Passport Office

Applicants can register and submit their passport applications online through the Passport Seva portal, pay the applicable fee, schedule an appointment, and visit the designated PSK or POPSK for document verification and biometric enrolment. Passport Offices handle the back-end processing, including passport printing, lamination and dispatch.

Currently, the Passport Seva network includes 11 Passport Offices, 37 Passport Seva Kendras and more than 101 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras across India, making passport services accessible to citizens in cities and smaller towns.

Types of Passport Service Centres in India

Passport services in India are run by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through four kinds of offices. Knowing what each one does helps you pick the right place to go and avoid wasted trips.

Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

PSKs are the main front offices for passport applications. They are run by the MEA together with a service partner and are usually found in larger cities.

• Services: fresh passports, renewals and re-issues, Tatkaal applications, passports for minors, and Police Clearance Certificates (PCC).
• At the centre: your documents are checked, and your photo and fingerprints are taken.
• Visit when: you have booked an online appointment.

Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)

POPSKs are passport counters inside head post offices, run by the MEA with the Department of Posts. They bring passport services closer to people in smaller towns and districts, so you do not have to travel to a big city.

• Services: application submission, document check and biometrics, much like a PSK. Some POPSKs also accept Police Clearance Certificate applications.
• Good to know: POPSKs often have earlier appointment dates than busy city PSKs.
• Visit when: you have booked an online appointment.

Passport Seva Laghu Kendra (PSLK)

A PSLK is a smaller version of a PSK, set up in places where a full centre is not needed.

It offers a limited set of passport services.

• Services: basic application submission and verification. Check the Passport Seva portal for exactly what your nearest PSLK handles.
• Visit when: you have booked an online appointment.

Regional Passport Office (RPO)

The RPO is the passport authority for a region. It oversees all the PSKs, POPSKs and PSLKs in its area and makes the final decision on each application.

• What it does: approves and prints passports, follows up on police verification, and handles applications on hold, special cases and grievances.
• Your RPO: the RPO for your current address processes your file, whichever centre you visit.
• Visit when: your application is on hold, you have a grievance, or the RPO asks you to come in. Most applicants never need to visit.

Tip: For almost every application, apply online first and then visit a PSK, POPSK or PSLK. Contact the RPO only if there is a problem with your application.

Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) list in India

Explore the complete list of Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) locations in India, organised by state and Regional Passport Office (RPO). Search by city or PSK name, or filter the list by state to quickly find the nearest PSK. 

Regional Passport Offices in India:

India has 11 Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) that provide passport-related services to citizens across different states and Union Territories. These offices oversee Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and other passport service centres within their respective jurisdictions. The Regional Passport Offices handle various passport services, including the processing and issuance of passports, verification-related activities and other consular services.

The table below provides the state-wise list of Regional Passport Offices in India, along with the cities where they are located.

Passport office timings and working days

Most PSKs run appointments during standard working hours on weekdays.

Some centres open on selected Saturdays, and special drives are announced for high-demand cities. Public holidays are closed. 

Check your slip: your appointment receipt shows the exact date, time and centre. Arrive at the time printed on it, not at opening time.

• Slots are booked online. Walk-ins are not accepted for standard services.
• Tatkal slots sit in a separate queue at the same centres.
• Timings and working days differ by centre, so use the portal for the latest details.

How to apply for a passport in India

1. Register on the official Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in) or the mPassport Seva app.
2. Fill in the application form, choose Normal or Tatkaal, and pay the fee online.
3. Book an appointment at any Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) near you.
4. Visit the centre on your appointment day with your original documents and a set of self-attested copies.
5. Complete police verification when your local police station contacts you.
6. Track your application status online. Your passport is delivered to your address by Speed Post.

Useful tips for passport applicants

• Apply early: If you are planning to study, work or travel abroad, apply well before your admission, job or visa dates. You can then use the Normal service and avoid paying extra for Tatkaal.
• Keep your name consistent: Write your name exactly as it appears on your documents. Check that the spelling, initials and surname order match on all of them to avoid delays and queries.
• Use your current address: Apply with the address where you live now. Your application is handled by the Regional Passport Office (RPO) for that area, and police verification is done there.
• Choose a convenient centre: If slots at a PSK in a big city are full, check nearby POPSKs, which often have earlier dates.
• Appointment day: Reach the centre about 15 minutes before your slot, and avoid carrying large bags or laptops.

Documents to carry to your appointment

• Appointment receipt or Application Reference Number (ARN)
• Proof of address: Aadhaar card, voter ID, utility bill, bank passbook or registered rent agreement
• Proof of date of birth: birth certificate, school leaving certificate, PAN card or Aadhaar card
• Your old passport, for renewal or re-issue
• For minors: the parents' passports or ID proof, plus Annexure forms where needed

Carry the originals along with one set of self-attested photocopies.

The Document Advisor on the Passport Seva portal shows the exact list for your application type.

Stay safe from fake websites and agents

Apply only through the official Passport Seva portal or the mPassport Seva app. Look-alike websites charge extra for the same service, and you do not need an agent to get a passport. For any problem with your application, contact the RPO for your state. You can find its details by choosing your state from the list above.