Child Passport Application in India 2026 — PSK Process for Minors
By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published · 12 min read
Complete walkthrough of applying for an Indian passport for a child under 18 in 2026 — documents, Annexure D or G, PSK appointment with both parents and child, fees, and how to avoid the most common rejection.
Why your child needs a passport (even if they are not flying yet)
An Indian passport for a minor is mandatory for any international travel, but most parents apply earlier than that — because the document also acts as the cleanest photo ID for school admissions, bank KYC, mutual fund nominations and overseas family events. Once a child crosses 4 years of age, their photograph is required in the passport, so applying before age 4 means the document looks dated by the time you actually use it. Applying just before a planned trip is also risky because Tatkal slots are limited and police verification windows can slip.
The Indian passport for a minor (under 18) has different rules from an adult passport. Validity for under-15 is 5 years or until the child turns 15, whichever is earlier. Validity for 15-18 is 5 years or until age 18, with an option to apply for a 10-year passport at 15 if you do not mind re-doing the document at adulthood. The fee structure is lower for minors, and police verification is normally waived.
Documents you actually need (build the file first)
Walking into a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) without all originals is the single biggest cause of rejected appointments. The complete document list for a minor in 2026:
- Birth certificate — original issued by the municipal authority (Nagar Nigam, Municipal Corporation, Panchayat). Hospital discharge summaries are not accepted. Both parents' names should be on the birth certificate; if not, you'll need an affidavit.
- Both parents' current passports — original plus self-attested photocopies of the front and back pages, ECNR pages, and any addendum pages. If a parent does not have a passport, an Annexure G with declaration is needed.
- Both parents' Aadhaar cards — original plus copy.
- Both parents' PAN cards — copy is enough.
- Address proof — Aadhaar of the parent is acceptable. If the address has changed, also carry a utility bill, rent agreement, or bank passbook in the parent's name showing the current address.
- School proof for children aged 5 and above — school identity card or a "bonafide" letter from the school on letterhead confirming the child's enrolment and date of birth.
- Annexure D — declaration of parental consent for a minor child, signed by both parents. Required for all under-18 applications where both parents are alive and consenting.
- Annexure G — declaration if only one parent will be signing (sole custody, divorce, missing parent, deceased parent). Requires supporting documents like a custody order, divorce decree, or death certificate.
- Annexure C — used in specific cases like single-parent surrogacy or adoption.
- Child's recent photograph — if applying online without a PSK photo (very rare; almost everyone gets the photo at the PSK itself for ages 4+).
Step 1 — Online application at passportindia.gov.in
Everything starts at the official portal. Do not use any third-party agent unless you specifically want to (they charge ₹1,500-4,000 to fill the same form). Steps:
- Register on passportindia.gov.in with the parent's email and mobile number.
- Choose "Apply for Fresh Passport" and select "Minor (below 18 years)".
- Choose between "Normal" and "Tatkal" — Tatkal is faster (1-3 working days vs 7-15) and roughly three times the fee.
- Fill the form. Use the child's name exactly as it appears on the birth certificate. This is the single most common mistake. If the birth certificate says "ANIKA SHARMA" and the school ID says "ANIKA M SHARMA", use the birth certificate version.
- Enter both parents' details exactly as they appear on their existing passports. Mismatches between parent details across the family create downstream issues.
- Choose your PSK or POPSK (Post Office Passport Seva Kendra) — PoPSKs in smaller cities are often less crowded and have shorter appointment waits.
- Pay the fee online (₹1,000 normal for under-18 36-page; ₹3,000 Tatkal; ₹1,500 for 60-page normal).
- Print the application receipt with the appointment date and ARN number.
Step 2 — The PSK appointment (both parents and child must appear)
This is the rule that catches families off guard: both parents must physically appear at the PSK along with the child for a minor passport application. The only exceptions are death of a parent (death certificate), legal sole custody (custody order), or specific consent waivers using Annexure G with supporting evidence. NRIs and parents posted overseas can use Annexure D notarised at an Indian mission, but the in-person appearance rule is otherwise strict.
On the appointment day:
- Reach the PSK 15-20 minutes before your slot. Carry the ARN printout, all original documents, and one set of self-attested photocopies.
- Counter A — token issuance and initial document check.
- Counter B — biometric photograph and fingerprints. Children below 4 do not get a photo or fingerprints; the passport will carry the parents' photograph reference instead. Children aged 4 and above get their own photograph and (from age 5) fingerprints.
- Counter C — granting officer's interview. The officer verifies original documents, asks brief identity questions to the parents, and approves or sends for further verification.
- The visit takes 1.5-3 hours depending on PSK load. Bring snacks and water for the child; PSKs are generally air-conditioned but waiting time can be long for restless toddlers.
Step 3 — Police verification (usually waived for minors)
For a minor passport, if both parents already hold valid Indian passports and the child's address matches a parent's existing passport address, police verification is generally not required. This is the rule that makes minor passports relatively quick to receive.
If only one parent has a passport, or if the address differs, or if the application is Annexure G (single-parent), then police verification kicks in. It is post-passport-dispatch in most cases — the passport is issued, dispatched, and the police verification happens after. Cooperate with the local police visit when it comes; they verify the parent's identity and the child's residence.
Fees, processing times, and Tatkal
Fee structure for minor passports in 2026 (Government of India tariff):
- Normal (under 18, 36-page) — ₹1,000
- Normal (under 18, 60-page) — ₹1,500
- Tatkal (under 18) — ₹3,000 (regardless of page count)
- Re-issue (lost/damaged) — varies; check the portal at application time
Processing time in 2026, real-world averages:
- Normal — passport printed and dispatched in 7-15 working days from PSK appointment.
- Tatkal — passport printed and dispatched in 1-3 working days, sometimes same-day for early-morning slots.
- India Post delivery — adds 2-5 working days depending on city. Track via Speed Post tracking number sent via SMS.
For a planned international trip, apply at least 60 days before departure if you have flexibility. Tatkal is reliable but limited slots; book the appointment immediately after fee payment.
The single most common rejection — name mismatch
The most common reason a minor passport application is sent back for "additional documentation" is a name mismatch between the birth certificate and other identity records. Specifically:
- Birth certificate says "Rohan Kumar Verma" and the school says "Rohan Verma".
- Aadhaar of the child says "ROHAN K VERMA" and the application says "Rohan Kumar Verma".
- Birth certificate gives only the first name; school adds the surname.
- Spelling variations — "Aanya" vs "Ananya" vs "Aanyaa".
The PSK officer will ask for an affidavit on stamp paper from a notary explaining the variation. Easier path: apply with the name exactly as it appears on the birth certificate, then update Aadhaar and school records to match later. If the birth certificate name is wrong (e.g. missing a middle name), get the birth certificate corrected at the municipal authority before applying for the passport — this is faster than the affidavit route.
Renewing a minor passport — what changes after 5 years
Indian minor passports issued before age 15 expire after 5 years or at age 15, whichever is earlier. The renewal (technically "re-issue") process is similar to a fresh application — both parents must appear with the child, all documents are required, and the same fee structure applies. The advantage on renewal is that the child's previous passport is part of the file, the application is pre-populated, and police verification is generally not triggered again.
Once the child turns 15, you can apply for a 10-year adult passport. The application form changes (full adult biographical questions), the fee is higher (₹1,500 normal / ₹3,500 Tatkal for 36-page; ₹2,000 / ₹4,000 for 60-page), and post-16 the child can attend the PSK alone if both parents have provided consent in Annexure D.
If your child is 13-14 and you have an upcoming long international trip in 2-3 years, it is often worth applying for a fresh 5-year minor passport now, then re-applying for a 10-year adult passport at 18. Splitting the cycles keeps the photograph current and the validity comfortable.
A timeline that actually works (work backwards from departure)
- Day -90 — Collect birth certificate (correct if needed), both parents' valid passports, child's Aadhaar, school proof.
- Day -75 — Online application at passportindia.gov.in, fee payment, PSK appointment booking.
- Day -60 to -45 — PSK visit with both parents and child.
- Day -45 to -30 — Passport printed and dispatched; track via Speed Post.
- Day -30 to -25 — Passport received. Begin visa applications.
- Day 0 — Fly.
For Tatkal, compress this to 21-30 days, but only if you are confident no document mismatch will trigger a hold.
Frequently asked questions
Do both parents have to be present at the PSK for a minor passport?
Yes, both parents must physically appear at the Passport Seva Kendra along with the child for a minor (under 18) passport application. Exceptions exist for death of a parent (with death certificate), legal sole custody (with court order), or NRIs using a notarised Annexure D from an Indian consulate, but the in-person requirement is otherwise enforced strictly.
What is the fee for an Indian passport for a child in 2026?
₹1,000 for the standard 36-page minor passport, ₹1,500 for the 60-page version, and ₹3,000 for Tatkal service. India Post dispatch is included. Online fee payment is mandatory before booking the PSK appointment.
How long is an Indian passport valid for a child?
For children under 15, the passport is valid for 5 years or until the child turns 15, whichever is earlier. For children 15-18, parents can choose a 5-year minor passport or a standard 10-year adult passport.
Is police verification required for a minor passport?
Generally no — if both parents hold valid Indian passports and the child's address matches a parent's passport address, police verification is waived. If only one parent has a passport, or if Annexure G is used, police verification happens after the passport is dispatched.
What is Annexure D and when do I need Annexure G?
Annexure D is the standard parental consent declaration signed by both parents for a minor under 18, used when both parents are alive and consenting. Annexure G is used when only one parent will be signing because of sole custody, divorce, missing parent, or deceased parent, and requires supporting documents like a custody order or death certificate.
My child's name on the birth certificate is different from the school ID. Will the passport application be rejected?
Not rejected, but it will be put on hold for an affidavit on stamp paper explaining the variation. The cleanest fix is to apply with the name exactly as on the birth certificate and then update Aadhaar and school records to match. If the birth certificate is wrong (missing middle name, wrong spelling), correct it at the municipal authority before applying.