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Introduction
A Passport is an important document required for any citizen to travel to a foreign country. In some instances, an applicant may be in urgent need of the passport. In such cases, there is a provision to apply for a ‘Tatkal Passport’. Tatkal passports are processed quickly and issued within a few days’ time. However, the document requirements and application process remains pretty much the same. The applicant may be required to submit a few additional documents under the Tatkal application.
Tatkal application can be perused for both fresh and reissue passports. Earlier, Tatkal passports required a Verification Certificate from a Gazetted officer. That requirement has been removed in recent years allowing applicants to get passports during emergencies.
Tatkal passport applications should also be submitted online through the Passport Seva Portal. The applicants have to attend the personal interview for document verification. Once the documents have been verified and the passport has been ‘Granted’, applicants can expect the passport to be dispatched within a day’s time.
How to apply for a Tatkal Passport?
Applying for a Tatkal Passport is very similar to applying for a fresh passport or a passport renewal. The application form is filled and submitted online, you pay the passport fees and fix an appointment for the personal interview.
Here is a step by step guide on applying for a Tatkal Passport:
Option 1: Downloading the e-Form, filling it offline and uploading it later
- You have to first register on the ‘Passport Seva’ Portal using your email ID.
- Once you have registered, login to the Passport Portal
- On the homepage, click on the ‘Download e-Form’ option. Then choose the ‘Fresh Passport’ option.
- Next, make sure to choose the mode as ‘Tatkal’.
- Fill the downloaded e-Form with all the correct details.
- After filling the form completely, click on the ‘Validate & Save’ button. An XML file is generated which you have to upload on the system later.
- Go to the ‘Upload e-Form’ option and upload the XML file. Make sure to upload the XML file and not a PDF form as it is not accepted by the system.
- Once the upload is complete, click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link to schedule an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
- Select the correct Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) location and select your PSK.
- After booking your preferred appointment date and time at the selected PSK, you will take to the online payment page. You can choose to pay through Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard & Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) and Associate Banks Only) or SBI Bank Challan.
- An Online Fee Calculator is available on the portal to calculate the fee for passport services
- Once the payment is also completed, you have to take a print out of the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number.
- You have to now visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) on the date and time your appointment has been booked. You have to take the print out of the application form along with the original documents - such as proof of date of birth, identity proof with photograph, proof of residence and proof of nationality.
Option 2: Filling the form online and submitting it online
- Login to the Passport Portal and click on ‘Apply for Fresh Passport’ link.
- Make sure to choose the Tatkal mode.
- Fill all the correct information in the application form online.
- Once the upload is complete, click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link to schedule an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
- Select the correct Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) location and select your PSK.
- After booking your preferred appointment date and time at the selected PSK, you will take to the online payment page. You can choose to pay through Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard & Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) and Associate Banks Only) or SBI Bank Challan.
- An Online Fee Calculator is available on the portal to calculate the fee for passport services
- Once the payment is also completed, you have to take a print out of the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number.
- You have to now visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) on the date and time your appointment has been booked. You have to take the print out of the filled application form along with the original documents - such as proof of date of birth, identity proof with photograph, proof of residence and proof of nationality.
What are the documents required to apply for a Tatkal Passport?
A Tatkal passport requires a few additional documents compared to a normal passport. For any passport application, the applicant has to submit a list of documents based on the application categories. Since the entire passport application process is done online, the applicant has to submit the correct documents so that the passport is approved and dispatched on time.
These are the primary documents required to apply for a Tatkal Passport:
- Proof of Present Address
- Proof of Date of Birth
- Documentary proof for any one of the Non-ECR categories
- Any 3 of the mandatory documents
Documents accepted for Adults
Proof Of Address
| Water Bill |
Telephone (landline or postpaid mobile bill) | |
Electricity bill | |
Income Tax Assessment Order | |
Election Commission Photo ID card | |
Proof of Gas Connection | |
Certificate from Employer of reputed companies on letter head | |
Spouse's passport copy (First and last page including family details mentioning applicant's name as spouse of the passport holder), (provided the applicant's present address matches the address mentioned in the spouse's passport) | |
Aadhaar Card | |
Rent Agreement | |
Photo Passbook of running Bank Account (Scheduled Public Sector Banks, Scheduled Private Sector Indian Banks and Regional Rural Banks only) | |
Proof of Date of Birth (DOB)
| Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the Municipal Corporation or any other prescribed authority, whosoever has been empowered under the Registration of Birth and Deaths Act, 1969 to register the birth of a child born in India |
Transfer/School leaving/Matriculation Certificate issued by the school last attended/recognised educational board | |
Policy Bond issued by the Public Life Insurance Corporations/Companies having the DOB of the holder of the insurance policy | |
Copy of an extract of the service record of the applicant (only in respect of Government servants) or the Pay Pension Order (in respect of retired Government Servants), duly attested/certified by the officer/in-charge of the Administration of the concerned Ministry/Department of the applicant | |
Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar | |
Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India | |
PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department | |
Driving License issued by the Transport department of concerned state Government | |
A declaration given by the Head of the Orphanage/Child Care Home on their official letter head of the organization confirming the DOB of the applicant |
Documents acceptable for Minors
Proof Of Address (Can be in the name of the Parent)
| Water Bill |
Telephone (landline or postpaid mobile bill) | |
Electricity bill | |
Aadhaar Card | |
Photo Passbook of running Bank Account (Scheduled Public Sector Banks, Scheduled Private Sector Indian Banks and Regional Rural Banks only) | |
Proof of Date of Birth (DOB)
| Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the Municipal Corporation or any other prescribed authority, whosoever has been empowered under the Registration of Birth and Deaths Act, 1969 to register the birth of a child born in India |
Transfer/School leaving/Matriculation Certificate issued by the school last attended/recognised educational board | |
Policy Bond issued by the Public Life Insurance Corporations/Companies having the DOB of the holder of the insurance policy | |
Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar | |
PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department | |
A declaration given by the Head of the Orphanage/Child Care Home on their official letter head of the organization confirming the DOB of the applicant |
Mandatory Documents: Any 3 documents out of the list should be submitted compulsorily for Tatkal processing
1 | Aadhaar Card/e-Aadhaar containing the 12 digit Aadhaar number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India(UIDAI) |
2 | Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) |
3 | Service Photo Identity Card issued by State/Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, local bodies or Public Limited Companies |
4 | Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe or Other backward class Certificate |
5 | Arms License issued under the Arms Act, 1959(54 of 1959) |
6 | Pension Document such as ex-servicemen's Pension book or Pension payment order issued to retired government employees, ex-servicemen's Widow or Dependent Certificates, Old Age Pension Order |
7 | Last Passport issued (in case of re-issue only) |
8 | Permanent Account Number(PAN) |
9 | Bank Passbook or Kisan Passbook or Post Office Passbook |
10 | Student Photo Identity Cards issued by Recognized Educational Institutions |
11 | Driving Licenses (valid and within the jurisdiction of State of submission of applicant) |
12 | Birth Certificates issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969) |
13 | Rations Cards |
How to track the status of a Tatkal Passport?
Since the whole application process for passports is completed online, it is convenient for applicants to track their application status. Applicants will get a status check on their passport application in real time. They will also get SMS status alerts.
Updating the submission status is critical so that, if necessary, you can take prompt action. On the 'Passport Seva' portal, one has the option to search their application status quickly.
Charges for a Tatkal Passport
Category | Validity | Fees for 36-page booklet | Fees for 60-page booklet |
Fresh or New passport | 10 years | Rs. 3,500 | Rs. 4,000 |
Renewal of passport | 10 years | Rs. 3,500 | Rs. 4,000 |
Fresh or renewal or reissue of passport (for minors under the age of 15) | 10 years | Rs. 3,500 | Rs. 4,000 |
Fresh or renewal or reissue of passport (for minors aged 15 to 18 years) | 5 years (or until reaching the age of 18) | Rs. 3,000 | |
Fresh or renewal or reissue of passport (for minors aged 15 to 18 years) | 10 years | Rs. 3,000 |
|
Adding a booklet in case all pages in the current booklet have been used |
| Rs. 3,500 | Rs. 4,000 |
Re-issue of passport in case the current passport has been stolen, lost, damaged, or misplaced | 10 years | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 5,500 |
Re-issue of passport in case personal information has been updated | 5 years (or until reaching the age of 18) | Rs. 3,500 | Rs. 4,000 |
Re-issue of passport for minors in case personal information has been updated | Rs. 3,000 |
|
Tatkal Passports FAQs
1. How to check Tatkal passport application status offline?
For any questions about your passport application, dial the toll-free number of the National Call Centre at 18002581800 to speak to the Citizen Service Executive. They are available starting at 8:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. and will provide you details about your application's status. During non-working hours, one can use the Automated Integrated Voice Response (IVRS) service, which is available 24/7.
2. How long does it take for a Tatkal passport to be processed and dispatched?
Your Tatkal passport issue depends on the category it is processed under:
- Police Verification is not required - Within one working day excluding the date of submission of application
- Police Verification is required on a Post-Passport Issuance basis - On third working day excluding the date of submission of application
3. Is a verification certificate required in order to receive a passport under the Tatkal Scheme from a Gazetted Officer?
Not necessary. Verification certificate from a Gazetted Officer is no longer needed to apply for a passport under the Tatkal System.
4. Can I apply for a Tatkal passport if my present passport is damaged?
Yes, if your current passport is damaged but the passport number is still readable, you can apply for a ‘Re-issue of Passport’ under the Tatkal scheme.
5. What is the benefit of getting a Tatkal Passport?
Tatkal passports are advantageous for people who are in urgent need of a passport. The passport is processed and reaches the applicant within 3 business days.
6. Is the validity of a Tatkal passport different from a normal passport?
No, Tatkal passports are also given with a validity of 10 years.