Whether you are applying for the first time, renewing your expired or soon-to-be expiring passport or replacing a damaged or stolen passport, you can apply either using the online registration service or fill out a traditional paper application. Mumbai is one of the jurisdictions offering a online registration service for passport applicants, so you can register your application through the website. After you have registered, either open or save your application and print out the filled in application because you still have to fill some parts by hand. If you are unable to print out your application, write down the application number because you need it in addition to your date of birth to reprint the application later. If you are unable to use the website registration, you can pick up an application from the Mumbai passport office or any of the passport cells in Mumbai.
To submit either of the application options, you need to go either to the Mumbai passport office or any of the Mumbai passport cells and submit the completed application with all additional documents using the appointment date and time given to you. If you used the website registration, your appointment time and date are printed on your application. If you did not use the online service, your appointment will be given to you when you submit your application to the Mumbai passport office. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment and use the appropriate counter. Take a token if you did not use the online registration service. If you already have a set appointment time, you should not need to wait long. If you miss your appointment or you arrive late, you need to wait for the next available appointment time that day or set a new appointment date and time.
When you arrive at your appointment, you need to have the following documents with you in addition to your completed passport application. If you are applying to get your first passport, bring two copies of proof of address, proof of date of birth, educational qualifications and a citizenship document. In addition, you might need a identity certificate if you are a government, public sector or statutory body employee and a document supporting eligibility for ECNR. In addition, you need six black and white or color passport photos and the applicable passport fee paid either by bank draft beforehand or in cash at the passport office. To renew your passport, you only need to bring your old passport and any other applicable documents if there has been any changes to the information you provided when applying for your first passport. Bring the original copies of all the documents you need with you in case your documents need to be verified at the passport office.
It can take between five and twelve weeks to issue your first or replacement passport. If you need your passport sooner than that, apply through the Tatkal scheme to fasten the process. If you need to apply for a Tatkal passport, provide a proof of immediate need of a passport and add the Tatkal fee to the normal passport fee. If you are renewing your passport, your new passport is issued in about a week. You can either pick up your passport from the passport office or cell or have it sent to you via registered mail.
