Indian Passport Eligibility — Who Can Apply and What You Must Meet
Eligibility for an Indian passport is simple in concept—be an Indian citizen with reliable identity, address,
and date-of-birth proof—but practical details vary by age, history, and circumstances. This page explains
eligibility rules for adults and minors, special cases like name changes or adoption, when police verification
applies, and how to avoid borderline situations that slow your file. Use it as a preparation checklist before
you start the application.
Core Eligibility — The Non-Negotiables
An Indian passport may be issued to a person who is a citizen of India and can establish identity, address, and
date of birth through accepted documents. In addition, the applicant must not be disqualified under applicable
law (for example, due to certain criminal restrictions or prohibitions on travel). Most first-time applicants
clear eligibility easily when their document trail is clean and consistent.
Citizenship
Must be an Indian citizen by birth, descent, registration, or naturalization, as applicable.
Overseas Indian citizens (OCI) are not Indian citizens for passport issuance; they hold passports of their country of nationality.
Identity & Address
Provide a stable identity trail: Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, or previous passport.
Provide current address proof: Aadhaar, utility bills, bank statement, or registered rent agreement.
Date of Birth
Birth certificate or other accepted school/municipal records showing exact name and DOB.
The DOB on all documents and the application must match exactly.
Tip: Keep your name order (first/middle/last) the same across Aadhaar, PAN, bank records, and the application to avoid verification queries.
Adults (18+) — Typical Eligibility Pattern
Adults with steady residence and standard IDs generally face straightforward processing. You are eligible if you
can prove Indian citizenship, present a current residential address, and confirm your date of birth. Police
verification may occur before or after issuance depending on your record, jurisdiction, and service type (Normal
or Tatkal). Background or court-related matters do not automatically block eligibility, but they can change the
verification route and timelines.
Key Points for Adults
Residence continuity: If you have recently moved, keep both old and new address proofs handy.
Name consistency: Initials and hyphens should appear uniformly across all IDs.
Marital status: If using a spouse’s name or changing surname, maintain supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate or Gazette).
If your bank KYC shows your current address, a recent statement can be a strong supporting proof alongside Aadhaar.
Minors (Under 18) — Consent & Relationship Proofs
Minors are fully eligible for Indian passports with parental/guardian consent and additional relationship
documents. The application is filed by a parent/guardian, and both parents’ details are typically captured. Where
one parent is unavailable, specific declarations may be required. The eligibility test focuses on the child’s DOB,
citizenship status, and lawful guardianship.
What to Prepare for Minors
DOB proof: Birth certificate with correct name and spellings.
Parents’ identity: Aadhaar/passport copies of both parents; marriage certificate if relevant.
Address proof: Usually in a parent’s name at the child’s current residence.
Consent: Standard consent form; additional affidavit if one parent is unavailable.
For infants, ensure the birth certificate details match the chosen name and spellings in all places.
Special Eligibility Situations — What Changes and What Doesn’t
Some applicants meet core eligibility but have life events that change the documentation pattern. The principles
remain the same—prove identity, address, DOB, and citizenship—but the supporting trail is adjusted. Here are the
most common scenarios and how they impact eligibility review.
1) Name Change (Marriage, Divorce, Personal Choice)
Eligibility remains intact; you’ll apply with updated particulars.
Provide marriage certificate or Gazette notification as applicable.
Synchronize your bank, PAN, and Aadhaar to avoid mismatched records during verification.
2) Adoption
Children adopted in accordance with law are eligible; submit adoption deed/court order and updated birth records if applicable.
Ensure the child’s DOB and name appear consistently in all new records.
3) Guardianship / Single Parent
Where one parent is absent or sole custody applies, eligibility continues with lawful guardianship documents and prescribed declarations/affidavits.
Complete the consent/annexure as per instructions to avoid appointment-day objections.
4) Change of Address or City
Eligibility is unaffected; provide current address proof and keep old address records ready in case of police verification queries.
For frequent movers (students, job transfers), a rental agreement plus utility bill/letter can stabilize the address trail.
5) Lost/Damaged Passport (Reissue Eligibility)
You remain eligible for reissue, but verification is stricter. File a police report (FIR) for loss and carry photocopies if available.
Expect additional questioning to establish identity and travel history.
6) Short Spells Abroad / NRI Applicants Temporarily in India
Citizen applicants temporarily visiting India can apply with local address proof or acceptable alternatives; eligibility is unchanged but documentation mix varies.
If primarily resident abroad, the Indian Mission/Post route may be more suitable.
7) Court/Legal Matters
Pending cases do not automatically erase eligibility, but court permissions, disclosures, or specific conditions may apply.
Disclose truthfully; non-disclosure can result in refusal or complications later.
Do not guess or “fill the gap” with inconsistent papers. If a life event changed your details, pause and fix the trail first—then apply.
Police Verification — When It Happens and Why It Matters
Police verification is a standard eligibility safeguard to confirm identity, address, and any disqualifying
factors. Depending on your category, service type, and jurisdiction, verification can be pre- or post-issuance.
Most applicants pass easily if they respond quickly and provide clear documents when contacted.
Be reachable: Keep your phone on; missed calls can delay the process.
Keep copies ready: Officers may ask for photocopies of the same proofs you uploaded.
Documents That Establish Eligibility — A Practical Matrix
The exact list varies by case, but the goal is always the same: prove citizenship, identity, address, and date of
birth convincingly. Use the matrix below to plan what to carry and upload.
Eligibility Element
Common Primary Proofs
Alternates / Supporting
Citizenship
Previous Indian passport; birth certificate (for citizens by birth); naturalization/registration certificate
School records showing place of birth; government letters; court orders where applicable
Ensure all scans are clear (300–400 DPI), upright, and uncropped. Verify that names, initials, and dates look exactly the same across every document.
Red Flags That Complicate Eligibility (But Often Can Be Fixed)
Most eligibility challenges arise from documentation inconsistencies, not from a lack of citizenship. If you see
yourself in any item below, fix the trail first and then apply—this saves weeks.
Multiple name spellings: Different spellings across Aadhaar, PAN, and bank KYC.
Address gaps: Frequent moves with no continuous proofs; hostel/PG stays without paperwork.
DOB mismatch: School record vs birth certificate showing differing formats or dates.
Unsynced marital status: Married in some records, single in others.
Unreported loss: Lost old passport without filing a report or gathering travel history.
Non-disclosure of court matters: Hiding information triggers deeper scrutiny.
Honesty is eligibility’s best friend. Disclose, document, and move forward—it’s faster than risking rejection.
Quick Scenarios — Are You Eligible?
Fresh adult applicant with standard IDs: Eligible. Keep Aadhaar, bank statement, and DOB proof ready.
Married last month, surname changed: Eligible. Provide marriage certificate and start updating all IDs for consistency.
Student in a hostel who moved cities: Eligible. Use rental/hostel letter + a bank/utility proof and keep old city proofs handy.
Single parent applying for a minor: Eligible. Provide lawful guardianship papers and required annexures.
Passport lost abroad, now in India: Eligible for reissue. File loss report, gather copies, and expect additional verification.
Pending court case: Usually eligible with disclosure; specific permissions may be required depending on the matter.
Eligibility Readiness Checklist — Pass at First Attempt
My name, initials, and DOB match across Aadhaar, PAN, bank KYC, and the application.
I have at least one strong, current address proof for my present residence.
For name changes, I have marriage certificate/Gazette and I’m updating all IDs.
For minors, I have consent forms, parents’ IDs, and relationship proofs ready.
If I lost a passport, I filed a report and collected any travel history evidence.
I’m reachable by phone and have photocopies ready for police verification.
Create a single PDF per category (Identity.pdf, Address.pdf, DOB.pdf). Fewer, cleaner files reduce appointment-day hiccups.
Eligibility – FAQs
Any Indian citizen above the age of 18 is eligible to apply for a passport, provided they can submit valid proof of identity, address, and date of birth.
Minors below 18 are also eligible, but their applications must be filed by parents/guardians with specific consent documents.
Yes. Minors are eligible for a passport, but the application has to be submitted by their parent(s) or legal guardian.
The validity period is shorter (usually 5 years or until they turn 18). Consent affidavits from both parents are often required.
Yes. NRIs can apply for or renew their Indian passport at Indian embassies/consulates abroad.
The process is largely similar but may require additional documentation such as residency permits and proof of overseas address.
The Ministry of External Affairs provides official eligibility criteria and document checklists for Indian passports.
Yes. Adopted children are fully eligible for an Indian passport, but the application must include legal adoption documents along with standard proofs of identity and residence.
Passports may not be issued if there are pending criminal cases or court restrictions.
However, applicants can sometimes apply with special court permission depending on the circumstances.
Yes. If you do not have a birth certificate, you can provide alternative documents such as a school leaving certificate, PAN card, or Aadhaar card (depending on age and case).
The authorities may also request an affidavit of birth.