IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ON PASSPORT & CONSULAR SERVICES
Notice: Government of India has discontinued issuance of 20 Year Passports
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
(a) Your passport is a valuable document. It should always be
either in your own custody or in the custody of a person duly
authorized by you. If lost or destroyed, the fact and circumstances
should be immediately reported to the nearest Indian Mission and to
the local police.
b) It is an offense under the Passports Act 1967 to give
false information in the Application. Passport facilities can be
denied on grounds of suppression of factual information, submission
of false particulars, wilful damage of passport and for making
unauthorized changes in the passports.
TIMING:
Applications for all passports / consular
services (Like issue of new / duplicate passports, renewals and
miscellaneous services on passports, legalization / attestation of
documents) are accepted between 9.15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. For
applications received up to 11:00 a.m.,the services are rendered on
the same day. No application is received after 1:00 p.m. except in
case of emergencies, such as death or illness in the family. The
passports and other documents , irespective of date or time of
submission , are delivered only between 4:30p.m.and 5:15p.m. on
working days. This time schedule does not apply to services where
prior approval is required from the authorities in India.
MAILING SERVICE:
Outstation applicants may send their
application for passport/consular service by certified/
registered/over night mail. However, applications for duplicate
passport in lieu of lost/damaged passport are accepted only in
person. Such passports are not despatched by mail.
Fee should be paid by Money Order / Bank Draft / Certified check
in the name of the Consulate General of India, New York. Cash is
accepted only at the counter.
Applications in straightforward cases sent in by mail, normally
take about two days for processing. This is in addition to the time
taken in mail (one to two weeks). Kindly also refrain from making enquiries with regard to whether your application has been received by us during this first 2 weeks.This time schedule does not apply
to issue or renewal of passports and some other services for which
REFERENCE HAS TO BE MADE TO COMPETENT AUTHORITIES IN INDIA.
Please refrain from making telephonic or written enquiries in
such cases about the status of your application, as it takes about
45 days to complete enquiries.
The Consulate will get in touch with applicants in cases where
the applications are incomplete / incorrect, the fees sent are not
adequate or not paid in the acceptable manner or where there are
other deficiencies.
For return of passport by mail, please send a self-addressed and
adequately stamped envelope along with your application. For
despatch of passports by overnight service, please send an
additional amount of $15 to cover the mailing expenses. THE
CONSULATE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DOCUMENTS LOST IN MAIL. Prepaid mailing envelopes such as FedEx, UPS, AirBorne, etc. are not accepted.
A PASSPORT SHOULD NOT BE SENT OUT OF ANY COUNTRY BY POST.
FEE FOR VARIOUS PASSPORT & CONSULAR SERVICES
(Personal Checks are not accepted)
(i)
New Passport 36 pages(also for renewal after expiry of ten years)
$24.00
(xiii)
Deletion of child's name
$8.00
(ii)
New Passport 60 Pages (also for renewal after expiry of ten years)
$32.00
(xiv)
Emigration Certificate waiver
$8.00
(iii)
Indian Passport for minor children (under 15 years of age)
5 years validity
$12.00
(xv)
Life Certificate
$11.00
(iv)
Additional Booklet (36 pages)
$24.00
(xvi)
Birth / Marriage/Death Certificate
$21.00
(v)
Additional Booklet (60 pages)
$32.00
(xvii)
Police Clearance Certificate
$11.00
(vi)
Duplicate Passport
(in lieu of lost / damaged
passports)
$200.00
(xviii)
Attestation of Affidavit / Documents (not related
to property matters)
$11.00
(vii)
Renewal of Passport
No Fee
(xix)
Attestation of Affidavit / Documents (related to
property matters)
$21.00
(viii)
Emergency Travel Document
$6.00
(xx)
Attestation of Affidavit/ Documents (Related to Commercial Matters) $52.00
(ix)
Renewal of Emergency Travel Document
$16.00
(xxi)
Attestation of documents related to No Obligation To
Return to India(for J-1 visa holders)
$66.00
(x)
Indentity Certificate
$8.00
(xxii)
Change of name/ Maiden to Married (Issue of New Passport Booklet)
$24.00
(xi)
Renewal of Indentity Certificate
$4.00
(xxiii)
Registration of Marriage
$52.00
(xi)
Endorsement on Identity Certificate
$8.00
MAILING SERVICE:
Outstation applicants may send their application for passport/consular service by certified/ registered/over night mail. However, applications for duplicate passport in lieu of lost/damaged passport are accepted only in person. Such passports are not despatched by mail.(Personal Checks are not accepted)
| (i) | New Passport 36 pages(also for renewal after expiry of ten years)
|
$24.00 | (xiii) | Deletion of child's name | $8.00 |
| (ii) | New Passport 60 Pages (also for renewal after expiry of ten years) | $32.00 | (xiv) | Emigration Certificate waiver | $8.00 |
| (iii) | Indian Passport for minor children (under 15 years of age) 5 years validity |
$12.00 | (xv) | Life Certificate | $11.00 |
| (iv) | Additional Booklet (36 pages) | $24.00 | (xvi) | Birth / Marriage/Death Certificate | $21.00 |
| (v) | Additional Booklet (60 pages) | $32.00 | (xvii) | Police Clearance Certificate | $11.00 |
| (vi) | Duplicate Passport (in lieu of lost / damaged passports) |
$200.00 | (xviii) | Attestation of Affidavit / Documents (not related to property matters) | $11.00 |
| (vii) | Renewal of Passport | No Fee | (xix) | Attestation of Affidavit / Documents (related to property matters) | $21.00 |
| (viii) | Emergency Travel Document |
$6.00 | (xx) | Attestation of Affidavit/ Documents (Related to Commercial Matters) | $52.00 |
| (ix) | Renewal of Emergency Travel Document | $16.00 | (xxi) | Attestation of documents related to No Obligation To Return to India(for J-1 visa holders) | $66.00 |
| (x) | Indentity Certificate | $8.00 | (xxii) | Change of name/ Maiden to Married (Issue of New Passport Booklet) | $24.00 |
| (xi) | Renewal of Indentity Certificate | $4.00 | (xxiii) | Registration of Marriage | $52.00 |
| (xi) | Endorsement on Identity Certificate | $8.00 |
(Please dont forget to provide one extra copy of the documents in case of attestation & legalisation.)
Please tender the exact amount in the form of Money order/Bank Draft/ Certified Check in the name of ConsulateGeneral of India or by cash at the counter. We regret our inability to accept currency notes of denomination higher than $50.00. Please insist on a receipt for any money paid at the counter and present the same for collection of passports / documents between 4:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
PHOTO:
For issue of a new passport please attach FIVE passport size photographs (passport size) along with the application form, showing frontal view of full face. Two photos are required for extension of validity of current passport.
NEW PASSPORT OR RENEWAL AFTER 10 YEARS (F OR FINAL)
Application for a new passport has to be made when applicant's old passport has completed 10 years (Final or F). The Application for a new passport can be made also up to one year before the expiry of the Passport (10 years). This is different from Extension of validity of a passport which is applied for in case of short validity passports (where validity is either 6 months or one year) and this service can be rendered on passports only up to a total of ten years which is the prescribed life of an Indian passport booklet after which the validity cannot be extended on the same booklet and therefore a new booklet needs to be issued and applied for. In reckoning 10 years, life of any additional booklet in possession should also be added. Also, in case of possession of a duplicate passport 10 years has to be counted from the date of issue of the original passport in lieu of which the duplicate passport has been issued.
The application needs to be made on the "Application Form for an Indian Passport". Other requirements are:
- Old Passport (in original)
- Five passport size photographs showing frontal view of full face
- Index card
- Affidavit
- Photocopy of the first five pages of passport
- Pages indicating US visa.
- Green card, employment authorization card or other valid visa documents have to be submitted in original. (In case application is being mailed a notarised copy of these documents can be sent).
- Fee of US $ 24 for normal booklet of 36 pages or US$ 32 for jumbo booklet having 60 pages especially useful for frequent travellers. Fee can be paid in cash (only at the counter), or in money orders or certified checks at the counter or by mail.
In case application is being made by mail, US$ 15 for express mail or US$ 3 for certified mail may be added for return mailing of the passport after service. Please do not send pre-paid envelopes. Please also note that PERSONAL CHECKS are not accepted. Applicants must produce originals of documents whose copies have been submitted along with the application for verification if asked for by a Consulate official.
EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OR RENEWAL OF A SHORT VALIDITY PASSPORT:
The validity of a passport can be extended up to 10 years from the date of issue. Please note that after the passport has completed 10 years, there is a need to apply for a New Passport in an "Application Form for an Indian Passport". In reckoning 10 years, life of any additional booklet in possession should also be added. Also, in case of possession of a duplicate passport 10 years has to be counted from the date of issue of the original passport in lieu of which the duplicate passport has been issued.
For this "Application Forms for Extension of Validity" needs to be filled up along with the following:
- Passport in original
- Two passport size photographs showing frontal view of full face
- A photocopy of the first five pages of your passport
- Pages indicating US visa.
- Green card or Employment Authorisation Card (EAC) in original. If application is being mailed notarised copy of green card or EAC, whichever is applicable has to be sent.
- In case application for Green Card or EAC is pending/being processed, a copy of documents in support of this fact may be deposited.
There is no fee for extension of validity of passport. However, In case application is being made by mail, US$ 15 for express mail or US$ 3 for certified mail in the form of a money order or certified checks may be added for return mailing of the passport after service. Please do not send pre-paid envelopes. Please also note that PERSONAL CHECKS are not accepted.
Applicants must produce originals of documents whose copies have been submitted along with the application for verification if asked for by a Consulate official.
APPLICATION FOR ADDITIONAL BOOKLET:
This application is made for additional booklet when the all the pages in the existing passport have been exhausted and the old passport booklet continues to be valid.
The application needs to be made on the "Application Form for an Indian Passport". Other requirements are:
- Old Passport (in original)
- Five passport size photographs showing frontal view of full face
- Index card
- Affidavit
- Photocopy of the first five pages of passport
- Pages indicating US visa.
- Green card, employment authorization card or other valid visa documents have to be submitted in original. (In case application is being mailed a notarised copy of these documents can be sent).
- Fee of US $ 24 for normal booklet of 36 pages or US$ 32 for jumbo booklet having 60 pages especially useful for frequent travellers. Fee can be paid in cash (only at the counter), or in money orders or certified checks at the counter or by mail.
In case application is being made by mail, US$ 15 for express mail or US$ 3 for certified mail may be added for return mailing of the passport after service. Please do not send pre-paid envelopes. Please also note that PERSONAL CHEQUES are not accepted. Applicants must produce originals of documents whose copies have been submitted along with the application for verification if asked for by a Consulate official.
PASSPORT FOR THE CHILDREN
All minor children ( upto age of 15 years) will need to have a separate passport. Children's name will no longer be included in either parent's passport. Passport of the minor child will be valid for five years from date of issue or till 15 years of age whichever is less and the fee is $12.00 . No objection certificate is required from both parents. For more information please call (212) 7740610 / 7740662.
CHANGE OF NAME
: For change of name or surname, consequent to marriage/divorce, please submit original marriage certificate, along with photocopy, duly notarized,. Husband's passport is also required.
In all other cases of change of name/surname, in the passport, the change has first to be advertised in a daily news paper,both in U.S.A. and India (circulation in the area of your permanent and present residence). Original newspaper clippings are required to be submitted. An affidavit, duly notarised, is also required . Request for change of name for any other purpose is not normally entertained.
APPLICATIONS FOR CHANGE IN DATE OF BIRTH NOT ENTERTAINED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A COURT ORDER ISSUED BY BY A JUDICIAL OFFICER NOT BELOW THE RANK OF FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE INDIA.
DUPLICATE PASSPORTS: (IN LIEU OF LOST/DAMAGED PASSPORTS)
They are issued in lieu of lost or damaged passports only. The application needs to be made on the "Application Form for an Indian Passport". Other requirements are:- A FEE of $200.00. Fee can be paid in cash (only at the counter), or in money orders or certified checks at the counter or by mail. Please note that PERSONAL CHECKS are not accepted.
- Twelve photographs
- Police report (in original) about loss of passport
- Photocopy of Green Card/Employment authorization card or valid or expired visa (as applicable) as well as the original
- Photocopy of the passport in case it has been lost and original passport in case the passport is sought to be replaced due to damage
- Citizenship affidavit to be notarised (form available with the Consulate or on the worldwide web)
- Seven copies of the prescribed proforma to be obtained from the Consulate or worldwide web for verification of particulars
- Current School ID and Letter from school/college in the USA (in case of students only)
- Matriculation certificate/School Leaving Certificate or any other school records in India or the USA
- Birth Certificate
- Driver License (issued in India and the USA),
- Any Indian Photo Identity card or any Indian document indicating Indian nationality
- Proof of stay in the USA (from the date indicated in the application form by the applicant), such as Telephone Bill, house lease deed/bank certificate/insurance policy, job letter or any other evidence.
- Photocopy of passport of spouse/parents as applicable
Applications for duplicate passport are not accepted by post and such passports are not dispatched by post. Applicant has to come in person for filing application for a duplicate passport. It normally takes three to six months in completing this process and duplicate passports can be issued only on receipt of clearances from the concerned authorities in India. Applicants are, therefore, requested to refrain from making written or telephone enquiries during this period. Applicants must bring originals of documents whose copies have been submitted along with the application for verification.
It is important to furnish full, accurate and truthful information in the form. Misrepresentation of facts may entail denial of passport facilities. Applications received with incomplete details will remain unprocessed. A duplicate passport may not be issued for the second loss/damage of passport. Habitual losers of passports will be denied further passport facilities.
EMERGENCY TRAVEL DOCUMENT : An Emergency Certificate (one-way travel document) which authorises an Indian to enter India, is issued to the citizen of India whose passports have been lost, stolen or damaged and to whom new passports cannot be isssued without approval from India. This is primarily with the objective of ensuring their return to India. For details, please call 212-774-0600 ext 801.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
: An additional amount of $30 is charged for rendering emergency service. This service is available only in cases of genuine emergency such as death or serious illness in the family and cases not falling under prior approval categories form India. Applications for emergency services can be submitted from 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all working days. Such service is also provided on Saturdays and holidays between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.INCOMPLETE / FALSE INFORMATION
: Application forms should be filled in fully , legibly (In capital letters) and accurately and submitted with the passport. Misrepresentation of the facts may result in denial of passport / Consular service. Applications received with incomplete details will remain unprocessed.NO REFUNDS: Fees, once received, cannot be refunded, even if the application is withdrawn or service cannot be rendered.
GENERAL INQUIRIES OR SUPPLY OF FORMS: Please write to the Consulate General of India, 3 East 64th Street, New York, N.Y. 10021 or telephone 212-774-0600. The other telephone no. are:New passport mailing inquiry 212-774-0641. Extensions/Miscellaneos service mailing inquiries on 212-774-0606. Duplicate passport inquiries 212-774-0608. For Legalization/Attestation of documents: 212-774-0600 or 212-774-0667. our fax no is 212-570-9581.
APPEAL: The Consulate earnestly appeals to the members of the Indian community not to pay more than the prescribed amount of Consular fee to anyone or encourage any middlemen or agents as it spoils the reputation of the community. In any event, public should not make any payment for which receipt is not given by the Consulate.The community should take every precaution against accepting forged/counterfeit travel document from unscrupulous elements.
FOR TOURIST INFORMATION ON INDIA: Please write to Govt. of India Tourist Office, 1270 Avenue of Americas, Suite 1808, New York, NY 10020. TEL. (212) 586-4901, Fax (212) 582-3274.
For information on air travel to India, please write to or telephone : AIR INDIA, 345 Park Avenue (32nd Floor),NY Tel (212) 751-6200 & (718) 632-0121
| NOTE: | (1) The above instructions are subject to change from time to time. Please write or telephone the Consulate for updated information. |
| (2) Facilities exist on Consulate premises for Pay telephones and taking photographs. |