Police verification for passport online process
The online process for police verification for passport involves:
- Application submission: Applicants apply for a passport online and provide necessary documents.
- Verification request: Passport authorities forward the applicant's details to the local police station.
- Police verification: Local police conduct inquiries and visit the applicant's residence to verify identity and address.
- Status update: The status of police verification for passport is updated online, indicating if the verification is pending, completed, or requires further action.
- Passport issuance: Upon successful verification, the passport is issued to the applicant. If discrepancies are found, the applicant may be required to provide additional documents or explanations.
Offline passport police verification process
The process of police verification for passport is an important step in getting a passport and can take up to a few months. Here are the steps involved in the process:
Step 1:
Passport application submission: Submit the passport application along with the required documents at the passport office.
Step 2:
Document verification: The passport office scrutinises the application and checks for valid documents.
Step 3:
Forwarding the application to local police station: The passport office forwards the application to the respective police station for verification.
Step 4:
Police verification: The police verify the applicant's details and address by visiting their residence and workplace.
Step 5:
Submission of police report: The police submit the verification report to the passport office.
Step 6:
Passport approval: Once approved, the passport is printed, and the applicant is notified via SMS or email.
What are the fees for police verification in a passport application?
Police verification is a crucial step in the passport issuance process, ensuring the applicant’s identity and address are verified. In India, there is no separate fee charged specifically for police verification as it is included within the overall passport application fee. Applicants only need to pay the standard application charges while submitting the passport form, depending on the type of passport (normal or tatkal). The passport office then coordinates directly with the local police authorities to complete the verification process without extra cost.
Documents required for police verification for new passport
The effectiveness of the process of police verification for passport depends on the precision and authenticity of the documents submitted by the passport applicant. Below is the list of documents required for police verification for passport:
- Proof of identity: Aadhar card, voter ID, PAN card, or any other government-issued ID.
- Proof of address: Utility bills, rent agreement, or any document verifying the applicant's current residence.
- Passport application form: A copy of the submitted passport application form with all relevant details.
- Photographs: Recent passport-size photographs as per the prescribed guidelines.
- Additional documents: Depending on the specific requirements, additional documents may be requested by the authorities. These could include marriage certificates, educational certificates, or any other document deemed necessary for verification.
Passport police verification documents for re-issue/renewal passport
Following are the documents required for police verification for passport re-issue/renewal:
- Old passport: Original and a photocopy of the first and last two pages, including ECR/Non-ECR page, and page of observation, if any.
- Proof of address: Updated address proof such as Aadhaar card, utility bills, or bank statements.
- Proof of identity: Any government-issued ID like Aadhaar card, PAN card, or Voter ID.
- Proof of date of birth: Birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or PAN card (if the date of birth has changed).
- Self-attested copies: Photocopies of all required documents, self-attested by the applicant.
- Additional documents: If there are any changes in personal details like name or address, additional documents like marriage certificate, divorce decree, or deed poll are required.
How to check the status of police verification for passport?
Your passport application undergoes a police verification process to assess your eligibility. The police assign a status to your application based on the verification results. There are three possible statuses:
- Clear: Your application is approved, and there are no issues with your address, identity, or legal records.
- Adverse: The verification is pending due to issues with your address or identity. Your passport might be delayed or cancelled until these issues are resolved.
- Incomplete: Your application lacks necessary documents or information. This could be due to a short stay at your current address or other reasons.
How to check your passport police verification status:
- Passport Seva Website: Visit the official website.
- Toll-free number: Call 1800 258 1800.
- SMS: Send "STATUS FILE NUMBER" to 9704 100 100.
- mPassport Seva App: Use the mobile app.
Note: If your status is adverse or incomplete, you may need to provide additional documents or address discrepancies to proceed with your passport application.
Common issues during police verification and how to solve them
It’s common for applicants to face delays or queries during police verification. Missing documents, address mismatches, or incomplete forms can cause hurdles. To avoid setbacks, always keep ID proofs updated and track your police passport verification status online. Staying proactive ensures faster verification and smoother passport processing.
How long does police verification take for a passport?
After addressing possible issues, the next big question is about timelines. Generally, police verification takes around two to three weeks, depending on local jurisdiction efficiency. Once cleared, you may also need a passport police clearance certificate if you’re travelling abroad for work, study, or long-term residency. Timely follow-ups speed up the process.
Situations when police verification for passport is exempted
Following are the conditions when police verification for passport is not required:
Government employees
Government employees can be exempted from police verification for passport if they provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer. This expedites the process.
Minors and senior citizens
Minors below 18 years and senior citizens above 65 years may get exemptions if they provide relevant passport police verification documents, such as birth certificates or age proofs.
Diplomatic and official passports
Individuals applying for diplomatic or official passports are usually exempt from police verification due to their official status and responsibilities.
These exemptions help streamline the passport issuance process while ensuring necessary security protocols.
Police verification for passport is an essential process to ensure the authenticity of the documents submitted and for national security reasons. With this article's information on the types of police verification, the required documents, passport police verification status tracking, and the online submission process, applicants can be more equipped to complete the process successfully. Just like comparing health insurance plans helps you safeguard your health and finances, following the relevant passport guidelines and providing genuine documents ensures a hassle-free application experience.