New rules for Passport application

Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh introduced the new set of rules for the passport application.

- Instead of biological parents, sadhus and sanyasis can now mention the names of their spiritual gurus.

- For DOB proof, any one of the following documents can be submitted- transfer/School leaving/ Matriculation Certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar having the DOB of applicant, copy of the extract of the service record of the applicant, driving licence, Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or LIC policy bond.

- Government employees who are unable to get Identity Certificate/ No-Objection Certificate from their employer, can now get the passport by submitting a self- declaration that he/she has given a prior Intimation letter to his/her employer informing that he/she was applying for an ordinary passport.

- Even single parents can apply for passports for their children from now on.

- On request of the applicant, the passports can now be printed without the name of the father or the mother.

- No attestation/swearing by/before any Notary/Executive Magistrate/First Class Judicial Magistrate would be henceforth necessary, as per the new rules, which also do not require the applicant to provide the name of her/his spouse in case of separated or divorced persons.

- Orphaned children who do not possess any Birth Certificate or the Matriculation Certificate or the declaratory court order, can submit a declaration given by the Head of the Orphanage/Child Care Home on official letter head of the organisation confirming the DOB of the applicant.

- For children not born out of marriage, the applicant should submit only self-declaration form while submitting the application. In case of passport issue to in-country domestically-adopted children, there is no need to submit the registered adoption deed.