How To Apply For A Passport For Senior Citizens?

A Passport is a very important document that is mandatorily required when a person is traveling outside India. Passports in India can also be used as a proof of Identity and address for various purposes in India. Further, Indian citizens can be provided with three different kinds of passports. The type p passport is assigned to ordinary citizens and its cover is dark blue in color. The type S passport is issued to individuals who represent the government of India and its cover is white in color. Last but not the least, a type D passport is issued to diplomats and ministers and has a maroon-colored cover.

Senior Citizens' Passport in India

Senior citizens who are in need of a passport whether a fresh one or the renewal of the old one can apply through a quick and simple process that has been designed especially for senior citizens. The Passport Seva Kendra has allowed walk-ins for senior citizens. They are not required to book appointments for themselves online. Also, there is a special counter which has been designed only for senior citizens that will allow the procedure for the passport to be completed quickly without having to wait in long lines for their passports. However, it is mandatory for all the senior citizens to visit the Passport Seva Kendra physically in order to make their passports. This article contains a guide on how to apply for a passport for senior citizens and the documents required for a senior citizen passport.

Eligibility Criteria for Senior citizen's passport in India

It is important to know that only those people who have attained the age of 65 years or above are qualified as senior citizens. There are a few restrictions on who can apply for a passport for a senior citizen. An individual is qualified to apply for a passport as a senior citizen, in the case that he/she meets the criteria which have been listed below

The individual has attained the age of 65 years and does not reside in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
For Individuals who are a resident of Jammu and Kashmir; women must have an age of 60 years or above, whereas Men should have an age of 65 years or above.
An individual is considered to be a resident of the state of Jammu and Kashmir if any of the following categories apply to the individual.
The individual was born in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The permanent address of the individual is of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The present address of the individual is in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is important to note that Indian citizens originally belonging to other states deployed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir for their duties by the government of India are not classified as residents of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

How To Apply For A Senior Citizen Passport Online?

The passport issued for senior citizens is not different from the normal one. The passport is issued on verification by the post police and has a validity of 10 years. If you want to apply online for a passport in India, then you can follow the steps given below and easily complete the application process.

In order to apply for a senior citizen’s passport you need to go to the following link: Apply for a passport online in India. If you are opening the website by searching for it, do ensure that you do not open up any fraudulent websites.
After opening the above-given link, an application form will appear in front of you and you will be required to select the service that you want to avail yourself of from the options given in the box.
You will then have to choose the type of application that you want (Please note that in the case you apply for a tatkal application an extra fee will be charged. Only click that option if you have an urgent requirement for the passport).
Choose the type of passport booklet you require.
Fill in the details of the applicant accurately keeping all the information correct.
Complete the details of your place of birth, your family details, etc.
Fill in the details where the applicant currently resides or fill in the present residential address details.
Fill in the emergency contact details.
In case you have any coupon code then enter it to get the offer.
After completion of the application form check it out once and click the validate and continue button.
Further, online payment has to be done and an appointment can be made. Although booking an appointment is not necessary for senior citizens, they can use the walk-in facility.

It is important to note that the details for the date of birth and address entered should be correct and should be the same as the documents submitted.

Timings of Passport Seva Kendra for Walk-in facility

In case you are a senior citizen who is thinking of utilizing the walk-in facility of the Passport Seva Kendra, it is important for you to know the timings of all PSKs so that you can get your work done. Saturdays and Sundays are holidays for all passport Seva Kendras. Although the working hours of PSK are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., a token is issued only from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Further, there is a lunch break for all PSKs having a time of 13:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please know that when using the walking facility you must carry a printout receipt of the online payment which has been made.

Documents required for a senior citizen passport In India

The list of Documents required for a senior citizen passport In India is not exhaustive and the PSK might demand any document that they consider fit. However, it is important that you have at least these documents:

certificate of verification according to Annexure F
certificate of verification according to Annexure I
A Proof of Address
A Proof of Age
Any of the three documents listed below voter card (: Voter ID card, service identity card with your photograph, a certificate declaring you as Scheduled caste, Scheduled Tribe or other backward class, Freedom fighters ID card, Document of Property, Documents of Pension, Ration card, A Photo ID card issued by Indian Railways, PAN, A copy of your passbook in the bank you have your account, A recognized institute’s Student Identity card, Certificate of Birth, bill of the gas connection at your home or you Driving License.

Please keep in mind that you will be required to bring the original copies of the documents as well as one set of photocopies that are self-attested on the day you visit the Passport Seva Kendra to complete the processing of your passport.

Online senior citizen's passport application fees

The fees for senior citizens are the same as the fee for any normal adult. The tatkal passport application fees are different for different kinds of passports and their validity. The application fees for different kinds of passports are covered and details are below.

A new passport having 36 pages having a validity of 10 years including those of minors aged between 15 to 18 years has a tatkal application fee of Rs 3500 and a normal application fee of Rs.1500.
A new passport having 60 pages and the validity of 10 years has a tatkal fee of Rs 4000 and a normal fee of Rs. 2000.
In case the original passport has been lost or stolen you can issue a duplicate passport of 36 pages which will have a tatkal application fee of Rs 5000 and a normal application fee of Rs.3000.
In case you want to issue a duplicate passport of 60 pages in case of theft, damage, or loss of the original passport you will be charged a tatkal application fee of Rs 5500 and a normal application fee of Rs.3500.
If you want to change your name, date of birth, picture, address, date of birth, or any of your details in a 36-page passport with the validity of 10 years then you will have to pay and tatkal fees of Rs 4000 and a normal application fee of Rs.1500.
If you want to change your name, date of birth, picture address, or any of your details in an INOX passport of 36 pages you will have to pay a tatkal application fee of Rs 3000 and a normal application fee of Rs.2000.

Few Final Words

Applying for a passport and getting it is not an easy task, and it is quite legitimate if you face difficulties in the process of applying for a passport. You do not need to worry about them; you can get in touch with Travel Sahayata to get assistance with your queries.

Travel Sahayata is a private consultancy having a trained and motivated team that ensures that you will get your passport timely in a quick and reliable manner. We have achieved this by using a dedicated and streamlined process.