
A very convenient and hassle-free way to apply for a passport is through the online method. You can complete the application easily from the comfort of your home. Here are the steps that you must follow for a successful online application.
Visit the official website of Passport Seva.
First-time users must create an account by navigating to the “ New User Registration” tab.
Create an account with the help of an email ID and phone number. Set a username and password for your account.
Enter all the details for registration. Then, click “Register.”
Next, you must verify the account by clicking the link sent to your email ID.
Log in to the passport portal.
Select the option “Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport” on the left-hand side.
Next, you must carefully go through the application form and fill it out with accurate information. You can either fill out the form online or offline.
Once you have filled out the form, click on “View Saved or Submitted Application. Then, select “Pay and Schedule Appointment.”
You must pay the application fee online from one of the following methods:
Debit card/credit card
Internet banking
SBI bank challan
After the payment is complete, save the payment receipt as proof.
Schedule an appointment to visit the passport office during the Kottayam passport office timings.
When you visit the passport office, carry all the necessary documents and application receipts.
As instructed, go to counters A, B, and C at the PSK Kottayam and complete the verification process.
After the details are verified, a background check will be conducted. If the results are positive, your passport will be dispatched to the registered address.
Note: In case the passport application is for a minor, you must carry a passport-sized photograph with a white background measuring 4.5cm x 3.5 cm.
Offline Passport Application Process In Kottayam
The entire passport application process is online except the form-filling part, which can be done online or offline at your convenience. Here is what you need to do to fill out the form offline.
To fill out the application form offline, you must download it from the Passport Seva page under the “Forms and Affidavits” tabs.
Once the form is downloaded to your system, you must fill it out and save it. Then, upload it on the passport portal using the “Upload E Form” link.
Proceed to pay the application fee and schedule an appointment at the passport office.
Visit the passport office on the appointed day and complete the formalities.
Documents Needed to Apply for a Passport in Kottayam
Your passport application is complete only if you submit the required documents. You are required to submit documents to prove your identity, address, etc. Here is the list of documents that you must submit along with the passport application at the PSK in Kottayam.
Date of birth proof: Birth certificate, PAN card, driving licence.
Identity proof with photograph: Voter ID, Aadhaar card, driving licence
Address proof: electricity bills, Aadhaar card, rent agreement.
Proof of nationality
How Can You Track Your Passport in Kottayam?
Similar to the passport application, you can also track the passport status online using the Passport Seva portal. Here are a few simple steps to track the application status.
Open the Passport Seva website.
Select the “Track Application Status” option.
On the following page, click the dropdown menu and select "Passport/PCC/IC/GEP.
Enter the birth date and application/file number.
Click “Track Status”
You can see the exact status of your passport application.
After a successful police verification, the passport office will dispatch your passport to the registered address. You can track your passport after it has been dispatched through the consignment number sent to your mobile number.
Is it Possible to Get Your Passport Quickly in Kottayam?
Yes, if you want your passport quickly, you can apply for one under the Tatkal scheme. When you apply through the Tatkal scheme, you can receive the passport within 1-3 working days.
Also, due to the establishment of PSKs and RPOs in various cities, the process of passport issuance has been fast-tracked.
Under the ordinary category passport, the ministry is committed to issuing the passport in 30 working days. In the case of reissue and renewal of passports, where no pre-police verification is required, the time required is only 7 days.
When police verification is required for renewal and reissue, the time taken is 30 days.
Conclusion
The government has successfully streamlined the process of passport application in India by introducing the online PSK portal. Many Passport Seva Kendras and Regional Passport Offices have been set up in multiple cities so passports can be processed and dispatched faster.
People in Kottayam can conveniently take advantage of the passport office in Kottayam and access passport-related services. One can apply for the passport online on the official portal and visit the passport office for verification purposes.
The online process has eliminated the need for waiting in long queues at passport offices.
You can visit the passport office with a prior appointment in case you have any queries. You may also reach out to the officials on the passport office contact number and seek assistance.
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