Who Can Apply For a Minor Passport

Any Indian citizen under the age of 18 is eligible to apply for a minor passport. Since minors cannot legally enter into contracts, parents or legal guardians must complete the application and submit the necessary paperwork on behalf of the child.

Minor passports are commonly issued for newborns, young children, and teenagers to facilitate international travel for education, tourism, or family visits.

Documents Required For Minor Passport

The documentation for minors is centered around proving the child's birth details and the parents' identity. You can check the full list of documents required for passport before visiting the Passport Seva Kendra to ensure nothing is missed.

Key documents include:

• Birth certificate of the child (issued by a municipal authority).

• Address proof of the parents (Aadhaar, utility bills, etc.).

• Identity proof of the parents.

• Passport copies of parents (if available, this can sometimes waive the police verification requirement).

• Recent passport-size photographs of the child (specifically for newborns/infants).

Both parents must normally provide consent during the application process to ensure the child’s interests are protected.

Annexure Forms Required For Minor Passport

Specific declarations, known as Annexures, are mandatory for minor applications to confirm parental consent and legal standing.

• Annexure D: A standard declaration by parents or guardians for a minor passport application.

• Annexure H: A consent form that must be signed by both parents.

• Annexure C: Required in specific cases where one parent is not available or if the parents are legally separated.

These forms are updated periodically and can be downloaded directly from the official Passport Seva portal.

How To Apply For a Passport For a Newborn or Minor

The application process for a minor is conducted through the same Passport Seva system used by adults, but with parental oversight.

Step-by-step process:

1. Register on the Passport Seva portal.

2. Fill out the application specifically selecting the "Minor" category.

3. Upload the required digital copies of documents.

4. Pay the fee online to enable appointment booking.

5. Schedule an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

6. Visit the office with the child and the original documents for verification.

In some cases, authorities may conduct the passport police verification process before issuing the passport, though this is often waived for minors if the parents have valid passports.

Passport Fees For Minors In India

The fee structure for minors is lower than that for adults due to the shorter validity period and smaller booklet size.

• Normal Category: A 36-page minor passport typically costs ₹1,000.

• Tatkaal Category: For urgent requirements, an additional fee of ₹2,000 is usually charged, bringing the total to approximately ₹3,000.

Validity Of Minor Passport

Passports for minors have a restricted validity compared to the standard 10-year adult passport. They are usually valid for 5 years or until the child reaches 18 years of age, whichever comes first.

However, minors between the ages of 15 and 18 have the option to apply for a full 10-year validity passport, provided they pay the adult fee. Once the passport expires, you will need to follow the passport renewal process to apply for a new passport.