I had an incredible experience of progressive India while going through the process of getting passport (Normal) of my 5 month old son. Hope these details will help someone who are planning to apply in Bangalore.
Process:
On a very high level, process is more or less the same as that for an adult. Only difference is the preference given since it is for a minor and the police verification.
Step by Step:
1. Once you decide to get a passport for your child, first thing that is needed is to create an ID at http://passportindia.gov.in/
2. Check for availability of the appointments at your convenient location. In my case, I had gone for Passport Seva Kendra, Sai Arcade, Outer Ring Road, Bengaluru.
3. If the appointments are normally available, you can start the application process.
4. Get passport size picture of your child taken. I would strongly recommend a professional studio as it was extremely difficult to get my 5 month old boy to be still. Photo studios do an amazing Photoshop work to get the picture as per requirements.
Note: Instant pictures are not accepted. Hence give yourself at least a day for this. Both the ears should be visible as this ensures the full face of your child is visible. Baby should not be giggling, smiling or crying.
5. Fill in the application for online. You can save the form and resume as many times as you want before submitting. You will be asked to confirm the details once again in the passport office.
6. Go for online payment and appointment booking. Although booking appointment is not mandatory, it saves a lot of hassle and helps us to be planned. Appointments can be rescheduled twice. It is not needed to go at the same time mentioned in the appointment as minors do not need appointments.
7. Take a print of the appointment letter. No need to take print of the application form.
8. Confirm the payment details once again.
9. Get the copies of required documents in place. In my case, I had the following documents:
a) Address Proof: Aadhaar card of my wife (I had applied in the name of my wife since my name is endorsed in her passport). Since we had not lived in the same house for more than a year, I had provided address proof letter from my company HR. Note: The company provided letter should be on company letter head, signed, stamped and it has to be original. As a rule it is mandatory to have parents address proof(s) for the last 1 year stay. However, it is discretion of the passport issuing authority to ask for such detail. In my case, there were no questions raised, possibly because of both parents having passport and reputed company HR letter provided. I had read in several forums about the address in parents' passport should be same as the address proof etc. Well, it may help to have that but it is not necessary.
b) Date of Birth Certificate issued by Bangalore Birth and Death registrar
c) First page and last page copies of passports of both the parents
d) Passport size photo of the child
Put them in the same order listed above. Keep the copies and originals separate and in the same order. If you want to be extra sure, you can take all other documents in a different file to make it easier at the passport office.
D Day:
Process:
On a very high level, process is more or less the same as that for an adult. Only difference is the preference given since it is for a minor and the police verification.
Step by Step:
1. Once you decide to get a passport for your child, first thing that is needed is to create an ID at http://passportindia.gov.in/
2. Check for availability of the appointments at your convenient location. In my case, I had gone for Passport Seva Kendra, Sai Arcade, Outer Ring Road, Bengaluru.
3. If the appointments are normally available, you can start the application process.
4. Get passport size picture of your child taken. I would strongly recommend a professional studio as it was extremely difficult to get my 5 month old boy to be still. Photo studios do an amazing Photoshop work to get the picture as per requirements.
Note: Instant pictures are not accepted. Hence give yourself at least a day for this. Both the ears should be visible as this ensures the full face of your child is visible. Baby should not be giggling, smiling or crying.
5. Fill in the application for online. You can save the form and resume as many times as you want before submitting. You will be asked to confirm the details once again in the passport office.
6. Go for online payment and appointment booking. Although booking appointment is not mandatory, it saves a lot of hassle and helps us to be planned. Appointments can be rescheduled twice. It is not needed to go at the same time mentioned in the appointment as minors do not need appointments.
7. Take a print of the appointment letter. No need to take print of the application form.
8. Confirm the payment details once again.
9. Get the copies of required documents in place. In my case, I had the following documents:
a) Address Proof: Aadhaar card of my wife (I had applied in the name of my wife since my name is endorsed in her passport). Since we had not lived in the same house for more than a year, I had provided address proof letter from my company HR. Note: The company provided letter should be on company letter head, signed, stamped and it has to be original. As a rule it is mandatory to have parents address proof(s) for the last 1 year stay. However, it is discretion of the passport issuing authority to ask for such detail. In my case, there were no questions raised, possibly because of both parents having passport and reputed company HR letter provided. I had read in several forums about the address in parents' passport should be same as the address proof etc. Well, it may help to have that but it is not necessary.
b) Date of Birth Certificate issued by Bangalore Birth and Death registrar
c) First page and last page copies of passports of both the parents
d) Passport size photo of the child
Put them in the same order listed above. Keep the copies and originals separate and in the same order. If you want to be extra sure, you can take all other documents in a different file to make it easier at the passport office.
D Day:
- Reach the office at your convenient time based on the best time for your child.
- Show the appointment letter to the security guard. Both the parents are allowed.
- Go straight to the counter marked for Minors/Senior citizens.
- Produce the appointment letter, copies of the documents, photo and originals when asked.
- All documents will be verified and if found in order, you will be issued a file and a token number.
- Hereafter there will be 3 counters through which the file will flow. Display screens will tell you which counter you will have to go to.
- Counter A: All your documents will be verified against the originals and scanned. You will be asked to confirm the details filled in online once again. Photo will be scanned and given back. Rs. 35 will be collected if we opt for SMS service
- Counter B: Originals will be checked again.
- Counter C: This is the final counter and Govt. employee will decide if a passport can be given and if any police verification is required. In our case, since it is for a baby and all documents were provided, no further verification was done. File was taken and were told that everything is in place and we will get an acknowledgement at the exit.
- Exit: An acknowledgement form will be given with file number, police verification requirements, passport application status etc. In our case, there is no police verification required. A feedback form will be given to share the experience.
Tips and Wow factors:
- Don't mix up additional documents which you may want to carry just to be double sure. Most likely you will not be asked for any additional documents for a minor's passport.
- Be polite and thank everyone who are doing their job
- Place is extremely organised with knowledgeable staff, ample space inside, well placed displays and PA system, supervisors to ensure special preference is given to minor applicants.
- There is small pantry inside in case you want to have a quick bite
- Infant feeding and nappy change area is available
Time line:
19th Aug 2015, 2:45 PM: Reached PSK although appointment time is 3 PM.
19th Aug 2015, 2:50 PM: Documents verified, file created and token number issued
19th Aug 2015, 3:00 PM: Documents scanned, application verified and originals verified at counter A
19th Aug 2015, 3:10 PM: Originals verified at counter B
19th Aug 2015, 3:15 PM: Details confirmed at Counter C and Passport recommended for Issuance.
19th Aug 2015, 3:20 PM: Acknowledgement given at the exit
19th Aug 2015, 3:30 PM: Received SMS that the passport application has been forwarded for printing
20th Aug 2015, 12:00 PM: Received SMS that the passport printing has been completed and QA will be performed before dispatching
21st Aug 2015, 12:00 PM: Received SMS that the passport has been dispatched with a speed post consignment number
22nd Aug 2015 03:00 PM: Received passport through speed post
Amazing service and speedy processing
