Telangana HC Clarifies Custodial Parent Can Apply For Minor’s Passport Without Other Parent’s Consent

Recently, Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya of the Telangana High Court has ruled that a single parent with custodial rights over a minor child does not require signature of the other parent when applying for the child's passport.
Justice Bhattacharya noted that Passport Act of 1967 does not prohibit a single parent from applying for a passport for a minor child. Additionally, the 1980 Passport Rules allow a parent with exclusive custody to do so without consent of the other parent, even if the parents are separated but not legally divorced.

Background

The ruling comes as a petition was filed by a four-year-old girl, represented by her mother, challenging the Hyderabad regional passport officer's requirement for either the father's consent or a court order to obtain the child's passport.

The minor girl's counsel, Zeeshan Adnan Mahmood, argued that the father had abandoned the child and moved to the US, where he relinquished his Indian citizenship. Meanwhile, the mother's divorce petition is still pending before a Hyderabad court, and the father has not claimed custody of the child.

Passports For Minors In India

It is a legal travel document for children under the age of eighteen, serving as a proof of identity and nationality while traveling internationally.

Who Can Apply For Passports For Minor In India ?

A minor's passport application can be submitted by a parent or legal guardian.

How To Apply For Passport For Minor In India ?

Follow these steps to apply for passport for a minor

Step 1 - Create an account for the minor on Passport Seva website

Step 2 - Fill in the online application form with the required details

Step 3 - Pay the application fee for a minor's passport using available payment methods

Step 4 - Book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra and select a convenient location

Step 5 - Visit the Passport Seva Kendra and submit the following documents to the passport officer

• Birth certificate
• Aadhar card or proof of address of parent/s
• Passport of both parents (if available)
• Proof of nationality of both parents (if the child was born outside India)
• Application form
• Fee receipt

If all the documents are in order, the passport officer will process the application. In case of any errors or missing information, the officer will notify the applicant for corrections.

Step 6 - Upon acceptance, an Application Reference Number will be provided, which will help the applicants to track application status of the passport.

Step 7 - After application is ready it will be either delivered to the registered communication address or can be collected directly from the passport office.

Fee Structure For Minor Passport In India

Type	Age Group	Pages	Fee
Normal Passport	Under 15 years	36 pages	Rs 1,000
Tatkal Passport	Under 15 years	36 pages	Rs 3,000
Normal Passport	15 years to 18 years	36 pages	Rs 1,500
Normal Passport	15 years to 18 years	60 pages	Rs 2,000
Tatkal Passport	15 years to 18 years	36 pages	Rs 3,500
Tatkal Passport	15 years to 18 years	60 pages	Rs 4,000