Police Verification for Indian Passport

What is Police Verification for Passport?

A passport verification is done for both renewal of an old passport or issuing a new Indian passport. It is a verification process that the local police authorities must perform once intimated by the passport office.

The police verification for an Indian passport is done to verify the identity, address, and criminal background of an applicant and is a necessary step to avoid issuance of a passport to anyone who could be a threat to national security. The police verification for a passport is done through a police officer who visits your current residence to confirm the details provided in the passport application.

Why is Police Verification for Indian Passport Required?

A thorough PVR (Police Verification Report) is important to ensure and verify the identity of an applicant for a new passport and even for an Indian passport renewal. Some of the reasons for which a police verification is mandatory for a passport issuance are listed below:

• To verify if the person is not a threat to national security
• To prevent the country from any threat or identity theft
• To ensure the safety of a country and verify the identity of an applicant.

What Happens During Passport Police Verification?

Any Indian can apply for a passport if they want to travel abroad. The Indian passport is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. The passport application procedure involves multiple steps such as filling the application form, document submission, biometric verification and police verification. The passport verification is the final step before it is issued and dispatched to you at your current address that you filled in your application form.

Passport verification is done via identity and address verification by the local police once you have successfully submitted the online application form and completed your biometrics at the passport office. Usually, a designated officer from your local police station carries out this verification by visiting your residence. It is advisable to keep all necessary documents handy. The police are the decision-makers here and will share a report once they visit your residence.

Once the police officer visits your home, they verify relevant details and issue a Police Verification Report (PVR) from their respective police station. The file status can include either of the following:

• Incomplete: Indicates that you didn't provide relevant documents or have provided an incomplete passport application.
• Adverse: Indicates that your verification was not complete due to a mismatch or wrong information. This can also be issued if you have a pending criminal case.
• Clear: Indicates that your passport application is successful.

You can check the status of your passport verification online on the passport seva portal website. After the police provides a clearance report, your passport will be issued and sent within three working days from the receipt of a Police Verification Report (PVR) by the Police Department.

Modes of Police Verification for Indian Passport Issuance

There are two modes of police verification for Indian passports if you have applied for a normal passport or a tatkaal passport in India. Check the table below to understand the different modes of passport verification in India along with the time it will take to finally issue your passport once the verification is cleared.

How is Indian Passport Police Verification Done?

Indian passports generally require a clear PVR (police verification report) before issuing the passport. In such cases, applicants can initiate the online passport police verification by following these steps:

• Step 1: Go to the official passport seva portal on your device
• Step 2: Login to the portal with your existing credentials used for passport application
• Step 3: Now, click on the ' Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate' option
• Step 4: Fill in the required details, then submit your form
• Step 5: Now pay and schedule an appointment on the 'View Submitted Application' option
• Step 6: You can print the application receipt for the PVR fee payment, or else you can also show an SMS later during your Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) visit
• Step 7: Upon your visit to the Passport Seva Kendra, carry the receipt along with other documents.

Once all the documents have been submitted, the authorities will begin your pre-police verification on your behalf. Your PSK will send your identity and address proof to the designated police station. A police officer from your jurisdiction will be assigned to visit your home address, as mentioned in your documents. You must ensure that you are at home at this time, especially if you live or work in another city.

After the police officer has visited your home, met you, and cross-checked relevant documents, you can sign the required documents for your passport police verification.

Upon verification and approval, the police officer will provide a verified report to the passport office. It will take around 3 to 5 working days to dispatch your passport. You can easily track the status of the passport on the official website.

Police Verification for Minor Passport in India

Usually, there is no police verification required for a minor's passport in India. Minor children up to the age of 18 years are issued an Indian passport with a validity of 5 years.

A police verification for a minor passport is not required when either or both parents of the child hold a valid Indian passport and the name of the parent is mentioned in the spouse′s passport.

Children who are 15 to 18 years old have an option to apply for a passport with a 10 years validity on a pre-PV basis. However, the final decision is with the Passport Office.

How to Find the Nearest Police Station for Police Verification Report (PVR)?

You can easily find the nearest police station for passport verification by following these steps:

• Visit the official passport seva portal website
• Under the 'Before You Apply' section, you will find the link for 'Know your Police Station'. Click on the link provided.
• Now, all you need to do is to provide the state and police district applicable as per your address. Once filled in, click on 'Go'
• A list of police stations, along with their police district, will be displayed in alphabetical order. Find the police station closest to your residence.

In case you're unable to locate the nearest police station, you can seek help from Google Maps or reach out to the local police station in your area.

How to Check Passport Verification Status for Indian Passport?

You can easily check the passport police verification status online using the mPassport Seva and the Passport Seva Portal website passportindia.gov.in. You can use the steps mentioned below to check the PCC status online.

• Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva Portal
• Step 2: Use your registered credentials to log in to the passport seva portal.
• Step 3: Go to the "Track Application Status" option and enter your file number and date of birth.
• Step 4: Click on "Track Status" to view the current status of your police verification.

Once the designated police officer has submitted a PVR, your passport will be approved and dispatched within 3-5 working days. You can also track passport status through the same method.