Police Verification for Passport in India - A Complete Guide

Obtaining a passport is the first and foremost thing that an Indian citizen has to do if they wish to travel abroad. There are various stages between applying for a passport and receiving one. One of the crucial stages is undergoing police verification. This verification involves several checks, including criminal records and other further details.

 This blog thoroughly discusses police verification for passports in India. We will analyse the rules, types, documents required, time taken for the verification process, and more.

What is Police Verification for a Passport?

Police verification is a process in which local police authorities verify a passport applicant’s identity in different ways to ensure the authenticity of the applicant. It involves the verification of an applicant’s address, background and other details required for the passport.

The applicant has to come down to the police station to complete the verification process. In some cases, a police officer might visit the applicant at his residential address to verify the details they have provided in their application.

After police verification and approval, the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India will issue the passports to eligible candidates only. Once you receive your passport, you can easily travel abroad as per the rules. There are three different types of police verification process for a passport, they are:

• No Police verification
• Pre-Police Verification
• Post-Police verification

Keep reading to get all the information in detail.

Police Verification for Passport Rules

There are some rules that a passport applicant must follow for a hassle-free police verification process. Here are a few of them:

• Ensure that you duly fill up the application with accurate details leaving no loose ends.
• make sure all the documents that were required for application purpose and any other additional documents are kept handy for a smooth police verification process.
• Be available at your residential address when the police come in for verification. in case you called down to the police station, make sure you show up on the date and time as instructed by the officer.
• Let your neighbours know that the police might ask them a few questions about your passport application and verification process.
• Cooperate with the police officials and answer all questions honestly.

Why is Police Verification Required for Passports?

Police verification for passports is a very crucial step, as a wrong step can raise suspicion among the police officials, leading towards rejection of your passport application. Read the pointers below to understand why a police verification process is significant for passport application:

• Identification and Address Check: The local police checks and verifies the identity and residential address of the applicant.
• Criminal History Check: Local police use the law enforcement database to verify if there is any criminal history, background, or pending cases for the applicant.
• Prevents Misuse: This process helps prevent individuals from obtaining duplicate passports under false identities.
• National Security: Police verification for passports helps prevent illegal activities and safeguards the country’s integrity.
• Verification for Government Records: It maintains accurate government records for passport holders.
• Mandatory Compliance: This step is required by the Ministry of External Affairs for passport approval.

Types of Police Verification for Passport

There are three main types of police verification for passports in India. They are discussed as follows:

Pre-Police Verification

Local police conduct this type of verification before issuing passports. Here, the official verifies the credibility of the applicant’s documents, address, and other details. Once the verification is complete and approved, your passport will be issued within a few days.

Post-Police Verification

For urgent passport applications, post-police verification occurs after the passport is issued. After the passport is delivered, the police check the applicant's information. Authorities have the right to cancel a passport if there are inconsistencies with the information in the passport. This ensures security while guaranteeing faster processing.

No Police Verification

This verification provides a privilege to select individuals to get their passports issued without a police verification. Government employees, PSU, statutory employees or diplomatic and official passport holders can obtain this privilege on submitting the Annexure B.

Process for Police Verification for Passport

The police verification for passports works in two ways, online and offline. In the following section, we have discussed the steps for each mode in detail: 

Offline Police Verification for Passport 

Here are the steps for offline police verification:

Step 1: Once you submit your passport application, the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) will start the police verification process.

Step 2: The PSK forwards the residential address you provided to your local police station for verification.

Step 3: The police station assigns an officer who will either visit your home or ask you to visit the police station with your original documents.

Step 4: The officer will check your identity proof, verify your address, and ask you to sign the verification papers.

Step 5: After the verification, the police will return their report to the Passport Seva Kendra.

Step 6: If the report is positive and your documents are clear, the Ministry of External Affairs will approve and issue your passport within a few working days.

Online Police Verification for Passports

You can apply for a police verification of your passport online using the Passport Seva portal or the mPassport portal. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Register on the official Passport Seva Portal.

Step 2: Log in to your account and select “Apply for Passport Clearance Certificate” from the menu.

Step 3: Fill in all the required details accurately in the application form and submit it online.

Step 4: Head to the “View Saved/Submitted Applications” section and click on “Pay and Schedule Appointment” to pay the applicable fee and book your appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Step 5: Once payment is successful, click on “Print Application Receipt” — this receipt serves as proof of payment and will be needed during your appointment.

Step 6: On your appointment date, visit the Passport Seva Kendra with all the necessary original documents for verification.

Police Verification for Passport Fees

The fees for passport police verification vary according to the service type needed. The "Fee Calculator" on the Passport Seva website allows applicants to view the precise fees. Generally, the Global Entry Program (GEP) charges Rs. 500 for a background check and a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). 

All Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) require online payment to schedule appointments. Credit/debit cards, SBI Wallet, and internet banking can all be used to make payments. Applicants must bring their application to the Passport Seva Kendra and pay in cash to make an offline payment.

Documents Required for Police Verification for a New Passport

Application and approval of passports require a list of documents o be submitted. You must duly update all your documents to raise your chances of approval. Here is the list of the required documents.

1. Identity proof, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID card, etc.
2. Address Proof includes Rent agreement papers, electricity bills, Gas bills, etc.
3. A copy of your passport application form.
4. Multiple passport-size photographs.
5. The authorities might ask for additional documents as per their requirements.

Documents Required for Passport Renewal/Re-issue

If you are thinking, Is police verification required for passport renewal, the answer is yes. So, here is a list of documents that are necessary for the renewal or reissue of a passport:

1. Old passport and copies of pages containing ECR/Non-ECR, validity extension page and observation page.
2. Updated address proof such as utility bills and home ownership papers.
3. Identity Proof such as an Aadhaar card or PAN card.
4. NOC (No Objection Certificate) or PI (Prior Intimation Letter)
5. Additional documents, if required by the authorities.

Police Verification for Passport Status Check

To answer your question, how to check the police verification status for a passport, the detailed guide about the steps is given below:

Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva Application Status Tracker.

Step 2: Click on ‘Track Application Status’ once you’re on the page.

Step 3: Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth (DOB) in the required fields.

Step 4: Click on ‘Track Status’ to view the real-time update of your passport application.

You can also check your passport via other methods such as:

• Call a toll-free number 1800 258 1800.
• Message your ‘status file number’ on 9704 100 100.
• Passport Seva application on your mobile phones.

Here are the various stages of passport status checks.

• Adverse: Here, the verification is at a halt due to issues regarding address or identity. If the issues are not resolved, the application can be revoked.
• Incomplete: Verification is pending due to a lack of necessary or un-updated documents.
• Clear: This stage depicts approval of your application.

Police Verification for Passport for Minor

A minor under the age of 18 requires a passport to travel abroad. The candidate’s parents or legal guardian must apply for the passport on their behalf. These passports are valid for up to five years and until the minor reaches 18.

In most cases, minors do not need a police verification process if their parents or legal guardians have a valid passport. However, if police verification is necessary in such scenarios, here are the documents that the legal guardian has to gather for a minor’s police verification process:

• Candidate’s birth certificate.
• An address proof of their legal guardianship.
• Documents ensuring the legal guardians’ Indian citizenship.
• Multiple recent passport-sized photographs.
• Annexure 'D' for parents/guardians or both.
• Annexure 'C' for minors between the ages of 15 and 18.
• Additional documents are required by the authorities.

After How Many Days Police Verification Is Done for Passport?

The police usually take two to three weeks to complete the verification. The time period varies depending on the level of verification an officer performs to satisfy an applicant's credibility and legitimacy.

This period can vary if the candidate shows suspicion or gives incomplete or outdated documents in their application. In the case of a Tatkal passport, one does not need to worry about the verification period, as this verification will occur after the passport is issued.

Police verification is also essential to the passport application, verifying an applicant's identity and background validity. Understanding the types of verification, documents needed, and procedure can help make the experience smoother and prevent delays. Application and adherence to the rules of a passport are essential to applying for a new passport or renewing a passport.

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2. Passport Seva Online Portal - Passport Application made simple
3. How to Check Passport Tracking Status?
4. How to Renew Passport Online and Offline?