Documents required for Passport verification

If you are trying to get a new Indian passport, one of the major steps in the process is getting your address verified with the police. This step has held up passport issuance in the past, but now the government is taking steps to make the police verification simpler.

Learn what documents you will need to get your police verification done and how the process works. Also read on to learn answers to frequently asked questions on the police clearance certificate and passport’s police verification.

There are 2 main modes to get your police verification done:

1. Police verification happens before your passport is issued
2. Police verification happens after your passport is issued

When you submit your application for a passport, you will be notified whether you can get your police verification done before or after issuance.

If you are getting your passport re-issued before it expires, you will not need to get a police verification.¹

🖇️ Documents required for passport verification

For passport verification, you will need to present one of the following documents for ordinary citizen passport applications:²

• Proof of Address: this can be a water bill, phone bill, electricity bill, gas connection, Aadhaar letter, or income tax assessment order
• Proof of Date of Birth: this can be a birth certificate, matriculation certificate, Aadhaar card, drivers license, or PAN card

Here is the list of documents you will need to qualify to get the police verification after the passport is issued. Since it is an online application, you will need to enter in the data from each into the system to qualify:

• Aadhaar number
• Permanent Account Number (PAN)
• Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
• Affidavit

The EPIC can be an e-EPIC which is downloadable as a PDF.

All 3 of these documents plus the affidavit need to be successfully submitted with your application to have the police verification done after a passport is issued.

If you have any pending criminal charges against you, this facility will not be possible.

For a passport verification, the police are looking to verify that your stated address is where you currently reside. ³

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has set up the mPassport Police App to streamline the process for getting police verified. It can be found on Google Play Store and iOS

Minors below the age of 18 do not need police verification.

How is police verification done?

Police verifications are done to ensure you say who you say you are and you live where you say you live. It will be conducted by an officer from your local police station.

The police verification process can differ slightly state to state, but essentially a police officer will come to check that you live at the address you stated. They will also want to see your identity documents and address proof to reference.

You can identify your neighborhood’s local police station on the passport services website.

Once you have been verified, the police will provide a report indicating your verification status.⁴

⏱️ How long is PCC valid?

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) can be valid for up to 6 months or 1 year. Check your PCC for an expiry date or with your issuing authority.

How can I check my police clearance certificate?

If you have applied for your Police Clearance Certificate through the online portal, then you can use your login details to check your request for a PCC. It will be issued however through the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

You should keep a copy of your PCC after it has been issued by the PSK. ⁵

What happens if police verification fails for the passport?

If your police verification fails then you will not be issued a passport.

It is recommended to contact your Passport Office, or PO, and first identify the reason for your failed, or adverse, report. If the circumstance allows and your reason for a fail report is remedied, you can see if a re-verification can be requested. Without a clear police report in hand, the PO can not issue you a passport.⁶

🖥️ Online Passport Police Verification

There are 2 ways to get a Police Clearance Certificate- an online form and an e-form. In both cases, you can complete and pay for it at home but then you will need to take your documents to a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Here is a step by step guide:

Online Submission

1. Click on New User Registration on the Passport Seva homepage and register for the portal
2. Log into the Passport Seva Portal with the new details
3. Click on Apply for Police Clearance Certificate
4. Complete your personal details in the form
5. Submit the form
6. Go to the View Saved/Submitted Applications screen
7. Click on Pay and Schedule Appointment
8. Pay online using your credit or debit card, internet banking or SBI bank challan
9. Once completed, click on Print Application Receipt. Ensure it has your Appointment Reference Number (ARN)
10. Check for the appointment SMS and gather the application receipt document
11. Go to the PSK or Regional Passport Office with your original documents at the time of your appointment

e-Form Submission

1. From the Passport Seva homepage click on Download e-Form link and download the file
2. Complete the form in its entirety
3. Click on Validate and Save button when completed
4. Identify the XML file generated
5. Register through the Passport Seva homepage as a new user if necessary
6. Log in to the Passport Seva Portal with your login credentials
7. Find the Upload e-Form link and upload the XML file from step 4. Only XML files are allowed
8. Head to the View Saved/Submitted Applications on the dashboard
9. Click on Pay and Schedule Appointment
10. Pay online using your credit or debit card, internet banking or SBI bank challan
11. Once your payment is complete, click on Print Application Receipt. Ensure it has your Appointment Reference Number (ARN)
12. Check for the appointment SMS and gather the application receipt document
13. Go to the PSK or Regional Passport Office with your original documents at the time of your appointment

You are required to go to the PSK or RPO within 90 days of your form submission. If you do not attend your appointment or are unable to go in the 90 days allotted, you will need to resubmit your forms.⁷

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All sources checked as of 10 June, 2021