Losing your passport can be a stressful experience. However, if you follow the proper passport lost procedure, you can minimize the inconvenience. For an Indian, losing a passport can be quite a daunting task. The two most important documents needed for the issuance of the passport are a copy of the FIR and a photocopy of the lost passport
When you plan to visit the passport office, make sure that you carry all the important documents.
How to replace a Lost Passport in India?
Lodge an FIR
Once you are sure about the fact that you have lost the passport, you need to file an FIR at the police station that is nearest to the location where you think you have lost the passport. For lodging an FIR, it is necessary for the individual to carry the passport along with the address proof.
If you do not have a copy of the lost passport, you must get a copy from the regional passport office before filing an FIR. You will also need certain documents like proof of your address, the aadhar card, or the birth certificate.
Apply for an online passport.
The next step will be registering and reapplying for the passport online in the passport Seva Kendra portal. Once you do this, you must log in with the registered id.
Before scheduling an appointment, you will have to pay the required fee.
You will first need to click on the pay and the schedule appointment link, and from there, you will have to view the saved or the submitted applications option where you can book the appointment. The fee is Rs. 1500 and along with that since you are reapplying for the passport, you will have to pay a processing fee. Take a print of the application receipt. The receipt will also have the reference number of the application. You will also have to make a list of the documents that you will require, and you can then carry those documents with you when you visit the passport office.
How to get a duplicate passport?
Duplicate Passport Application Form Online
People must submit a new passport application form even when requesting a duplicate passport. The new passport you will get will be identical to the old one.
Lost passport Fees
The fee to be paid for issuing the duplicate passport will vary from one passport to another. This will depend on the count of pages in the passport, along with the applicant’s age.
There are many reasons why you should apply for a duplicate passport
Passport lost procedure
In case an individual loses the passport, he must file an FIR. Contact Indian Embassy if you stay abroad and have lost your Indian passport. Then the passport application will have to be filled up for the passport.
Passport is damaged
The procedure to reissue a passport in case the passport is damaged is the same in cases where the passport is lost.
The passport holders can also apply for the passport under the tatkal scheme.
Emergency Situations
In cases when the passport holder has lost the passport when traveling abroad but needs to enter India due to an emergency, like the death of a family member, he can do so using the emergency certificate.
Time duration required to reissue lost passport
If you are applying for the issuance of the passport under the normal scheme, it will take around 30 days.
If I do not do anything if my passport is lost, are there chances of getting myself in trouble?
Yes, if you do not lodge an FIR when you lose your passport, you might fall in trouble as in case any criminal activity is done using the passport you have lost.
In case I lose my expired passport, what should I do?
- You will first have to complain to the nearest police station.
- You will have to carry the lost passport photocopy, and in case you do not have one, you will first have to visit the nearest regional passport office and ask them for a copy of the lost passport.
- This includes a birth certificate or an aadhar card.
- The users can also go for an online application, and they will have to reapply on the official passport Seva website.
- You will have to log in to the registered id, and here, if you want, you can opt for the tatkal option.
- For a lost passport, you will have to pay the processing fee along with Rs.1500.
- You must take a print of the application reference number. You will get a confirmation through SMS.
In case I visit another country and lose my passport there, what do you do?
In case you are traveling abroad and lose your passport, it means that you will also lose the visa. So to get the visa back, you will have to visit the embassy of the respective country that issued your visa. Again, you will also need a copy of the old visa and the FIR.
What is the lost passport application procedure under the Tatkal Scheme?
Under the tatkaal scheme, you will get the passport within 2 to 3 days but you will have to pay an extra amount in case you are in a hurry to get the passport.
| Passport Category | Application fee under normal scheme | Application fee under tatkaal scheme |
| Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport with 10 years validity. | Rs.1500 | Rs.2000 |
| Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport with extra booklet) of 10 years validity. | Rs.2000 | Rs.2000 |
| Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport for Minors (below 18 years of Age), of 5 years validity or till the minor attains the age of 18 whichever is earlier (36 pages) | Rs.1000 | Rs.2000 |
| Replacement of Passport in case the passport is lost, damaged or stolen | Rs.3000 | Rs.2000 |
| Replacement of Passport in case the passport is damaged or stolen | Rs.3500 | Rs.2000 |
| Police Clearance Certificate | Rs.500 | N/A |
| Replacement of Passport for changing personal details valid for 10 years ( 36 pgs) | Rs.1500 | Rs.2000 |
Conclusion
In case your passport gets stolen, you will have to lodge an FIR in the police station that is nearest to your location. If you are aware of the person, who has stolen it, you can include their name in the passport, and if you do not know, you will have to file an FIR against anonymous. It is important for you to carry documents required for lost passport India. This will help you to get the passport without any hassles.
FAQ
How can I apply for a duplicate passport if my passport is lost or damaged?
There is no way a duplicate passport can be issued. If the passport is lost, you will be provided with a new passport number, which will have a fresh validity. The candidate will have to apply under the reissue category mentioning the reason- lost/damaged.
I lost my passport while I am living in Germany. I do not have a copy of the passport that I had previously. Kindly suggest what needs to be done.
Even if you do not have a copy of the old passport, it will not matter much. But you will have to provide the previous details of the passport will include the passport number, date of issuance of the passport, expiry date, and also the place of issue of the passport while you fill-up the passport application form.
In case my passport is lost and I am in urgency to travel abroad, what should I do?
If the passport though damaged but has not been damaged beyond recognition, that is, you can still read the number of the passport and the photo is also intact, you can get the passport reissued under the tatkal scheme.
I have come back to the country with an emergency certificate after I lost my passport abroad. So can I get the passport reissued?
You can apply for the reissuance of the passport with the following documents:
· A valid document having the details of the address.
· A document that proves the day you were born.
· Affidavit stating details about the place from where you think that the passport was lost.
