|
PASSPORT
INFORMATION
|
A passport is a very important document. It should
be kept upto date by renewing it before it expires. Its loss
should be reported immediately to the local police authorities
and also to the nearest Indian Embassy / Consulate General.
Indian passports can be renewed any time from one year before,
to six months after the actual date of expiry. If the passport
is already ten years old and has finally expired, a new passport
will be issued. Final expiry is indicated on the passport by
the letter "F" or the word "Final" mentioned after the date
of expiry on the passport. Three passport size photographs are
to be submitted along with the application duly filled in for
issuance of a new passport booklet. In case there is any change
in appearance, one of these photographs should be duly attested
by a Notary Public. However, if the passport has not expired
finally, the same booklet is renewed.
The forms for renewal of Indian passports and for issuance of
new passport booklets are different and appropriate forms are
required to be filled in. All applicants for passport services
are also required to submit photocopies of their Resident Alien
Cards or proof of their lawful residence in USA. Passports of
visitors can be extended only for a short period to facilitate
their return to India. |
|
| |
|
Duplicate Passports :
The issuance of duplicate passports in lieu of lost
or damaged passports is handled under a special procedure. A
duplicate passport can only be issued to an applicant on confirmation
of the particulars of the lost passport from the original Passport
Issuing Authority and receipt of the clearance of the Ministry
of External Affairs. All applicants for duplicate passports
must fill out
(i) one copy of the new passport application form and
(ii) six copies of 'Personal Particulars Proforma'.
These forms must be filled in correctly, completely and legibly.
Generally it takes at least eight to ten weeks to obtain confirmation
of passport particulars and the clearance from the Government
of India. However, if one pays fax charges, telegraphic references
are made. Paying fax charges cannot guarantee issuance of a
duplicate passport within any fixed time-frame.
|
|
| |
|
Emergency Certificate :
Emergency certificates are one-way travel documents to return
to India and are generally issued to visiting Indians who lose
their passports or to people who need to be deported. However,
such certificates can be issued if the Indian citizenship of
the person is confirmed. |
|
| |
|
Miscellaneous Passport & Consular
Services :
Applicants for miscellaneous Passport and Consular
services are required to fill out a 'Miscellaneous Service'
form and submit their passports along with photocopies of their
Resident Alien Cards or proof of lawful residence in the foreign
country. |
|
| |
|
Endorsement of Child's Name :
On either parent's passport but it is necessary to send passports
of both parents and a photocopy of the child's birth certificate.
A child may be endorsed in one of the parent's passport only
if the father was an Indian national at the time of the child's
birth and if the child does not hold a passport of another country.
(Documentary evidence to this effect would be required i.e.,
either a resident alien card or an 'A' number endorsement for
the child on either parent's passport. |
|
| |
|
Change of First Name/Full Name :
An applicant has to submit (a) a Court Order from a
court in India or a notarized affidavit. (b) a newspaper clipping
of notice in the city of applicant's domicile in the foreign
country. (c) a newspaper cutting of notice in the state of the
applicant's domicile in India. |
|
| |
|
Change to Married Name :
An applicant is required to enclose a copy of the marriage certificate,
a sworn affidavit giving maiden and married names duly notarized
by a Notary Public and the husband's passport. In case the first
name also changes after marriage, additional requirements as
indicated in "Change of First Name / Full Name" are to be met. |
|
| |
|
Documents for Attestation :
These are required to be notarized by a Notary Public and submitted
in duplicate (original and a photocopy). The applicant's valid
passport should also be submitted. Submission of passports can
be exempted in cases of attestation of Adoption papers when
applicants do not hold any passports. |
|
| |
|
Sending Human Remains :
A copy of the death certificate and a letter from the mortuary
stating that the body has been embalmed properly and hermetically
sealed in a casket is required to be attested by the Consulate.
For sending an urn containing human ashes, a copy of the death
certificate and a letter from the crematorium stating that the
urn contains nothing else but the cremated remains of the deceased
and that it has been sealed properly should be authenticated
by the Consulate. The Indian passport of the deceased should
also be cancelled. |
|
| |
|
Time Taken for Consular and Passport Related
Services Counter Applications :
Except for issuance of New Indian Passports, other
services like renewal of a passport, issue of a Birth, Life
or a Police Clearance Certificate, endorsement of child's name,
etc. can be given the same day if it is otherwise in order and
the applicant applies at the counter before 12.00 noon. Processed
documents / passports are returned the same day between 4.00
pm and 5.00 pm. New Indian Passports issued on the expiry of
old passports which expired recently are given the next working
day between 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm. |
|
| |
|
Overnight Mail Applications :
Applications received through overnight mail are processed on
a priority basis and the passports and services documents are
returned by overnight mail provided an overnight mailing charge
is paid to the Consulate in addition to the normal fee. It normally
takes two/three working days to process such cases. |
|
| |
|
Certified/Registered Mail Applications
:
Applications received by certified or registered mail are processed
within 7 working days and returned by certified mail only. A
self-addressed and stamped certified mail envelope or additional
amount (as required) may be enclosed. |
|
| |
|
Obtaining Forms :
Renewal, Miscellaneous Services and New Passport application
forms are distributed free of cost. These forms can also be
freely duplicated. The application forms can be downloaded from
web sites at the following address: |
|
| |
|
|
www.positiveindia.com
www.indianconsulate-sf.org
www.indianembassy.org
Forms can also be obtained from the Consulate by sending a
request in writing and enclosing a self-addressed and stamped
envelope. These can also be obtained from the Indian Associations
and some Travel Agencies.
E - Mail : rajtravels@rajtravels.com
|
|
