A passport is an official document that lasts a long time, and renewing it might not be something that crosses your mind very often. So, if you are an Indian living or working in the US and looking to renew your passport for the first time, we’ve got you covered.
Unless your situation is complex, you won’t really need an agent for this process. Just follow these instructions, and you’re good to go.
Indian Passport Renewal in USA: Key Steps
Register Yourself Online
First up, you’ll need to register yourself on the Passport Seva website. You can do this by going to the website and clicking ‘New User Registration’ to start the registration process right away.
While registering, enter the passport office name, your name, date of birth, email ID, password, and hint question. Then, activate your account using the verification email they send you to access your account.
Once the login process is complete, select the “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport” option to move to the next step. Fill Out Your Application
This is the most crucial part of renewing your Indian passport in the US. You will have two alternatives to fill out the form:
- You can fill out the application online.
- You can download the PDF form of the application and complete it by hand.
Since you might not have some of the required details available to you at the time, it is recommended to choose the second alternative.
However, no matter what option you choose, the process of renewing your Indian passport will remain the same.
Schedule Your Passport Renewal Appointment
Once you fill out your application completely, the next step is to schedule your appointment to get all your documents checked. You will also have to pay to submit your application form. You can either pay online via credit or debit card, via internet banking, or with SBI Bank Challan.
After selecting the payment option, you will have to choose the Passport Seva Kendra and available time slot for your appointment. Once selected, you will then be redirected to the payment page, where you can select either of the two above options to pay for the application.
Gather All The Necessary Documents
Next, you must have all the necessary documents to avoid any issues during your appointment. Read our below checklist carefully to make sure you are not missing any required documentation.
The documents required might vary depending on your situation. For example, if you are a minor, you need to furnish additional documents from guardians or parents. Or if you want to change any information about your spouse, you’ll need your original marriage certificate, as well as a photocopy signed by you.
Indian Passport Renewal in USA: Document Checklist
Here’s our round-up of the basic documents you’ll need to get your Indian passport renewed in the US.
- A completed online application form signed by the applicant
- Current passport (expired or expiring)
- Proof of address, such as water, electricity, or telephone bills
- Three passport-sized photographs
- Photocopy of the first five and last two pages of your passport
- Bank statements for one year, and the bank account’s passbook with your address on it
- Parents’ or guardian’s passport, if minor
- US proof of residence
- Only required in certain circ*mstances: national identity card, such as an Aadhar card or Voter ID.
Is Police Verification Required to Renew an Indian Passport in the US?
Police Verification (PV) will not occur if you have submitted the passport renewal application from the US before or within three years after the expiry of your old passport. However, it is required if:
- The passport application is submitted three years after the expiry of your old passport.
- The application is submitted within three years after the expiry of the existing passport, but the PV column is either not clear or complete.
How Long Does it Take to Renew an Indian Passport in the US?
If you have submitted all your documents correctly and there is no issue with your application, it will not take more than 3-6 weeks for Indian passport renewal in USA.
You can check your online application status by visiting the official website and selecting the “Track Application Status” option.
How Much Does it Cost to Renew an Indian Passport in the US?
You will have to pay three different fees to renew your Indian passport in the US:
- Application Fee: $75 for a regular booklet of 36 pages or $100 for a jumbo booklet of 60 pages
- Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) Fee: $2
- Service Charge to VFS Global: $15.90.
Hence, the total cost you should expect to pay to renew your passport is $92.90 for a regular booklet and $117.90 for a jumbo booklet.
We hope this guide has helped you better understand the process of renewing your Indian passport while in the US. Good luck!
