How to Apply for a Lost Passport in India

Your passport is your national identity, which works as proof not just in your home country but also in a foreign land. Thus, once you plan on taking a trip across borders, a valid passport is the first thing you should possess. 

If you lose your passport to an unprecedented theft, you should immediately inform your nearest police station and the Indian Mission. Furthermore, you can apply for a duplicate passport online or offline, whichever suits best for you. 

Wondering how? 

Read further if you want to know the procedure for a lost passport application. But, before filing for a duplicate passport, it is important to know the situations when you can apply for one!

Note: You can apply for a duplicate passport if you lose your existing passport. 

When Can You File for a Lost Passport in India?

You can apply for a duplicate passport if you lose your passport or cannot use the existing one due to one of the following reasons: 

• If you lose your passport to unprecedented accidents such as theft, fire, etc. 
• If the pages in the passport are exhausted.
• If your passport validity has expired or is about to expire.
• If your passport is damaged beyond recognition.
• If you need to make changes to the details of your existing passport. 

You can also apply for a duplicate passport or an emergency certificate if you lose it in a foreign country. To do so, you must visit the nearest Indian embassy in the state/city.

Methods to Apply for Duplicate Passport

If you lose your Indian passport, you can file for a duplicate passport through online and offline modes. Keep reading to know how.

Lost Passport Application: How to Apply Offline?

For the application for a duplicate passport, you can follow the hereby mentioned steps:

Step 1: From the ‘Forms and Affidavit’ section of the PSK website, download and take a print of an e-form for the re-issue of the passport.

Step 2: Fill in the asked details clearly on the form.

Step 3: Attest the Police Clearance Certificate and the duly filled form.

Step 4: Collect all the asked documents and details with the form.

Step 5: Submit the form and other documents at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra. 

If you cannot go to the PSK, don’t worry. You can still apply for a duplicate passport online. Keep reading to know how.

Lost Passport Application: How to Apply Online?

You can follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for a duplicate passport:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the passport seva portal.

Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Forms and Affidavit’ section and select the appropriate form you must fill out.

Step 3: Login/ sign up on the website and complete the form with all the necessary details.

Step 4: After carefully filling out the lost passport application, click the submit button.

Step 5: You will receive a tracking ID or passport reference file number to track the passport status.

Please note that even a single mistake on your passport application form may lead to unnecessary hassle. Thus, you should always check and cross-check all the filled details carefully before submitting the form online.

What is the Fee to Apply for Lost Passport in India?

While you apply for a lost passport or duplicate passport, charges are applicable that may vary based on the reason for re-issuance of the passport ad the number of pages in the passport. The fee may also be based on whether you apply under a regular or tatkal scheme. 

You can refer to the table below for the lost passport fee:

Reference: Official website of Passport India

Note: the information provided in the above table is subject to change; please refer to the official website for the latest updates on the passport application fee.

Documents Required to Apply for a Duplicate Passport

You may be asked to carry various documents if you apply for a duplicate passport. Documents requested may also vary based on your reason for re-issuing your passport. Below-mentioned is a reference of the basic documents that you should carry.

• Proof of current residential address (electricity bill, gas bill, passport of a spouse, water bill, aadhar card, etc.)
• Proof of DOB 
• No Objection Certificate in the said format
• Affidavit with mentioned details of lost passport
• Passport size photograph
• Police report if the passport is lost in theft
• The photocopy of the old passport, along with the ECR/ Non-ECR page
• Original Emergency certificate, etc.

Safeguard Your Indian Passport with Travel Insurance

We hope the above information can help you in the application procedure for your lost passport.

Although you can still apply for a passport if lost or tampered with in India, doing the same in a foreign land may cost you a fortune. 

Thus, to ensure that you do not encounter a financial crunch due to a lost passport, you should always buy coverage for the loss or theft of your passport under your travel insurance plan.

Wondering which plan is the best to safeguard your belongings? 

Trust none other than international travel insurance by Care Health Insurance. The plan is a comprehensive umbrella that safeguards your trip budget during a financial emergency. The plan covers you for the loss or theft of your passport or visa while you are on vacation.

Wait no more! Visit the official website of Care Health Insurance to buy the plan today!

Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.