A stolen passport can lead to identity theft. This is a serious offense where the culprit can remove your photograph and put his own and cross borders illegally – implicating you in the crime. If you lose your passport abroad, things get even more complicated. You will have to approach the Indian Embassy in that country to apply for a new one.
For this reason, always keep your passport details such as your passport number, date of issue, date of expiry and place of issue with you. Also, keep a photocopy of your passport when traveling or simply a picture on your phone.
If you need to come to India on an urgent basis, you will need to apply for an Emergency Certificate at the respective embassy of that country.
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How to Get a New Passport if you have lost your passport?
If your passport has been stolen, first lodge an FIR at your nearest police station. Loss of passport should be immediately complaint to the nearest Police Station and to the Passport Office or Indian Mission, if abroad.
The FIR should be lodged against the person who has stolen the passport (if you are aware of who did it). If you are not sure who stole your passport, then lodge the FIR against an unidentified person/persons.
In case the passport has been misplaced, file a report with the police saying that you have misplaced your passport.
Next, apply for a ‘re-issue’ of your passport at the passport office or your nearest Passport Seva Kendra.
Documents Required
- Passport application form
- Proof for your date of birth
- An affidavit stating how and where your passport was lost
- Original FIR report
- Proof of address
- Self-attested photocopy of first two and last two pages (including ECR/Non-ECR page) of your old passport (if available)
Applications can be submitted under the normal scheme or the tatkal schemes, the latter of which is fast. Fees for tatkal scheme, however, will be higher. The time taken to process the application before the dispatching is around 30 days. For further queries call 1800 258 1800 or visit Passport Seva website. You can apply for “Re-issue” of passport and submit the required documents along with your passport application form. You can also reapply for your passport online.
Tatkal Scheme
The Tatkal scheme has been introduced by the Government of India to get an Indian passport on an expedited basis (within 4 days) on payment of additional fees. Consequently, there might not be proof of urgency for the Out-Of-Turn issuance of passport under this scheme. However, the applicant has to be physically present before the official at the Regional Transport Office concerned while applying for the passport under the Tatkal scheme.
FAQs
- How long does it take to replace a lost or stolen passport?
Usually, it takes 30 working days from the date of submission of the application. In Tatkal case, it takes 1 to 3 days.
- Can I replace a lost passport in 1 day?
No. But in Tatkal scheme, you can receive your passport within 1 to 3 days.
- How much does it cost to replace a lost passport?
Normally, for 30 pages, it takes Rs.3000/- and for Tatkal it takes Rs.5000/-. Whereas for 60 pages, it takes Rs.500 extra for both.
- What is a damaged passport?
Based on the extent of damage, there are two ways to differentiate:
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- Damaged Passport – Passport number is readable, the name is legible and the photo is intact
- Damaged beyond recognition
- What to do if the passport booklet is damaged and the holder wants to go abroad urgently?
The person can try on the Tatkal scheme to replace the passport if the damage is beyond recognition.
- How to apply for a duplicate passport if it is damaged or lost?
You have to replace the passport by providing certain documents. Further, refer this link to know the exact documents which you need to carry.
- How can I apply for passport online?
No. You will have to be present physically.
- How can I check my passport status?
You can check your passport status online here by providing your application type, file name and your DOB.
- What are the required documents in Tatkal case?
You should visit the Assistant Passport Officer (APO), Head of Passport Seva Kendra or RPO to know the required documents. However, their decision is final.
- What are the types of passports in India?
- Ordinary passport (blue cover)
- -> Official passport (grey cover)
- -> Diplomatic passport (maroon cover)
- What are the reasons for re-issuing the passport?
- Exhaustion of Pages
- Validity Due to Expire
- Validity Expired
- Renewal of Short Validity Passport (SVP)
- Lost/Stolen Passport
- Damaged Passport
- Change in Existing Personal Particulars