Minor Passport - Fees, Eligibility & Documents Required

• Applying for a passport for a minorin India is mandatory for all individuals under 18 years of age.
• These passports are essential documents needed for minor passport for international travel and differ from those issued to adults.
• There are specific documents needed for minor passport during the application process.
• Minor passports have unique validity periods and fees, depending on the child's age.

For individuals under the age of 18, obtaining a passport is mandatory. In the past, children could travel internationally by having their names endorsed on their father’s passport. However, this is no longer permitted, and a separate passport is now required for every minor.When applying for a minor's passport, the procedure and required passport documents for minors differ slightly from those for adults.This blog will help you understand passport application for minors in India, ensuring you are prepared with all the necessary information and documents needed for Minor Passport.

Applying for a passport for a minor is mandatory and it must be applied for by either the parent or legal guardian. In other words, the consent of at least one parent or legal guardian is required to obtain a passport for the minor. This ensures that all necessary legal and procedural steps are taken to safeguard the child's rights and security during the application process.

Having a passport for a minor is now mandatory for individuals under 18. Below are some key benefits of obtaining a minor's passport. These benefits ensure that securing a passport for your minor is streamlined, secure, and essential for international travel and other official purposes.The top benefits features of a minor passport in India are:

• Mandatory for International Travel: A minor passport ensures that your child can legally travel abroad, replacing outdated methods of endorsing a child’s name on a parent's passport.
• Separate Identity: It provides the minor with a separate, internationally recognised identity document, which is crucial for travel and other official purposes.
• Easy Process for Special Circumstances: The passport application process caters to various family situations, including single parents, separated parents, and legal guardians, making it accessible for all.
• Flexible Validity: For minors between 15-18 years of age, the option to apply for a passport with 10-year validity provides flexibility, ensuring long-term use without frequent renewals.
• Police Verification for Security: The requirement of police verification for certain validity periods ensures the safety and security of minors during the passport application process.

In India eligibility applying for a passport for a minor is limited to:

• Minors aged between 15 and 18 who wish to obtain passport of 10 years
• Parents who are separated but not legally divorced
• Single parents
• Minors from Jammu and Kashmir
• Parents resident abroad
• Minors from Nagaland
• Parents divorced
• Minor children of government/statutory body employees
• Parent(s) with valid passport and spouse name endorsed
• Passport applied by one parent when other parent does not give consent
• Passport applied by a legal guardian

Also read: Lost your Passport while Overseas? Here’s what to do

The process of obtaining the Minor Passport involves several steps:

• Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva portal.
• Step 2: Create the Login ID and Password.
• Step 3: Enter the Login details and fill out the passport forms for minors with accurate details.
• Step 4: Submit the form, and documents needed for minor passport and then you can make the payment.

Also read: Does Travel Insurance Cover Loss of Passport

A minor's passport in India is valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first. However, minors between the ages of 15 and 18 years can apply for a 10-year passport instead of one that is valid only until they reach 18 years of age.It's important to note that the fees vary depending on the validity selected, with the 10-year passport costing more than the standard one. Additionally, a 10-year passport is only issued after a police verification process.

When applying for a minor's passport, various forms must be submitted depending on the scenario. These documents needed for minor passport to ensure that all necessary declarations and certifications are provided during the application process.

The payment process for a minor's passport can be completed through various modes. You can make the payment by following the given steps:

• Step 1: Visit the "View saved/submitted applications" section on the Passport Seva portal.
• Step 2: Select "Pay and schedule appointment".
• Step 3: Proceed via the SBI payment portal.

Please Note: For Tatkal applications, the regular fees are paid online. If the Tatkal request is approved, the remaining balance can be paid in cash at the Passport Seva Kendra.Below is a table outlining the available payment modes and the associated charges:

The documents needed for Minor Passport (under 18 years of age) to obtain a new passport vary depending on their eligibility category. By ensuring the correct submission of these documents, minors can successfully apply for their passports based on their specific eligibility criteria.Below is a detailed breakdown based on specific criteria:

Documents Needed For Minor Passport Between 15-18 Years of Age

• Proof of current or present or current address
• Proof of date of birth

Please Note: If the applicant is eligible for the Non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) category, they must provide documentary proof. This can include a Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Authority or any other agency authorised by the Registrar of Births and Deaths.

Documents Needed For Minor Passport from Jammu Kashmir and Nagaland

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)

Children of Government/PSU/Statutory Body Employees (With Police Verification)

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)

Children of Government/PSU/Statutory Body Employees (Without Police Verification)

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• Identity certificate in original (as per Annexure A)
• Standard affidavit (as per Annexure E)

Children of Parent(s) Holding a Valid Passport with Spouse's Name Endorsed:

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• Attested photocopy of the passport of both or either parent

Children of Parent(s) Residing Abroad

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure C)

Please Note: Annexure C is required if one parent has not given consent or Annexure D cannot be provided).

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Minor Adopted by Indian Parents

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• A valid adoption deed with the child’s photo, duly attested by the court

Please Note: In the case of Christians, Muslims, and Parsis, a court decree/order granting adoption/guardianship and permission to take the child abroad is required, or a declaration on plain paper confirming the adoption.

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Children Adopted by Foreign Parents

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• CARA No Objection Certificate
• Copy of the guarantee executed before the court concerned
• Court decree/order in respect of legal guardianship

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Children Below 18 Years Whose Parents are Divorced

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• Certified copy of the court order granting custody of the child to the applicant's parent

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Children of Parents Separated but Not Legally Divorced

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure C)

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Children Brought Up by a Single Parent (Child Born Out of Wedlock)

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure C)

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Minors of Single Parent Where One Parent is Deceased

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• Death certificate of the deceased parent

Passport Applied for a Minor by One Parent Without the Consent of the Other Parent

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure C)

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Passport Application by Legal Guardians for Children Under 18 Years

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• Court decree/order appointing the legal guardian

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Students Residing Away from Their Parents' Current Residential Address

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• Student Identity Card issued by a government-recognised educational institution (for full-time courses)
• Bonafide letter from the authorised signatory of a UGC-recognised college on official letterhead

Documents Needed for Minor Passport - Children Born Through Surrogacy

• Proof of present or current address
• Proof of date of birth
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure D)
• Declaration confirming the particulars furnished in the application (as per Annexure I)

When applying for a passport for minors (under the 18 years of age), the fees and charges vary based on several factors, including the applicant's age, the validity period of the passport, and whether the passport is being issued for the first time or being reissued. Additionally, charges differ for Regular and Tatkal schemes, offering flexibility based on the urgency of passport issuance.

Charges Applicable on a Fresh Passport for Minor

For minors applying for a fresh passport, the applicable charges depend on their age and the scheme selected, either Regular or Tatkal. The following table outlines the charges based on the applicant's age.

There is a process that you must follow to renew your minor passport:

• Exhaustion of Pages
• Validity Due to Expire
• Validity Expired
• Renewal of Short Validity Passport (SVP)
• Lost or Stolen Passport
• Damaged Passport
• Change in Existing Personal Particulars
• None of the Above

• Step 1 - To renew passport for minors you have to sleect one of the below reasons:

• Step 2 - Submit all the required documents needed for Minor Passport renewal

• Old Passport in original with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages, including ECR/Non-ECR page (previously ECNR) and the page of observation (if any), made by Passport Issuing Authority and validity extension page, if any, in respect of short validity passport.
• A declaration affirming the particulars given in the passport renewal form for minors as per Annexure D.

Please Note: It is advised to carry original and self-attested copies of parents' passports to Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), in case parents possess a passport.

• Step 3 - For minor applicants, documents needed for Minor Passport can be attested by parents.

• Step 4 - Once all this is done, you will receive your passport on your present address.

For reissuing a minor’s passport, the charges vary depending on the reason for reissue, the applicant’s age, the validity required, and whether the Regular or Tatkal scheme is chosen.
The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the reissue fees for different scenarios:

Securing a passport for minors is now an essential process for parents and guardians in India. The procedure has evolved to ensure every child under 18 years has their own passport, replacing older methods such as name endorsements on a parent’s passport.Whether you are a single parent, legal guardian, or dealing with specific circumstances like separation or adoption, the process is clearly laid out to help you navigate it smoothly.By following the steps and submitting the required documents needed for Minor Passport, you can secure a passport for your child and ensure they are ready for international travel.