Passport Appointment - Availability Check, Date, Documents Required & How to Book Passport Appointment

Booking a passport appointment is necessary for anyone applying for a new passport, reissue, or renewal in India. The process is fully online, making it easier to check passport appointment availability, select a convenient date, and submit the required documents.

Key Highlights:

1. Passport appointment availability check: Through the Passport Seva website.
2. Types of passport appointment: Normal or Tatkal appointments for issuance or re-issuance of a passport.
3. Passport appointment booking: By logging into the Passport Seva website.
4. Documents required: Old passport, ID proof, address proof, DOB poof 
5. Fees: ₹1,000 to ₹3,500, depending on your age, application type and passport pages.

What is a Passport Appointment?

A passport appointment is a scheduled date and time slot that applicants must book to visit a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) to apply for a passport (fresh, re-issue or renewal). During this appointment:

• Applicants submit their application reference number and documents.
• Biometric data, such as fingerprints and photographs, is captured.
• Verification of supporting documents is carried out.

Passport Appointment Availability

Checking passport appointment availability is the first step before booking. The availability depends on location, workload at the passport office, and demand.

Below is how you can check availability:

Step 1: Go to the official Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Select the ‘Passport Office’ and the ‘Passport Seva Kendra’.

Step 3: Click on ‘Check Appointment Availability’ to see what slots are available for booking.

Passport Appointment Date

Once availability is confirmed, applicants can book a convenient passport appointment date. It is advisable to choose a date when all documents are ready and travel plans are considered.

Key points about appointment dates:

• Early morning slots tend to fill up first.
• Dates may vary depending on demand in metro vs. smaller cities.
• Tatkal applications may have faster date options compared to normal processing.

Types of Passport Appointments

The Passport Seva system has two main ways to schedule appointments, based on the urgency and choice of the applicant:

Normal Appointment

• The standard processing period.
• It will usually take longer to get appointment dates in the high-demand regions.
• Suitable for those with no urgent travel plans.

Tatkal Appointment

• Fast-track processing.
• Daily limited slots are released and filled quickly.
• Requires additional fees and specific supporting documents.

How to Book a Passport Appointment Online?

Here are the key steps to book a passport appointment online:

Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Click on 'Register’ and complete the registration. Once registered, log in using your credentials.

Step 3: Fill out the application form for application for a fresh passport/ re-issue of passport.

Step 4: Pay the required passport fee.

Step 5: Check the availability of your passport appointment at your regional office.

Step 6: Select your preferred passport appointment date.

Step 7: Confirm booking and download the appointment letter.

Passport Appointment Documents

The required documents vary depending on whether you are applying for a new passport, a reissue, or under Tatkal. Key documents include:

• Proof of identity, any one of the following:
  • Aadhaar card 
  • Voter ID
  • PAN card
  • Driving licence
  • Government employee ID card
• Proof of address, any one of the following:
  • Electricity bill
  • Rent agreement
  • Aadhaar card with address
  • Bank statement/Passbook (last 12 months)
  • Income tax assessment order
  • Employer’s certificate (if in government/PSU service)
• Date of birth proof, any one of the following:
  • Birth certificate
  • School leaving certificate
  • SSC (Secondary School) certificate
  • PAN card
• Old passport 
• Supporting documents for the Tatkal category
• Verification certificate
• Affidavit

Fees & Payment Methods

The fees for applying for a passport depend on the type of application (Normal or Tatkal), the applicant’s age, and the number of pages allotted to the passport booklet by the individual.

Normal category fees (36 pages):

• Adults: ₹1,500
• Minors (under 15 years): ₹1,000

Tatkal category fees (36 pages):

• Adults: ₹3,500
• Minors: ₹3,000

Payment methods available:

• Debit/credit card
• Internet banking
• UPI
• SBI challan (offline option)

Passport Appointment Reschedule or Cancellation

Sometimes plans change, and applicants may need to modify their booking. The Passport Seva system provides options to reschedule or cancel appointments.

Reschedule of Passport Appointment

Rescheduling of a passport appointment is allowed up to two times per application. Here are the steps involved:

Step 1: Log in to the Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Go to ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’.

Step 3: Select your ARN (Application Reference Number).

Step 4: Choose ‘Reschedule Appointment’.

Step 5: Check passport appointment availability and select a new date.

Step 6: Confirm the changes and download the updated appointment letter.

Cancellation of Passport Appointment

If an applicant is unable to attend on the appointment date, it can be cancelled online. However, fees are generally non-refundable, except in limited cases (such as system failure or double booking). Below are the steps to cancel:

Step 1: Log in to the Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Click on ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’.

Step 3: Select your ARN and click on ‘Cancel the Appointment’.

Step 4: Confirm cancellation.

Step 5: Download the cancellation receipt for your reference.

Passport Appointment Letter Download

Once the appointment is confirmed, applicants must download the appointment confirmation letter. This document is mandatory to enter the Passport Seva Kendra. Below are the steps to download the appointment letter:

Step 1: Log in to the Passport Seva website.

Step 2: Go to ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’.

Step 3: Select your ARN (Application Reference Number).

Step 4: Download and print the appointment letter.

Passport Appointment Status Check

Status checking helps confirm the validity of appointment booking and ensures that very important updates are not missed. To check the status of a passport appointment, follow the process below:

Step 1: Log in to the Passport Seva website and click on the ‘Track Application Status’ tab.

Step 2: Provide your ARN (Application Reference Number) and date of birth.

Step 3: The system will display the passport appointment date, time, and reporting centre details.

Passport Appointment Cancellation Refund

Usually, the fees for booking a passport appointment cannot be refunded. The refund can be processed only in specific instances, such as when:

• A technical error occurs, and the fee is deducted, but the booking does not get confirmed.
• Duplicate payments are processed due to system glitches.
• Transactions cancelled by Passport Seva itself.

Refunds, when approved, are processed and paid back through the original mode of payment within 7 to 10 working days. 

Tips for Getting a Faster Appointment

Due to high demand, especially in metro cities, securing an early slot can be challenging. A few tips can help improve your chances:

• Check availability early in the morning; new slots are often released around midnight.
• Use the Tatkal option if urgent. However, it may be more expensive and require additional paperwork.
• Be flexible with nearby centres; smaller cities may have faster availability than major metros.
• Track availability as daily slots may be available if others cancel.

Booking a passport appointment is essential for a smooth application process. From checking availability and selecting the right date to preparing documents and knowing how to change a passport appointment date, each step matters. Applicants should use the official Passport Seva website, keep their documents ready, and regularly check the appointment status to know of any changes. 

Related Articles:
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2. Police Verification for Passport in India
3. How To Renew Passport Online And Offline?
4. How to Check Passport Tracking Status?
5. e-Passport India: How to Apply & Download, Benefits, Check Status Online
6. How To Change Address in a Passport?