Guide
Documents needed for an Indian passport: a simple checklist
- Address
- Aadhaar, a utility bill, rent agreement or bank photo passbook
- Birth date
- Birth certificate, PAN, licence, voter ID or school certificate
- Reissue
- Old passport, plus copies of its first two and last two pages
For most adults, a fresh passport comes down to two proofs: where you live now and when you were born. The details are where people slip, so here they are in plain words.
A real moment
“Your Passport Seva Kendra appointment is at 10am. At the counter, you are asked for a self-attested copy of your address proof, and yours is only on your phone. The next hour goes on finding a photocopy shop.”
For a fresh passport, adults usually need proof of present address, such as Aadhaar, a utility bill or a rent agreement, and proof of date of birth, such as a birth certificate, PAN card or school leaving certificate. For a reissue, bring the old passport. Check Passport Seva's Document Advisor for your case.
Address and birth proofs in plain words
What changes for a reissue or a lost one
Originals plus self-attested copies
Address
Aadhaar, a utility bill, rent agreement or bank photo passbook
Birth date
Birth certificate, PAN, licence, voter ID or school certificate
Reissue
Old passport, plus copies of its first two and last two pages
Carry
Originals and one set of self-attested copies
Proof of present address
This is where you live now, not where you grew up. Accepted proofs include Aadhaar, a water, electricity, gas or phone bill, your voter ID, a rent agreement and the photo passbook of a running bank account. Passport Seva says giving your Aadhaar speeds up processing. For a child, a parent's address proof works.
Proof of date of birth
Adults can use a birth certificate, a school leaving or 10th certificate, a PAN card, a driving licence, a voter ID or a life insurance policy bond. PAN, licence and voter ID count only if they show your full date of birth. Aadhaar is not on this list. A child born on or after 1 October 2023 needs a birth certificate.
Reissue, lost passports and name changes
For a reissue, bring your old passport and self-attested copies of its first two and last two pages. New address proof is needed only if your address has changed. A lost passport also needs a police report and a sworn statement about the loss. A new surname after marriage needs a marriage certificate or a joint declaration signed by you both.
Originals, copies and one checklist
Carry the originals and one set of self-attested photocopies, which means copies you have signed yourself. Your regional passport office may ask for more, so check its page too. A DigiSafe passport pack keeps these papers in one place and shows what is missing, but the official list always wins.
Step by step
- 1
Check Passport Seva's Document Advisor for your exact case.
- 2
Open Packs in DigiSafe and choose Passport application.
- 3
Scan your address proof and date of birth proof, both sides.
- 4
For a reissue, scan the first two and last two pages of your old passport.
- 5
Print one set of copies and sign each one.
- 6
Carry the originals and the signed copies to your appointment.
Questions people ask
Can I use Aadhaar as proof of date of birth?+
Not for a passport. Aadhaar is not on the current list for date of birth, though it is accepted as proof of address and photo ID.
What is non-ECR, and how do I show it?+
Most people who have passed 10th qualify. Bring the certificate as proof. If ECR is not printed in your passport, you have non-ECR status.
Do I need a birth certificate?+
Only for a child born on or after 1 October 2023. Anyone born earlier can use one of the other accepted proofs.
Is the DigiSafe passport pack an official list?+
No. It is a practical checklist based on what passport applications usually ask for. Always check Passport Seva's own list for your case.
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