Indian Passport Renewal in USA [2024 Updated]

If your passport is about to expire or has expired, it’s important to renew your Indian passport in time to avoid any unnecessary troubles. Since November 4, 2020, VFS Global has dealt with Indian passport renewal in the USA on behalf of the Embassy of India, Washington DC, or its Consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco.

In this article, we will explain Indian passport renewal in USA in detail, including its requirements, process, processing time, fees, and other frequently asked questions.

When Do I Need to Renew My Indian Passport? 

The India passport renewal should be filed under the following conditions. 

• It has expired or is about to expire. In India, the passport is allowed to be renewed up to 1 year before expiration and up to three years after expiration.
• It does not satisfy the entry requirements of your destination country, such as the validity and remaining blank pages.
• It is damaged, creased, or stained. Make sure all information and the photograph on the biometric page must be clear and recognizable. If you are holding an e-passport, the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip must be readable.
• You have changed the essential information on it, such as your name, gender, etc.
• Your current look is different from that appearing on the passport.

Applicants start over a brand-new application process for renewal after which a new booklet is issued. Please note that the remaining validity of the old passport will not be transferred to the new one.

How to Renew an Indian Passport in the USA

Renewing Indian passports in the US can be done via two methods, by mailing or by submitting required documents to VFS Global application centre in person. Below, we will explain each way with detailed steps.

Step 1. Fill out the Application Form

The application form is available on the official website of Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates. You must create an account and complete the application through the steps below.

If you already have one, skip the registration step and click “User Login” button. If you don’t want to fill out the form on your own, you can pay for the VFS form filling service.

• Select the region after you enter the website. In this case, select USA.

• Click on “Register” and provide required details, including Embassy/consulate, name, date of birth, and e-mail ID.

• Receive an email and activate the account as instructed.
• Log in to the website after activating the account.

• Select “Apply for Ordinary passport – Application for fresh passport/Re-issue of Passport (Blue cover passport)”.

• Specify your passport type. To renew an Indian passport in the USA, please check “Re-issue of passport” and “Validity expired within 3 years/Due to expire”. If you want to change information related to the existing passport, check the box next to “Change in personal particular” and choose relative details on the right. Choose the Type of application and Pages of the new booklet. Please note that Tatkal and 60 pages will have a higher fee. An ordinary booklet with 36 pages is enough for most people unless you are a frequent international traveler.

• Click “Next” and fill out APPLICANT DETAILS. Make sure all required fields are filled accurately and completely before saving the application.

• Note down the “Application reference number” (ARN) shown on top of the page.
• Continue to provide FAMILY DETAILS. If you have selected “married” for marital status, your spouse’s name is needed.

• Provide address details. You need to Fill out a “printable address” and an “other address”. One of them must be in India for police verification. If you don’t have one, you can enter your parents’ or a relative’s.

• Provide emergency contacts. It is used to reach you when the authority cannot contact you through the previously offered contact information.

• Provide details of the existing passport, such as validity, date of issuing, etc.

• Provide other necessary details.
• Preview the biometric page that will appear on your new passport and click “Next”.
• Verify the information that you have filled in previous steps. If there is anything wrong, correct it. If not, submit it.
• Click the “Print Application Form” button on Home Page and print the application on a single side of a sheet of white paper.
• Sign the printed form with a black or blue pen.

Step 2. Sign Up on VFS Global

Passport renewal fees should be paid on the VFS website. Supposing that you want to renew in person, a prior appointment must be scheduled visa VFS. Therefore, it is necessary to create a VFS Global account. Let’s see how to create a new application on VFS.

• Visit the VFS global website and choose “Passport”.

• Fill out the mandatory fields with an asterisk, such as type of service, passport service, state of living, marital status, booklet type, and passport format. Enter the verification code and click “Proceed”.

• Preview the renewal fees and download Indian passport renewal in USA checklist. Proceed to create a VFS account and fulfill payment.

• Register and activate your account by email.

• Create a New Application and Add Customer on VFS Global. It might be tedious to enter information about yourself and your passport again, but it deserves a double check in case of any inconsistency. Last but not least, input the ARN number that you obtain in the Application Form Filling Section in the ‘Govt reference number’ field.

Step 3. Pay The Fee

After adding customer, you will be directed to the customer list screen where you need to select courier service. Mark the VFS reference number which will be used to search and track your application. “VFS’s official courier service” is suggested because they offer two-way shipping. If you do want to choose “I will use my own courier service”, remember to include a pre-paid envelope for return shipping. Please note that USPS prepaid labels and UPS prepaid labels with UPS Store address are unacceptable.

The total fees for renewal of Indian passport in USA will be calculated according to the chosen courier service. Click on the “confirm application” button and the page automatically goes to Adyen.com where you will pay the renewal fees.

Download the shipping labels after paying online and prepare to renew passport by mail or renew passport by appointment.

Step 4. Collect The Documents

Now that you have completed the mandatory online registration with VFS, it’s time to submit a physical application. Before mailing out or visiting the VFS office, you are supposed to prepare the supporting documents listed below. 

Here is a mandatory Indian passport renewal in USA checklist for all applicants.

• Original copy of the online application form filled on official website of Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates.
• Two 2 x 2 biometric photos with white background. (👉Create 2×2 photos here for free!)

• Original existing Indian passport along with photocopies of the first 5 pages and the last 2 pages.
• Original notarized Affidavit For Change Of Appearance & Signature
• Original signed Annexure E.
• Notarized colored copy of proof of valid status in the USA, such as a green card (showing both the front and back), US visa, EAD (showing both the front and back), I-797A Approval Notice, work permit, study permit, recently expired visa and notarized I-797A Approval notice together with notarized I-797C Receipt Notice or I-797A, proof of extension for expired B1/B2 holders, or a hotel bill for customer on L1/L3.
• Colored copy of proof of residence in the US, such as a valid state-issued ID, driving license, utility bill within the last 3 months, lease agreement, mortgage, income tax return, letter from your College/University institution letterhead, proof of relationship in case the address is in your spouse/children/parent’s name, or hotel bill.
• Application confirmation receipt. If you choose your own courier label, enclose an acceptable pre-paid label.
• Proof of payment

For minor applicants, extra documents are required.

• Annexure – C in case one parent hasn’t given consent.
• Annexure-D in case one applies for minors.
• Copies of the first and last page of both parents’ Indian passports.
• Copies of the proof of parents’ legal status in the USA.
• Birth Certificate of the minor

Depending on some special conditions, extra documents are needed.

• To remove or change your spouse’s name, submit a divorce decree, new marriage certificate, or death certificate.
• To change your name, submit Affidavit of Name Change.
• To add or change your Indian Address, submit Indian address proof, such as a self-attested copy of an Aadhar card, a recent bank statement with a photograph from a Government bank, a driver’s license, a utility bill within the last 3 months, a voter’s ID card, ration card with you and your parents’ name, photo passbook of PSU Bank, your parents’ passport copy as their name is on the your passport, Indian address proof of your parents or relatives.
• To change your parent’s name, submit 2 copies of supporting public documents in India with the new name, such as a passport, Aaadhar card, voter ID, PAN card, and educational qualification certificate.
• Submit a newspaper advertisement in case you change your name not for marital status.
• Submit a court order issued by judicial officer in case you change your date/place of birth.

Step 5. Renew the Passport by Mail/Post

There are two methods for you to renew the passport, by mail or by handing the above documents in person. If you decide to renew your passport by mail, send all the supporting documents to the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, or Washington DC. The address is listed on the shipping label.

Step 6. Renew the Passport by Appointment

If you want to renew your passport in person, you should book an appointment first. Login with your account.

Choose a preferred Application centre.

Enter the necessary information.

Choose the date and time.

Confirm all the details and pay the fee.

On the scheduled date and time, visit the chosen VFS Indian Consular Application Centre with all required documents. It is suggested to arrive 10-15 minutes earlier in case of missing the appointment.

Step 7. Collect the New Passport

When your renewed passport is ready, the authority will inform you. How to collect it depends on the way you apply. Mail applications will be sent to you by post through the VFS’s official courier service or a self-addressed envelope. For in-person applications, it should be picked up at the ICAC at passport pickup time. 

Where to Apply for Indian Passport Renewal?

There are 6 VFS Indian Consular Application Centres in the US and each of them takes charge of consular jurisdiction in different states. If you have any questions, please contact the local branch for help. The ICACs open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm between Monday and Friday. To pick up passports, please visit between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

Indian Passport Renewal in USA Processing Time

How long it takes to renew an Indian passport in the USA depends on where you apply from and whether a clearance is needed.

Fees for Renewal of Indian Passport in USA

The total fee varies according to your passport type and payment methods. A detailed price list is shown below.

FAQ

Does Indian passport renewal in the USA need police verification?

Yes, in most cases. Government servants filing Tatkaal applications are exempted from it if they are required to submit an “Identity Certificate” as per Annexure A or “No Objection Certificate“ as per Annexure G.

What happens if an Indian passport expires in the USA?

You can still stay in the country as long as your visa is valid, but you are supposed to request a renewal as soon as possible.

Is an Indian address required for passport renewal in the USA?

Yes because it will be used for police verification.

Can I travel back to India with an expired passport?

No. All international travelers must satisfy the 6-month passport validity rule to enter India even if they are Indian citizens.

Can I reuse the old passport photos? 

The photo must be taken in the last 6 months, so it is suggested to take a new shot instead of using an old one.

Where can I take my Indian passport photo in the USA?

Photographers in the USA might be not familiar with Indian passport photo requirements and might charge a lot. If you want to save time and money, you can take a photo at home and use AiPassportPhotos passport photo editor to make a qualified Indian passport photo without a penny. Simply upload your picture to the website and you will get a 2×2 inch passport photo within seconds.

Summary

After reading this passage, we can rest assured if your Indian passport expires or will expire abroad. India passport renewal in the USA is outsourced to VFS Global. When it comes to how to renew your Indian passport in the USA, you should file applications online and mail or submit applications in person to VFS. There are 6 VFS ICACs around the US, just pick the suitable one according to where you live. Only valid passports are accepted as proof of identity. As it takes about 1-12 weeks to receive a new passport, it is suggested to renew it as early as possible.