Usually, a passport application takes a good amount of time, from the submission of documents to the arrival of the passport. , you should get a passport . However, what if you need it urgently? Is there a way to ? Yes, there is a Tatkal Passport.
As the name implies, this service is intended to serve citizens with a passport for their urgent needs. But how do you apply for a Tatkal passport, and what are the Tatkal passport charges? Let's find out everything about Tatkal passports in this blog.
How to Apply for a Tatkaal Passport?
While looking up "How to apply for a tatkal passport?" will find out that the process is not much different from applying for a fresh passport or renewing an existing passport.
Here's a step-by-step guide to filling in the application form for a Tatkaal passport by this way
- Go to the "Passport Seva" portal and make a tatkal passport registration through the applicant's email ID.
- After registration, log in to the passport portal using the same ID.
- Go to the homepage, click "Download e-Form", and choose "Fresh Passport".
- Change the mode to "Tatkal".
- Fill in the e-form that was downloaded earlier with accurate details.
- An "upload e-form" option will appear on the screen. Click on it and upload the XML file.
- The next step is scheduling an appointment by clicking "Pay and Schedule Appointment". It will get you an appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
- The Tatkaal passport fee payment should be made after choosing your PSK location and booking the appointment when directed to the payment page. There are different modes of payment to select from, such as credit/debit cards and Internet banking, which includes only SBI and other associated banks.
- To determine the Tatkal passport fees, use the online fee calculator available on the portal.
- Once the payment is made, print out the receipt, which consists of the Application Reference Number (ARN) or the Appointment Number.
- Lastly, attend the appointment at the PSK. Take the printed application form and other required documents.
You can also fill out the form online and submit it simultaneously. The rest of the application process remains the same.
What is the Fee Structure for Tatkal Passports?
The Tatkal passport charges are as follows:
Charges
|
For 36 Pages
|
For 60 Pages
|
New Passport or Renewal
|
₹3,500
|
₹4,000
|
Reissue (Lost, Stolen, Damaged)
|
₹5,500
|
₹5,000
|
Reissue (With Updated Personal Information)
|
₹3,500
|
₹4,000
|
Reissue (With Updated Personal Information for Minor)
|
N/A
|
₹3,000
|
Who is Eligible to Apply for a Tatkal Passport?
The tatkal passport scheme gives the jurisdictional passport office the authority to decide whose passport will get issued. Applicants in the following category cannot apply for a tatkal passport.
- People who were born outside India despite having Indian parents.
- If an applicant has got their name changed
- Residents of Jammu & Kashmir as well as Nagaland.
- Citizens who were born in Nagaland but now live outside the state.
- Adopted children
- People who have been deported to India.
- People who got their citizenship status through naturalisation or registration.
- Minors with single parents and minors who live in Nagaland.
- Change in sex or appearance.
- Applicants who have a short passport validity.
- Reapplication in cases of a stolen or lost passport.
- Any change in signature or other personal credentials.
What Documents are Needed to Apply for a Tatkal Passport?
First, the applicant needs a verification certificate as mentioned in Annexure F. Then one must have any of the documents that are listed below:
- Election card
- Bank Passbook
- Arms licence
- Railway Photo Identity Card
- Certificate of SC/ST/OBC
- Ration card
- Identity cards of freedom fighters
- Pension documents
- Service photo ID card
- Property documents
- Student's identity card
- Birth certificate
- Driving licence
How Much Does It Take to Get a Tatkal Passport?
While the process is created to serve urgent passport needs, you should know that it's still not a one-day service. Tatkal passport processing time is around one week in most cases. The factor that mainly decides the time is police verification. If the officers conclude that there's no need for police verification, the passport is issued directly and is shipped within one day. However, if there's a need for police verification, it is done simultaneously with the issuance of a passport.
One more thing that you must make sure is to have travel insurance. But why? See, when there's a need for urgent travelling, the uncertainty of the events increases. In such cases, domestic travel insurance or international travel insurance can help you save money, and it also helps you get medical coverage in a foreign state or country. You can check out the best travel insurance for yourself here.
To sum up, this is applying for a Tatkal passport. With this guide, you can get help getting a passport urgently. Moreover, beware of fake agents who offer you a passport in a day or two, as you may get a fake one. With such passports, you may face consequences that are not good for your personal and professional life.
