The short answer
For most adults you need one proof of date of birth, one proof of present address, and your old passport if you are renewing. Carry the originals and one self-attested photocopy of each. Your photo is taken at the Passport Seva Kendra, so you do not need to bring one.
Checklist
Proof of date of birth (any one)
Proof of present address (any one)
If it applies to you
The 2025 birth certificate rule
The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025 say that anyone born on or after 1 October 2023 must show a birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, a municipal corporation or another authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. Other papers are not accepted as date of birth proof for them. If you were born before that date, any document from the list above still works.
Passport for a child (minor)
- Child's birth certificate (mandatory for children born on or after 1 October 2023)
- Both parents' passports, if they have them, or their address proof
- Annexure D, the declaration signed by both parents
- If one parent is not available, the relevant annexure or court order
Both parents should come to the appointment if possible.
How to apply, step by step
- Register on passportindia.gov.in or the mPassport Seva app.
- Fill the form for fresh passport or reissue. Use exactly the same spelling of your name as on your documents.
- Pay the fee online and book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra.
- Go on the day with all originals and one self-attested copy of each.
- Police verification happens at your address, usually after the appointment. Keep your phone reachable.
Mistakes that cause a second visit
- Name or date of birth spelled differently across documents. Fix the mismatch first.
- Address proof older than a year, or not in your name.
- Bringing photocopies without the originals.
- Forgetting the old passport when renewing.
Where to get a paper you are missing
- Birth certificate: from the municipal corporation, panchayat or Registrar of Births and Deaths where the birth was registered. Many states now issue them online through the Civil Registration System.
- Address proof in your name: update the address on your Aadhaar online on myAadhaar, or ask your bank to update your passbook address.
- Marriage certificate: from the Sub-Registrar or Marriage Officer. See documents required for marriage registration.
- PAN card copy: download the e-PAN if you cannot find the card.
After you get your passport
- Check every detail as soon as it arrives and report errors at once.
- Keep a scan of the first and last pages; embassies, banks and airlines ask for them.
- Passports for adults are valid for 10 years, and many countries want at least 6 months left. Plan your renewal early.
Questions people ask
Is Aadhaar enough for a passport?
Aadhaar works as address proof. For date of birth, use another document from the list, such as your birth certificate, school certificate, PAN or driving licence.
Do I need to bring photos?
No. Your photo is taken at the Passport Seva Kendra.
Can I use a rent agreement as address proof?
Yes, if it is registered. A notarised but unregistered agreement may not be accepted.
What if my name is different on two documents?
Get it corrected on one of them first, or bring a gazette notification or affidavit as the officer asks. Mismatches are the most common reason for a hold.
Final rules and fees: passportindia.gov.in. Rules change; this page is general information, not legal advice. Kaagaz is not a government service.