You need to apply for NEW Passport
Hi MrGC2004,
You need to apply for NEW Passport as your current passport was issued for 10 years and it is less than 1 year to expire. We are in same situation and we are applying for our NEW Passport this week at Indian Consulate at SF.
There is a very clear explanation of who should apply for NEW Passport and who should apply for RENEWAL of existing Passport on Consulate General of India San Francisco web site at
http://www.cgisf.org/
I have pased the relevant sections from the web site below for your information -
SOME USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PASSPORT
i. Please keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place. Without these relevant issuance of a duplicate passport in case of loss/damage/theft may be delayed.
ii. It is an offence under the Passports Act 1967 to give false information in the Application. Passport facilities can be denied on grounds of suppression of factual information, submission of false particulars, willful damage of passport and for making unauthorized changes in the passport.
iii. Your passport can be impounded or revoked by the Government of India under the provisions of the Passports Act 1967, in the event of which you will have to surrender the Passport to the nearest Indian Passport authority.
iv. Indian Citizenship Law Does Not Provide For Dual Citizenship and, accordingly, it is illegal for a person to possess an Indian Passport once he/she becomes citizen of another country. It may therefore, be noted that on becoming citizen of any other country (including US), the holder of an Indian passport should return the same to the nearest Indian Consular post (Embassy/Consulate). The Indian passport will be stamped "acquired US nationality" and returned to holder. Please send the Indian passport with covering letter and a self addressed stamped envelope for this purpose.
v. Please always check the expiry date of your Passport, and get it renewed well in advance of the expiry. Incase your Passport has expired more than six months back the process of renewal may take longer time.
vi. Passport should not be sent out of any country by post. It should be in the custody of the holder or especially authorized by the holder. It must not be altered or mutilated in any way. Loss, theft or destruction of Passport should be immediately reported to the nearest passport authority in India or Mission abroad and to the local police authorities.
ISSUE OF NEW PASSPORTS
How do you know that you are covered under this section?
When should you apply for the new passport ?
How do you apply/ documents required?
How much time will it take to get a new passport ?
Will you get back your old passport with your new one ?
What will happen to the valid visas on your old passport ?
Can you obtain a new passport if you are in USA on a visitor’s visa?
What are the additional requirements when passport expired more than 6 months back?
Persons holding Indian passports with 20 year validity are advised to apply for a new 10 year validity passport by following requirements applicable for issue of new passport. The new passport will be issued gratis except for applicable mailing charges. However it is clarified that the 20-Year validity passport is a valid travel document and the change is optional at the discretion of the holder.
How do you know that you are covered under this section ?
i) When there is an ‘F’ or ‘Finally’ written after the date of expiry
ii) Or passport was issued 9-10 years back.
When should you apply for the new passport ?
i) Within one year of expiry of your passport. For example if your passport is expiring on 31st Dec,2002, you can apply for a new one anytime starting from 30th Dec,2001.
ii) But not later than 6 months after date of expiry. If your passport is expiring on 31st Dec,2002, you can apply for a new one not later than 30th June,2003. If for any reason you have delayed applying for a new passport more than six months after expiry of your passport, see instructions below (passport expired more than 6 months back).
BACK TO ISSUE OF NEW PASSPORT
How do you apply/ documents required?
i) Completed application form for new passport
ii) Original existing passport
iii) 4 photographs (preferably in color, front facing, 2" X 2")
iv) Copy of Green Card (both sides, enlarged clear copy) or Employment Authorization card (clear enlarged copy) or legal/ visa status such as HIB etc. Copy of the marriage certificate if name of spouse to be entered in new booklet.
v) In case present passport does not contain the name of spouse and you wish to have it entered in your new passport, copy of marriage certificate may be sent.
vi) Fees of $ 40 for new passport for adult only. Please see separate instructions for child’s passport.
vii) Mail back charges (preferably $15 for return by overnight mail which is more reliable and safe. Consulate can not take responsibility for delay in receipt or loss of documents sent by certified mail. No self addressed envelope necessary. Fees for passport + mailing charges can be sent together through a single money order or cashier’s check. Please note that payments by mail can only be made through money order or cashier's check in favor of the Consulate General of India.
BACK TO ISSUE OF NEW PASSPORT
How much time will it take to get a new passport ?
i) If you apply at the counter in person, it may take approximately 10 working days, provided application is in order and no prior reference is required to be made to the original Passport Issuing Authority . The period may vary depending upon rush of work.
Please note that passports received at the counter in the Consulate are returned after the service only at the counter. These are NOT returned by mail.
ii) If you apply by mail, it may take approximately 10 to 15 working days excluding time taken in mail. The period may vary depending upon rush of work.
Will you get back your old passport with your new one ?
Yes. The old passport will be returned to you after cancellation.
What will happen to the valid visas on your old passport ?
The visas will not be cancelled. In case of any valid visas in the expired passport, the visa issuing authority may be approached for getting it transferred or revalidated on the new passport.
BACK TO ISSUE OF NEW PASSPORT
Can you obtain a new passport if you are in USA on a visitor’s visa?
Visitors from India on BI / B2 visa who are not normally resident in USA are advised to hold passports which are valid for the period of their visit. In such cases, where it becomes necessary due to unavoidable reasons, fresh passports would be reissued.
What are the additional requirements when passport expired more than 6 months back?
i) Declaration on the New Passport Application form to be notarized by the Notary Public
ii) One photograph to be pasted on the form and notarized by the Notary Public, incase there has been a change in appearance.
iii) Attach an explanation on a separate sheet of paper giving reasons for delay in applying for a new passport.
BACK
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RENEWAL OF PASSPORTS (EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF CURRENT PASSPORT)
When are passports renewed ?
What are the requirements for renewing a passport?
How much time will it take?
What would be the duration of the renewal of the passport?
When are passports renewed ?
i) Passports which were issued less than 9 years back such as passports issued in India under the Tatkal scheme
ii) Passports which were issued against lost passports for short validity
iii) But NOT if your passport is completing 10 years / or there is a an F or Final written after the date of expiry- Please apply for new passport in such a case.
What are the requirements for renewing a passport?
i) Original passport
ii) Completed Passport Renewal form
iii) Copy of Green Card (both sides, enlarged clear copy) or Employment Authorization card (clear enlarged copy) or legal/ visa status such as HIB etc
iv) No Fee is payable for renewal but if you are applying by mail, charges for mailing back the passport may be sent through a money order/cashier's check in favor of Consulate General of India. Please see item "VII" of "new passport" requirements.
How much time will it take?
i) If you apply in person at the counter, same day if no prior clearance is required. It may take 30 –35 days if clearance has to be obtained.
ii) If you apply through mail, 3-5 working days, excluding time taken in mail. The proviso regarding clearance mentioned in i) above applies.
What would be the duration of the renewal of the passport?
i) Normally the validity of the passport will be extended up to 10 years from date of its original issue except for persons on BI/ B2 visa or where clearance has not been received from the original passport issuing authority.
ii) In cases of duplicate passports of short validity, renewal will depend upon the legal status of the applicant and receipt of clearance.
