In this modern era, applying for a passport online has become very convenient. With the advancement of technology, many passport offices now allow citizens to apply for their passports from the comfort of their homes via online portals. In this blog, you will learn how to apply for passport online.
Eligibility
The first step is to check your eligibility for applying online. Most countries allow their citizens who are above 18 years of age and have never held a passport before to apply online. For minors or those renewing their passport, online applications may or may not be available depending on the country’s rules. So do check the official website of your country’s passport office to see if you are eligible.
Documents Required
Once you confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents like your photo, address proof, date of birth proof, etc., as mentioned on the official website. These vary between first-time and renewal applications. Make sure to have soft copies of these documents ready in the specified file formats and sizes.
Register on the Portal
Visit the official passport portal of your country and click on the “Apply Online” link. You will need to register by providing basic details to create your user account. Make a note of your login credentials for future access.
Fill out the Online Application Form
Log in using your credentials. A partially pre-filled application form will be displayed based on your registered details. Carefully fill all the required fields like personal information, address details, etc., and upload the soft copies of documents.
Pay Application Fee
Once the form is filled out, you will be redirected to a payment gateway page to pay the prescribed application fees. Choose from available online payment options like net banking, debit/credit cards, wallets, etc., and make the payment.
Submit the Application
Once you have filled all the necessary details in the online application form and uploaded all the required documents, it is time to submit the application. You need to thoroughly review all the information one last time before submitting. This is to ensure no errors or omissions. Once satisfied with the form, click on the “Submit” button. On successful submission, you will receive an application reference number or receipt. Make sure to note down this number carefully for future tracking of the application status.
Tracking Application Status
Use the application reference number to regularly check the status of your application online. Statuses could be – Received, Under Process, Ready for Dispatch, etc. Intimate the passport office in case of any discrepancies.
Receive Passport
Once approved, the printed passport booklet will be dispatched to the registered address via post/courier. Check it thoroughly upon receipt. Congratulations, you now have your passport applied completely online!
Conclusion
This concludes the basic step-by-step process of applying for a passport online without any hassles of visiting passport offices. Always apply well in advance as per the timeline displayed and intimate authorities in case of any issues. With online applications, getting a passport is now simpler and more convenient than ever before. However, you can also consider to use of forex card.
