Passport for Minors

Applying for a Minor Passport

Today anyone intending to travel outside the country needs to apply for a passport, regardless of age. In the past, minors could be included in their parents’ passports. This meant that anyone below the age of 18 did not need to bother getting a separate passport. Now even newborn babies need to have passports if they are in a situation to travel outside the country.

Important Points to Remember when Applying for a Minor Passport

To reduce the time spent applying for a minor passport, you should have all the documents ready. As the parent or guardian, you do not have to be present for the passport appointment. However, you have to send the child with proof of your consent. Here are some important points for you to remember when applying for a minor passport:

• • Attested photocopies of the parents’ passports will have to be provided at the passport office. This only applies in cases where the parents are passport holders.
  • The name of the parent’s spouse must be endorsed in the parent’s passport. If it is not, the parent will have to apply for a new passport to get the spouse’s name endorsed on it.
  • If you apply using the Annexure D form, then both parents have to consent to the process. In situations where one of the spouses is living abroad, they can prove consent through an affidavit. This has to be attested by the Indian Embassy or Indian Mission. The parent living abroad will also have to submit photocopies of their passport.
  • Alternatively, if one of the parents is not available to consent to the minor passport, Annexure C form can be used by the available parent.

Passport Application for Children / Minors

The process of applying for a minor passport is as simple as the normal adult passport. This is all thanks to computers and the internet. The steps involved in applying for a minor passport are similar to those involved in applying for a normal passport.

The procedure can be carried out by both parents, one of the parents or by a guardian. If both parents are living abroad, they need to both visit the Indian embassy and give consent to the procedure in the form of an affidavit. It is also mandatory for the child to be present in the office during the application process, irrespective of the age of the child.

The parents or guardians applying for the minor’s passport should then follow these steps:

Passport Validity For Minor

• • In India, all minors can apply for a 5-year passport. Children aged between 15 and 18 years old, however, have the option of applying for a 5-year passport or a normal 10-year passport depending on their preference.
  • The 5-year passport expires when the minor turns 18, or when the 5-year period is over, whichever comes first. The normal 10-year passport is subject to the same procedure and terms as a normal adult’s passport.
  • A normal 10-year passport costs more than a 5-year minor passport. Besides, normal passports are subject to police verification, unlike minor passports.

Documents Required For Fresh Passport For Minors

• • Birth proof
  • Residence proof

For minor applicants, present address proof in the name of parent(s) can be submitted.

• • Parent: Aadhar card, Bank passbook, voter id, driving license (any 2 documents)
  • Minor: Aadhar card
  • Parents passport original (both)

It is better to carry the original and self-attested copies of parents’ Passport to PSK if the parents have a passport.

• • For minor applicants, parents should attest the documents.
  • Photocopy of child’s birth certificate – attested by Parents
  • School study certificate & ID card
  • Annexure D – Declaration signed by Parents

SPECIMEN DECLARATION BY APPLICANT’S PARENT(S) OR GUARDIAN FOR ISSUE OF PASSPORT TO MINOR (On plain paper)

• Ration Card – Showing family (optional )
• Marriage certificate if the spouse’s name has not been endorsed on a parent’s Passport etc.

Passport renewal for minor in India

A minor is someone who is under the age of 18. The validity of a minor passport is five years and when it got expired, a minor can apply for a re-issue of passport under the minor category. If a minor is between 15-18 yrs,
then they can apply for 10 years passport. Renewal of passport for minor is as simple as like normal passport.

Passport For Newborn Baby In India

As per the passport application rules, newborn baby below the age of 4 has to get their passport photos taken before reporting to the passport office. Children over four years should bring their passport photo to Passport Seva Kendra. The photo of the baby has to be taken with strict adherence to the given specifications.

• First, the photo should be of the standard passport size. This is 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm.
• It should be a very recent photo.
• The color is very important in the passport photo. Black and white photos are not accepted at the PSK/ PO, and this will only result in inconveniences for you. The baby should be dressed in dark clothing and the background has to be plain white.
• It is also necessary for the baby’s face to be expressionless, with the edges of the face within the view of the camera. The face should be in the center of the photo.

Documents For New Born Baby Passport

• Birth proof
• Residence proof
• ForNew Born Baby applicants, present address proof in the name of parent(s) can be submitted.
• Parent: Aadhar card, Bank passbook, voter id, driving license (any 2)
• Parents passport original (both)

It is better to carry the original and self-attested copies of parents’ Passport to PSK if the parents have a passport.

• For passport for the baby , parents should attest the documents.
• Photocopy of child’s birth certificate – attested by Parents
• Annexure D – Declaration signed by Parents

SPECIMEN DECLARATION BY APPLICANT’S PARENT(S) OR GUARDIAN FOR ISSUE OF PASSPORT TO MINOR (On plain paper)

• Marriage certificate if the spouse’s name has not been endorsed on a parent’s Passport etc.

Passport Fee for Minors under 18 / Baby Passport Fee

• Normal Fresh Passport – 1000 INR
• Tatkal Fresh Passport – 3000 INR
• Normal Re-issue passport (less than 15 yrs) – 1000 INR
• Normal Re-issue passport (15 yrs- 18 yrs, 36 pages) – 1500 INR
• Normal Re-issue passport (15yrs- 18yrs, 60 pages)-2000 INR
• Tatkal Re-issue passport (less than 15 yrs) – 3000 INR
• Tatkal Re-issue passport (15 yrs- 18 yrs, 36 pages) – 3500 INR
• Tatkal Re-issue passport (15yrs- 18yrs, 60 pages) -4000 INR

FAQ

Q:If one of the parents is not able or willing to consent the process of applying for a minor passport, what options do I have?

A: It is necessary and mandatory for both parents to consent the minor’s passport. If the parent is abroad, this can be done by visiting the Indian Embassy, Indian Mission or Indian Consulate. However, if it is not possible, the parent applying for the minor’s passport can instead fill the Annexure C form. With this form, only one parent has to consent to the child’s passport.

Q: I want to get my passport processed within a shorter period. What can I do to make this happen?

A: If you are not willing to wait for the normal period, then you can apply for the Tatkal passport. This will, however, cost you more than a normal minor passport.

Q: Do all children have to apply for a minor passport?

A: Children below 15 years old can only be issued with a minor passport. Children between the ages of 15 and 18 can get a normal adult passport. All normal passports have to go through police verification, regardless of the age of the holder.

Q: What is the validity period for a minor passport?

A: Minor passports are valid for five years. If the five year period goes beyond your child’s 18th birthday, then the passport will simply expire when the child turns 18. Children over 15 years old can also receive normal ten-year passports.