How to Renew Your Indian Passport (Re-issue)
Renew or re-issue your Indian passport before it expires through Passport Seva — when to apply, exactly which documents you need (much less than a fresh application), and how the PSK visit differs.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- passportindia.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online & Offline
- Validity
- 10 years (adults); 5 years or until age 18 (minors)
- Issuing Authority
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Available
Renewing an Indian passport (officially called Re-issue) is significantly simpler than a fresh application. Most details carry over from the old passport, the PSK appointment is shorter, and police verification is frequently skipped if your previous verification was clean and your address hasn't changed.
The most important documents are your original old passport and an address proof if you've moved. The PSK retains a photocopy of the personal-details page of the old passport, then returns the cancelled old passport along with the new one by Speed Post.
You can apply up to 1 year before expiry — most countries require at least 6 months remaining validity for travel, so don't wait until the last minute.
Eligibility
- You hold an Indian passport that has expired or is about to expire (apply up to 1 year before expiry, or any time after).
- You want to renew with the same particulars (name, DOB, place of birth) or change one of them.
- Your old passport is intact (lost / damaged passports follow a different flow).
Required documents
Old passport
RequiredEstablishes your existing passport record and enables re-issue. The PSK retains a copy of the personal page.
Original old passport — both for verification at the PSK and for the new passport printing process.
originalAddress proof (if address changed)
OptionalRequired if your address has changed since the last passport — determines police verification jurisdiction.
Aadhaar with current address, electricity / water bill, bank passbook, rent agreement, or any accepted proof.
PDFJPGoriginalSelf-attested copy of old passport
RequiredPSK keeps a photocopy of the old passport as part of the application record.
Photocopy of the personal details page and ECR / non-ECR page. Self-attest each copy.
photocopyAnnexure if changing particulars
OptionalDocuments the legal basis for any change in name, address, or other particulars during re-issue.
Annexures vary based on what is being changed (e.g., name change for marriage). Check the Passport Seva accepted documents page for the exact annexure list.
PDForiginal
Step-by-step process
- 1
Log in to Passport Seva
Use your existing account or register a new one at passportindia.gov.in.
passportindia.gov.in ↗ - 2
Choose 'Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport'
Select Re-issue. Pick the right reason: change in existing particulars, expiry within / beyond 3 years, exhaustion of pages, etc.
- 3
Fill the application
Many fields are pre-filled from your old passport. Verify each one before submitting.
- 4
Schedule a PSK / POPSK appointment
Choose the PSK that covers your jurisdiction. Re-issue appointments are usually available sooner than fresh ones.
- 5
Pay the fee
Pay online via card, net banking, or UPI.
- 6
Visit the PSK with old passport + originals
Carry the original old passport, all originals being used as proofs, and one self-attested photocopy of each. The PSK retains a copy of the old passport's personal page.
- 7
Police verification (if applicable)
Re-issues often don't require fresh police verification, especially if the old passport had clean verification and address hasn't changed. Verification is triggered when address changes or specific conditions apply.
- 8
Track the new passport
Track with the File Number. The new passport is dispatched by Speed Post and your old passport is returned to you (cancelled) along with the new one.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
passportindia.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office
- Approving Officer
- Granting Officer at Passport Seva Kendra
- For Offline Applications
- Nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)
What happens after applying
- 1
Online application and payment
Log in to Passport Seva, choose Re-issue, verify pre-filled details, pay the fee, and book a PSK appointment.
- 2
PSK visit with old passport
Attend the PSK with originals. The officer verifies the old passport, captures biometrics (photo + fingerprints), and grants the re-issue.
- 3
Police verification (if triggered)
Fresh police verification is triggered if address has changed or specific conditions apply. For clean re-issues with same address, verification is typically skipped.
- 4
Passport printing
The Regional Passport Office prints the new passport after PSK granting.
- 5
Dispatch and delivery
New passport is dispatched by Speed Post. Old passport is returned cancelled with the new one.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Not selecting 'Re-issue' — accidentally selecting 'Fresh'
Why: Applying as Fresh when you have an existing passport triggers a fresh application process, including full police verification, and may cause legal complications.
Fix: Always select 'Re-issue of Passport' when you hold an existing passport. Check that the form reflects your old passport number.
Not carrying the original old passport to the PSK
Why: The old passport is a mandatory document for re-issue. Without it, the PSK will not process your application.
Fix: Bring the original old passport — not a photocopy — to every re-issue appointment.
Applying too close to the expiry date before international travel
Why: Many countries require at least 6 months of validity on your passport at the time of travel. Applying too late means your new passport may not arrive before your trip.
Fix: Apply up to 1 year before expiry. Plan for 3–6 weeks for the full re-issue process under Normal scheme.
Assuming re-issue always skips police verification
Why: Police verification is skipped only if your last verification was clean and your address hasn't changed. Changing address or having an adverse history triggers fresh verification.
Fix: Check your police verification history and address consistency before assuming it'll be skipped. When in doubt, plan for verification.
Not updating name after marriage before applying
Why: If your legal name changed but Aadhaar and PAN still show the old name, a name-change re-issue becomes complex and requires extra annexures.
Fix: Update name on Aadhaar and PAN first. Then apply for re-issue with the marriage certificate as the name-change proof.
Special situations
Passport expired over 3 years ago▾
Expired-beyond-3-years passports may require fresh police verification regardless of address change. The PSK may flag this for additional scrutiny.
Passport pages are exhausted but not expired▾
Select 'Exhaustion of pages' as the reason for re-issue. The original passport remains valid until the new one is issued. Bring the old passport with all pages exhausted.
Lost or damaged passport (not intact)▾
You cannot use the standard re-issue route. Use the 'Lost / Damaged' application type on Passport Seva, which requires an FIR copy (for lost passport) and additional annexures.
Changing name due to marriage on re-issue▾
Bring the marriage certificate in addition to standard documents. An annexure for name change may be needed. The PSK may scrutinise the name-change documents more closely.
Re-issue for a minor turning 18▾
When a minor turns 18, a new full-validity (10-year) adult passport must be applied for. Carry the old minor's passport and standard adult identity documents.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply for renewal?▾
You can apply up to 1 year before expiry. Many countries also require passports to have at least 6 months validity at the time of travel — plan accordingly.
Will I get a new passport number?▾
Yes. A re-issued passport carries a new passport number. The old passport is cancelled and returned to you with the new one.
Do I need police verification again?▾
Not necessarily. If your last passport had clean police verification and your address is unchanged, the system often skips fresh verification.
What if my passport is damaged or lost?▾
Use the 'Lost / Damaged Passport' application path instead — it requires an FIR copy and additional annexures.
How long does a passport re-issue take under the Normal scheme?▾
The timeline from PSK visit to passport receipt varies. Plan for 3–6 weeks under the Normal scheme for most urban applicants. Police verification timing can extend this.
Can I travel internationally with an expired passport?▾
No. An expired passport is not valid for travel. You cannot board an international flight or enter most countries with an expired passport.
Will my visa in the old passport still be valid?▾
Generally, yes — most countries recognise visas in cancelled/old passports when presented alongside the new valid passport. Check the specific country's policy before travelling.
Do I need to get a new visa after passport renewal?▾
Typically no, if the visa is still valid. Carry both the old (with visa) and new passport when travelling. Some countries may require a new visa — check with the embassy.
Can I apply for Tatkaal passport re-issue?▾
Yes. Tatkaal is available for re-issue applications. The same rules apply — higher fee, three additional proofs, and the granting officer may downgrade to Normal.
Is there a different process for renewing a minor's passport?▾
Minor passport re-issues require both parents' documents again. When the minor turns 18, a full adult passport with 10-year validity must be applied for separately.
What if my address has changed since my last passport?▾
Update your address in the application form and provide a new address proof. This may trigger fresh police verification, adding to the overall timeline.
What happens if my old passport shows ECR (Emigration Check Required)?▾
If you've completed your 10th standard since your last passport, bring your educational certificate to the PSK to be upgraded from ECR to Non-ECR on the new passport.
Can I change the photo on my passport during re-issue?▾
Yes. During re-issue, your biometrics (including photo and fingerprints) are recaptured at the PSK. The new passport will have an updated photo.
Can I renew two family passports at the same PSK appointment?▾
No. Each person's passport requires a separate appointment. You can book multiple appointments back-to-back for family members.
What is the File Number and where do I get it?▾
The File Number is provided after your PSK visit and granting. It's used to track the dispatch of your new passport on the Passport Seva portal.
Official sources
- Passport Seva — Official Portal ↗
passportindia.gov.in
Ministry of External Affairs portal for passport re-issue, appointment booking, and status tracking.
- Passport Seva — Document Advisor ↗
passportindia.gov.in
Confirm which documents are needed for your specific re-issue case.
- Passport Seva — Track Application ↗
portal2.passportindia.gov.in
Track your passport re-issue status using the File Number.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.