Navigating the Passport Maze! What to Do When Your Passport is Lost or Damaged, Know Here

Passport News: One essential document needed to travel overseas is a passport. A passport is an official document of identification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in India. Passports can, however, occasionally be misplaced or destroyed, which can cause needless anxiety and inconvenience.

What is a Damaged Passport? 

Depending on the degree of damage, passports can be categorised as damaged. There are two more categories for damaged passports. A passport of the first kind has a readable passport number, a legible name, and an intact photo. A passport that has been irreparably damaged is the second kind.

How should you proceed if your passport is damaged or lost?

• If you lost or damaged your passport in India: Reporting the loss of a passport to the closest police station and passport office must be done right away.
• If an Indian national loses their passport abroad: You must notify the nearby police station where you are travelling right away about the loss. Speak with the Indian Embassy. You can apply for a new passport and review the list of all the documents that must be sent with the application. An Emergency Certificate (EC) permitting return to India is granted following the authentication of Indian nationality, origin, and specifics.

Here is the procedure to follow in case your Indian passport gets lost or damaged

• To report a loss or damage, get in touch with the local police station: Reporting the loss or damage to the closest police station should be your first course of action. You will require a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) in order to submit a passport application.
• Gather all necessary documentation: You need to gather the necessary documentation in order to apply for a new passport. These include a copy of the FIR, identification documentation, proof of address, and your prior passport, if any. You will also need to provide additional identification, such as a birth certificate, a diploma from your most recent school year, or any other document proving your nationality, if your previous passport is not available.
• Apply for a new passport: Passport Seva Kendras in your neighbourhood are the places where you can apply in person or online. (PSK). Fill out the application, make the payment, and send in the necessary documentation. You will also have to schedule a PSK appointment for a passport interview.
• Attend the passport interview: Be prompt in your attendance at the passport interview. Verifying your identity and ensuring the information you provided on the application form is correct are the goals of the interview.
• Wait for the passport to be issued: Following the interview, your application will be reviewed and a new passport will be issued. You can check the status of your application online, even though passport processing times can vary.

How to apply for a duplicate or new passport?

If a passport is misplaced or destroyed, a new one may be issued with a new number and a new validity period. The applicant must submit an application under the "re-issue" category citing lost or damaged passport as the reason. No passports are issued in duplicate.

Lost Passport and No Photocopy Available: Providing a photocopy of the previous passport is not required in cases of lost, stolen, or damaged passports, but it is advised if one is available. In order to complete the passport application form, you must enter the details from your previous passport, including the number, issue date, expiration date, and issue location. In the event that the information is unavailable, get in touch with the relevant mission or post.

Fees and charges for passport applications that are lost or damaged

You can get a replacement passport for a fee if it has been misplaced or damaged. The cost to replace a lost, damaged, or stolen 36-page passport is Rs. 3,000, and the cost to replace a 60-page passport is Rs. 3,500. However, there is an extra charge of Rs. 2,000 if you are using the Tatkal scheme to apply for a 36- or 60-page passport in place of a lost, stolen, or damaged passport. It's crucial to remember that these costs could alter, so before submitting an application for a replacement passport, it's best to confirm the current fee schedule.

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