A Guide to US Passport Renewal in India

While travelling, a passport becomes one of the essential documents. It’s not only a pass to travel overseas but also an important identity proof. The validity of a passport in India is only for 10 years; to continue residing in the country, a citizen must renew before it expires.

Renewal should be actually done in advance so that it cannot create any hindrance during the time of travelling. This article will help you get all the answers to the queries faced while applying for the renewal of a US Passport in India. To apply for a passport, you must first register at the government's passport application portal.

Process For Passport Renewal India

The renewal of a US passport in India is as easy as pie. To do so, there are bundles of opportunities. There are many US embassies in India that help to get the renewal. You can apply anytime, when ready, with all the documents. Before applying, you need to check whether you are eligible for the passport renewal or not from the embassy and then move to the further process. However, due to this pandemic, they are limiting their services and reviewing online applications. Follow the steps given below to apply online:

• Visit the site www[dot]usa[dot]gov
• Select the category for which you wish to apply: minor passport renewal or adult passport renewal
• Fill in your contact and basic details
• Documents required for renewal of passport are:
  • DS 82 form
  • Your latest passport
  • Passport size photographs
  • Name change document (if applicable)
• Pay the fees; a Demand Draft should be computer-generated in favour of an embassy you are eligible for. Attach that demand draft with the form.
• Submit the application and attach the demand draft to the embassy.
• Track your processing time allotted to you

Documents Required for Passport Renewal

• Original latest passport
• Copies of the first two and last two pages of your passport for the verification
• Copies of ECR and Non-ECR page
• Copies of identification proof
• Copies of the page of observation if made or provided by the passport issuing authority

US Embassies in India

There are 5 US embassies in India covering all the states. They are New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.

• Residents of states like Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh can get their US passport renewal in New Delhi.

• Residents of Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the centre for US Passport renewal in Chennai.

• Residents of states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha can find the service of US passport renewal in Hyderabad.

• People living in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and West Bengal can find US passport renewal services in Kolkata.

• People residing in Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Diu & Daman, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli can get their US passport renewal in Mumbai.

While undergoing the US passport renewal in India, the renewal fees are one of the major concerns for the people. The renewal fees keep changing with time; it totally depends on the rupee and dollar fluctuations.

The US passport renewal in India is always constant but may differ for different demands of an individual. The fees for US passport renewal in India 2021 start from Rs.2280.

Passport Validity India

When travelling, the passport’s validity is an important aspect to be taken care of. You can also go for the passport renewal even if the passport is still valid. But you will be handed over with the same passport with extended validity, not the new one.

Also, the validity of a passport varies for different categories of travellers. The people travelling as a tourist will attain a short validity passport, and the renewal of the same is free of cost. People going overseas for education or work will be getting a passport with a long validity period.

US Minor Passport Renewal in India

The child applying for a passport under the age of 16 or a first-time adult passport must fill a DS-11 form. They will have to undergo an appointment which is usually offline, but due to the pandemic, it’s online. Fill out the form, and the following is a list of documents that a minor will require:

• Birth certificate to ensure the age
• Most recent passport and the copies of the first two and last two pages
• Two passport size photographs
• Photo ID of parents
• Photo ID of the applicant

Tips to Apply for the Renewal of a US Passport Online

As per the pandemic guidelines, the US embassies are providing limited services to people, and hence they have limited the application reviewing as well.

• Fill in all the basic details and address carefully, and don’t submit the form without rechecking it twice
• When you drop your application, you can opt for either picking up the passport or delivering it to your doorstep. You can choose for picking up so that there will never be an address mislead
• You shouldn’t select the expedite fees option; the passports opted for abroad are always expedited
• Include emergency contact information in the form for the safe side, even though it is not required to complete the application
• Sign the application form only in front of the consular officer to avoid any complications in the form

Passport Processing Time

In India, renewing a passport from the US takes around two weeks. But for the safe side, plan at least six weeks prior for passport renewal before the requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I stay in India with an expired US passport?

A. As per the US Department of State, people with expired US passports can travel back now. The US department has announced the guidelines for people with expired US passports that if their passport has been stranded, they can return to the country. They can do this till December 2021, and this step is coming up in front due to the rise in covid 19 situations and is a respite for those stranded abroad.

2. What happens if a US passport expires in India?

A. The USA passport renewal in India is only for US citizens who are residing in India for a motive. If the passport expires in India, you can renew it by mailing it to ivisa.com for the passport renewal service. It provides an expert passport renewal service to US citizens living in any other country.

3. How long does it take to renew a US passport?

A. The answer to this is anytime. You can renew your passport anytime. Although, the Department of State’s website suggests reviewing it within the nine months of passport expiration date given on the passport’s data page.

4. Can I renew my US passport online?

A. Yes, currently, the only method to apply for a US passport is to do it online. Due to covid guidelines, they have limited the services to reviewing only the online applications. But the submission of documents has to be done offline; it cannot be submitted online. You need to download the passport application form - DS-11 along with instructions which come in pdf form, fill the form, or you can acquire a copy from the local passport acceptance Facility.

5. I filled in some wrong information by mistake; how do I correct it?

A. There is a sort of issue with online form filling. Once you have submitted the form, it cannot be changed. But yes, it can be corrected by visiting the Passport Office.

6. Can I renew my passport if it is still valid?

A. Yes, definitely. If you want to renew your passport, it doesn’t need to expire. To renew both your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. But yes, you’ll only get the same passport book and card but with extended validity, not the new one. For example, if you submit a passport book and not the passport card, you cannot renew the card.

To renew a specific document, you must submit that. Most people recommend renewing both passport and card before any planned international travel so that you can travel hassle-free. Even if you have validity left for a couple of months, still renew it. Some countries accept passports with a validity of 6 months and beyond.

Conclusion

Passports are printed in the US after applying for renewal and take approximately two weeks. If you have an immediate need to travel, you can mail directly to the suitable embassy for requesting early passport renewal. Passport renewal for minors can be declined if the embassy receives a written objection from a parent or legal guardian.