The validity of my passport is going to expire in 2 months. Do I need to verify with police again? One thing more I want to add my spouse’ name to it. Do I need to file a fresh application for new passport or will the old one be renewed? Please explain ‘how’ also.

Yes, you can get it renewed and you are permitted to add spouse’ name to your new book. Indeed, what you asked are pretty common problems. Hundreds of expats are encountering it. Such inflicted non-residents can go through the following procedure of passport renewal in India.

1. Online registration: With the transformation of typical passport application format, the new digital format is quite impressive. Believe, it’s really very easy to apply for renewal of passport by following these steps.

• Browse official government website of passport.
• Get registered with the PSK site by clicking the hyperlinked ‘Register Now’ on home page.
• Access the link on your email id.
• Login through the activated account.
• Click “Apply for fresh passport/re-issue of passport”.

2. Fill application: After getting registered, you would land to the page that would have 2 formats of application. You can select either of them to apply for fixing Indian passport renewal time. Subsequently, the verification would take place in-person at PSK office. Those2 formats are:

• PDF of re-issue of passport application.
• Softcopy of the same application form.

Fill the requisite information, like name, residential address, contact details, DoB, village/city/district and so on. If you had already enjoyed nri services while being in foreign country, you would have OCI card. You should mention it there.

• Upload the filled application form. The system will ask for verification before saving.
• Click ‘validate’ tab.
• Take out its hard copy.

3. Pay: Once the application of the Indian passport renewal form is completed, the browser will automatically direct you to the tab that points to fulfill all requirements to pay its online charges.

• Click on ‘’Pay and Schedule Appointment”.
• The options will be in front of you. Choose either ‘online payment’ or ‘challan’.
• If you select online method, the browser will redirect you to the netbanking wherein you can made payment in account of PSK.
• Download the receipt afterwards.
• Check if the barcode and payment confirmation are clearly visible on it.

You can appoint an outsourcing entity like Services2nri.com for getting rid of sweat & hassles.

4. Fix an appointment: After payment, the website will redirect you to the page where you can choose the ‘date of appointment’. An auto-generated slot would be available there. You need to pick up the most suitable from those dates.
5. Documents required: Visit the PSK office on the selected date & venue with these papers:

• Hard copy of the application form with the Application Reference Number.
• Old passport’s photocopy of first, last and the page with ECNR information.
• Address proof, like Utility bills/electricity bill/proof of gas connection/ ration card/bank passbook/ aadhaar card or voter id.
• Marriage certificate & its photocopy.
• Originals of 10^th mark sheet/college degree.

After verification there, the police verification will occur within a week or 10 days. The applicant must be ready with 2 witnesses and their aadhaar card.