Passport Renewal : Common Questions & Answers

Following our post on Renewal of Indian Passports while in Doha we received many queries from our readers. Even though we have tried to answer every question, here are the answers to the most asked questions that might be helpful to more readers.

1. When can I apply for renewal / re-issue of passport?

You can apply for a re-issue of passport up to 1 year before the expiry.  Our advise is to renew 6 months before expiry (if you have travel plans to a foreign country) or at least 3 months before expiry (if you have no travel plans).

Reason is that most countries would insist on the passport validity of at least of six months for issuing a new visa. Accordingly, it is advisable to apply for renewal well before time to avoid last minute rush.

2. My passport expired 1 month ago. Can it be reissued? What is the procedure to re-issue it?

The procedure is same as applying for renewal. But please mind this is a very risky situation if you are staying in Qatar with an expired passport. So try to avoid such situations and renew well in advance. Fresh police verification will be required if the passport has expired more than three years ago.

3. I have a one-month old baby? Does the baby require a separate passport or his/her name can be endorsed in one of the parents passport?

Endorsement of child’s name in parent’s passports is not allowed anymore. As per the amended instructions, a minor should have a separate passport.

You have to apply for a new passport with these documents : EAP- I Form + EAP- 1D Form + Form I  + Passport & ID of both the Parent’s (original + copy) + Two Passport size photographs + Birth Certificate (original + copy). You can find more details here.

4. What is the process to endorse my wife’s name on my passport?

To endorse the spouse’s name (wife / husband) on your passport, you have to apply for a re-issue of passport with these documents : EAP-I Form + EAP- 1D Form +  Applicant’s passport (Original & Copy) + Two photographs + Marriage certificate issued by Registrar of Marriages (If it is not issued by Registrar of Marriages, it should be attested by an Indian Government authority)

5. How do I change the address on my passport?

To change the address in the passport, you have to apply for a re-issue of passport with these documents : EAP- I Form + EAP- 1D Form + Applicant’s passport (Original & Copy) + Two photographs + Proof of new address (Electricity Bill / Water Bill / Telephone Bill / Election ID / Aadhar Card / PAN Card / Pass Book of public sector bank etc are accepted. It is better to have at least 2 of the above)

6. What is the process to change the date/place of birth in the passport?

To change the date/place of birth in the passport, you have to apply for a re-issue of passport with these documents :  EAP- I Form + Data sheet – EAP- 1D Form + Applicant’s passport (Original & Copy) + Two photographs + Order from first class Magistrate regarding the correct date / place of birth OR Original certificate of date / place of birth on the basis of which entry in the first passport had been made.

7. What do I do if I lose my passport?

Loss of passport should be immediately reported to the nearest Police Station and to the Indian Embassy. You can apply for re-issue of passport and submit the required documents along with your passport application form. The new passport will have a new passport number, with a fresh validity of 10 years.

8. What can I do if I have lost my passport and have to travel to India urgently due to an emergency like serious illness or death in the family?

You need to contact the Indian Embassy. An Emergency Certificate (EC) may also be issued for returning to India after verification of Indian nationality/origin/particulars.

9. My passport is nearly full but is valid for another 4 years, is it possible to add extra pages?

Additional pages are not added to a passport booklet. If the pages in the passport booklet have exhausted, you need to apply for re-issue of passport. A new passport booklet would be issued to you.

For details on application procedure click here

More details available at Indian Embassy website. Embassy helpline for  all enquiries: 4425 5777. More FAQs are answered on India Passport Seva website.

12 thoughts on “Passport Renewal : Common Questions & Answers”

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  1. Hi i did the passport renewal on the last 8th oct 2018 in Indian Cultural Centre doha they said to collect the passport after 12 days i went on the 12th day said not yet received and asked come after three days and again my passport wasn’t there. how long does this renewal process takes place its almost 20 days as of now … previously i renewed my passport from Thrissur-kerala-india…

    1. Hi Vibin, Sometimes it takes up to 40 days if your file needs more verification from the last place of issue. There is nothing much you can do except wait for it.

  2. hi just before we print online application form ,its written that appointmet date and time will be printed on the application form , i couldn’t find any. can anyone help me where i can find it?

  3. My passport pages are nearly full, I’m applying for a passport reissue in the Indian Embassy. Will the Embassy keep my old passport with them during the reissue process or, they will hand over the old passport back. Next question is, can I use that old passport in the mean time (when the reissue process for new passport is going on) to visit another country?
    Please help me to get this information. Thank you in advance.

    1. Hi Rohan, The Embassy will give back your old passport along with new passport. You cannot use the old passport during the reissue process as the passport has to be with them.

    1. Hi Abhishek, You can fill form online and take print out. However it needs to be physically taken to Embassy. You cannot submit online. The number of days taken is usually 5 working days. The Embassy would advise you the collection date while submitting.

  4. what would be the process to add surname into the passport? at present having Pan card and Adhar card included with surname.

  5. My indian passport issued in 1997 was renewed in Dubai in 2007 with the validity upto 2017. As now
    I’m in Qatar, I would like to renew my passport here. Kindly request you to let me know, within how many days, I will get my renewed passport, as I heard police clearance would be required which may take some time.

    1. Hi JP, This is not police verification. If your last passport was issued in Dubai, the Indian Embassy may need to verify with the consulate in Dubai. In some cases, this may take few days more than usual – may be one month or less. The Embassy in Qatar will let you know the delivery date when you submit for renewal.

  6. Mukesh Kumar Duggal

    I understand that handwritten passports are no more valid. I got my passport renewed in April 2014. It was issued for one year and then it was endorsed for validity extension in August 2014 for balance 9 years. This endorsement on the passport is hand written as a normal practice. Do I have to get the passport again renewed to show the final expiry on the laminated printed page?

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