A smooth cruise to passport

Bangalore: Your wait for passport just became hassle-free. Under the new system introduced by the external affairs ministry, police verification is not required to get your passport, thus cutting down on delays.
This comes with a caveat, though: police verification is carried out after the passport is issued to the applicant. If the police come up with a negative feedback on the applicant after the passport is issued, then the passport holder will get a notice and an opportunity to explain the negative feedback. The passport-holders’ version is accepted if found satisfactory. Regional passport officer P Kumaran told The Times of India that the new system introduced by the MEA is already in place. Though the MEA has come out with a new application format, the old forms will still be accepted for a month.
Under the new rules, the applicants have to fulfil any three of the 14 criteria listed (see Table I), of which one has to be between (1) and (9). In addition to the three, more documents could be submitted to strengthen one’s claim. The applicant has the option to get the police verification done, though it’s not mandatory.

THESE 3 DOCUMENTS ARE A MUST
Non-tatkal applicants can submit any three documents from the 14 listed (see Table I). New system is friendly to those changing addresses frequently. Only the new address has to be furnished with proof (see Table II). If any of the three of the 14 identified documents is not available, then police verification still holds good.

FOR TATKAL
Henceforth, no verification letter is mandatorily required from any police officer or bureaucrat for tatkal applicants. Tatkal applicants will get passports within seven days by paying a fee of Rs 1,500; and between 8 and 14 days by paying Rs 1,000.

WHAT ABOUT KIDS?
Passports of both parents should be attached with minor’s passport application. No police report required. If one parent has a passport, then the identity of the other parent can be established with any three documents (Table I). Both parents have to give a no-objection letter. If the child has only one parent, a single-parent affidavit has to be filed. If both parents don’t have a passport, then the identity establishment procedure has to be followed.

ECNR AUTOMATIC?
Yes, it’s automatic for applicants up to age 18 and is not dependent on parents. ECNR is stamped for adults with a minimum degree of matriculation

RENEWAL CASES

No documents required for reissue if the passport’s issued in Bangalore. In cases where passport had been issued in other cities (Chennai, Mumbai, etc), a confirmation or no-objection letter from the original issuing authority is required. Bangalore RPO corresponds online to get confirmation. If applicants want to bypass it, then any three documents (Table I) will do. Wherever major changes of physical appearance take place while submitting for reissue, then any three documents (Table I) are needed or a police check can be done. For duplicate, damaged and lost passports, same rules as in reissue cases apply. Important: applicant has to mandatorily furnish FIR.

POLICE CHECK A MUST...

The police clearance certificate is required for those seeking work permits in or permanent emigration to US, UK, Canada and Australia, among others.
For more, visit http://kar.nic.in/passport

THE LIST OF 14 DOCUMENTS (TABLE I)

Voter’s identity card
Service identity cards issued by government, PSU, local bodies or public limited companies
SC/ST/OBC certificates
Freedom fighter ID cards
Arm Licences
Property documents (pattas, registered deeds etc)
Appointment letter of reputed companies on letterhead
Ration card
Pension documents (ex-servicemen’s pension book, pension order, ex-servicemen’s widow, dependent certificates, old-age pension order and widow pension order)
Railway identification order
PAN cards
Kisan/bank/post office passbooks
Student identity cards
Driving licences
Birth certificate under the RBD Act

DOCUMENTS FOR ADDRESS PROOF (TABLE II)

Ration card
Letter of reputed companies regarding proof of stay
Statement of running bank account
Voter’s ID card
Letter from administrative department concerned in case of govt employee, regarding applicant’s present address as per department records
Appointment letter issued by reputed companies
Income tax assessment order
Spouse’s passport copy
Parents’ passport copy in case of minor
Domicile certificate issued by tahsildar
Water/telephone/electricity bill
Property tax in the name of the applicant
Lease agreement with additional proof such as cellphone bills