Indian nationals applying for a new or renewed passport must follow the Center’s amended requirements, which are published in the Indian Gazette under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
Mandatory Birth Certificate
When applying for a passport, anyone born on or after October 1, 2023, must provide a birth certificate as the only recognised proof of date of birth. The certificate must be issued by the Municipal Corporation, the Registrar of Births and Deaths, or someone authorised under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1969.
Documents for Date of Birth (For those born before October 1, 2023)
– Transfer, school leaving, or matriculation certificate from a recognized educational institution
– PAN (Permanent Account Number) card issued by the Income Tax Department
– Pay Pension Order or government employee service record
– Public life insurance policy bond
– Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar
– EPIC (Election Photo Identity Card)
– Valid driving license
Digital Embedding of Residential Address
Residential addresses will no longer appear on the final page of passports in order to protect privacy and security. Instead, this information will be saved in a barcode implanted in the passport that can be scanned by border agents as needed.
Proof of Address
The following documents can be used as proof of address when applying for a passport:
– Water bill
– Electricity bill
– Telephone bill (post-paid mobile or landline)
– Aadhaar card
– Employment certificate on formal letterhead
– Evidence of a gas connection
– Rent agreement
– Income Tax Assessment Order
– Election Commission picture ID card
– Parent’s passports (for minors)
– Spouse’s passport copy
– Passbook from a regional rural bank, private sector bank, or scheduled public sector bank
No Parents’ Names on Passports
To safeguard privacy and aid those separated from their families, the names of parents will no longer be printed on the final page of passports under the new rules. This adjustment is intended to benefit children from estranged families and single-parent households.