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PASSPORT
A Passport is an official document/permit issued by the government which
is a proof of the holder's identity and nationality. It is a document
which gives permission to travel abroad and re-entry into the country.
Obtain a Passport.
You should apply for a Passport at the nearest Passport office. The
documents required while applying for the same are:
Proof of Residence
Date of Birth Certificate
5 recent Photographs
Financial Guarantee or proof of exemption.
Verification Certificate (Preferably one verified by a Government officer)
In place of a passport, some people hold a "Certificate of Identity"
(often called a "CI"), which is roughly equivalent to a passport.
Passport Renewal
Passports are issued for a specific
period of time usually a 10 year validity period-an initial of 5 years
which is renewable for another years. It can be renewed at your country's
embassy located anywhere abroad. If your passport will expire any time
during your intended stay abroad then you will have to extend it at
the appropriate time. Only your home-country government can extend your
passport. If an extension is necessary, make application several months
before the date of expiration of your passport. This should be done
at your nearest home country consulate or embassy where you can ask
about forms (Fees if any) and procedures. You may also renew your passport
when you are home for a visit. A passport is a very important document.
It should be kept upto date by renewing it before it expires. Its loss
should be reported immediately to the local police authorities and also
to the nearest Indian Embassy / Consulate General.
Indian passports can be renewed any
time from one year before, to six months after the actual date of expiry.
If the passport is already ten years old and has finally expired, a
new passport will be issued. Final expiry is indicated on the passport
by the letter "F" or the word "Final" mentioned
after the date of expiry on the passport. Three passport size photographs
are to be submitted along with the application duly filled in for issuance
of a new passport booklet. In case there is any change in appearance,
one of these photographs should be duly attested by a Notary Public.
However, if the passport has not expired finally, the same booklet is
renewed. The forms for renewal of Indian passports and for issuance
of new passport booklets are different and appropriate forms are required
to be filled in. All applicants for passport services are also required
to submit photocopies of their Resident Alien Cards or proof of their
lawful residence in USA. Passports of visitors can be extended only
for a short period to facilitate their return to India.
Duplicate Passports: The issuance
of duplicate passports in lieu of lost or damaged passports is handled
under a special procedure. A duplicate passport can only be issued to
an applicant on confirmation of the particulars of the lost passport
from the original Passport Issuing Authority and receipt of the clearance
of the Ministry of External Affairs. All applicants for duplicate passports
must fill out
(i) one copy of the new passport application form and
(ii) six copies of 'Personal Particulars Performa'.
These forms must be filled in correctly, completely and legibly. Generally
it takes at least eight to ten weeks to obtain confirmation of passport
particulars and the clearance from the Government of India. However,
if one pays fax charges, telegraphic references are made. Paying fax
charges cannot guarantee issuance of a duplicate passport within any
fixed time-frame.
Emergency Certificate: Emergency certificates are one-way travel documents
to return to India and are generally issued to visiting Indians who
lose their passports or to people who need to be deported. However,
such certificates can be issued if the Indian citizenship of the person
is confirmed. More
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