Indian Passport Application in USA: Required Documents and Process

Want to apply for an Indian passport application in USA but do not know about the documents and process? Then, you are at the right place. A passport is one of the vital documents you need when you travel abroad. It is an Identity proof of you traveling overseas. Also, Indian applicants who are living in the US need to apply for their passports through VFS. Here the following blog consists of all the information about it. So, let's begin with knowing the required papers for the process.

Required Documents for Indian Passport Application in USA

There are some vital documents that you need for an Indian passport application in USA and some extra as well as per the services. Here to guide you better we have prepared the checklist of them. It assists you in keeping all the essential papers by your side during the process. Moving ahead, let's know about them:

Passport

The first thing that you need for the application is your Indian passport. However, for this, you need to follow the mentioned criteria:

• Current Passport (original)
• If the passport is less than five years old, attach the old passport as well
• Copies of the first five and last two pages of the current passport.
• Additional booklet if any

Furthermore, in case you have more than one original passport, provide a copy of that as well. In addition, if you have lost the passport or applying for a newborn child you have to skip this step.

Nationality Verification Form

Another vital document in the process is the Nationality Verification Form. During your application, you need to submit a photograph with the form. Generally, only one form is needed. However, in the case of a damaged/stolen/lost passport, the exception applies. In such a situation, with an expired visa status and application form, you need to submit 8 copies of the form.

Color Photographs

With a white background, you need to submit two color photographs of yours. The size of the photos should be 51mm x 51 mm (2 by 2). Along with it, they should be identical. Furthermore, other vital requirements include:

• Shoulders should be visible in the photographs
• Not should be older than six months
• Without spectacles
• The photo should be in colored clothes so that it is distinguished from the white background
• Without flashlight reflection

Return Envelop

If you want your passport by e-mail, attach a self-addressed USPS express return envelope with your application. In addition, you must include the VPS Global Application Centre in the form. Further, the postal applicants can follow the mentioned process:

• In the envelope in which you are sending your documents paste the emailed shipping label with the tracking number and barcode. Mention this on the front side of the envelope.
• On the return envelope include the tracking/waybill number.

These are the vital documents that you need during your Indian passport application in USA. With this, moving ahead, let's know about the notarized documents.

List of Notarized Documents for Indian Passport Application in USA

Whether you are applying for the Indian passport application in USA in person or via mail, all supporting papers should be notarized. Moving further, the following are the documents that need to be notarized:

Proof of Residence in the USA

With your passport application, you do need to submit your address proof. For this, you can submit the following notarized copies of the documents:

• Copy of rental lease agreement, utility bills, driving license, home mortgage bill, or State ID.
• Applicants who are above 60 years of age who do not have these papers can provide a copy of their State ID.
• Students living on campus or in dorms have to provide the address of their educational institution and letterhead.
• In the case of minors, address proof of any of their legal guardians is accepted.
• With this, if the current does not have the name of the spouse the notarized copy of the marriage certificate will needed. Along with it, the passport or Stated ID will also required during the application.

Legal Status Proof in the USA

Applicants need to attach the papers that prove their status in the US. They can attach a copy of a valid US visa. It includes a Green Card, L1/L2/H1B visa, I-797, or Employment Authorization card. Also, candidates who hold student visas must attach the I-20 document with the application. However, tourists or visitors who have visited the country for a short time cannot avail the application service. They have to apply for passport renewal or re-issue in India itself.

These are the following documents that applicants need to submit with the passport application. Further, there are some notarized affidavits too that they are required to attach for specific services. These are as follows:

• Affidavit for Signature and Appearance Change
• If applicable, a Name change affidavit
• For minors- Annexure D

Following are the notarized documents that you need to submit during your Indian passport application in USA. However, for further confirmation, it is advisable to visit the official VFS Global Application Center. Furthermore, you can also take guidance from consultants like Visament. The experts are well-understand the process and provide you with the right information. In addition, they can ease down the whole process for you. Now, let's know about letters of authority.

Letter of Authority

Well, do you know apart from the mentioned documents you need to submit several letters with your application? Yes, you read it right. Depending on the kind of passport service you are applying for you need to provide letters. These are as follows:

• If the expiration time of the passport is less than 6 months then you need to provide a self-explanation letter. It consists of the reason why the passport was not renewed on time.
• If you choose a representative to apply for your passport you need to submit a letter of authority. In addition, the same paper is vital in the case of minors when one of the parents is not present in person.

Well, these are the letters that you may need to submit during your passport application in the USA. As stated above the papers may vary according to the services. Moving ahead, let's know about the additional documents as per the Indian passport services.

Additional Documents as per the Indian Passport Service in the USA

Do you know as per the passport services you applied for you need to submit additional papers along with the mandatory ones? The reason for this may vary. For example, if your passport gets stolen/lost/damaged or need a Tatkal passport then you need to provide extra papers. Moving ahead, let's know about the other reasons with the documents.

These are the additional documents that you need to submit during your Indian passport service. Moving further, now let's know about the process of applying for an Indian passport application in USA.

How to Apply for an Indian Passport Application in USA?

For the Indian passport application in USA, you need to apply online as paper forms are not accepted. Moving ahead following are the steps that you need to follow for the process:

• Visit the official site of VFS Global. On the portal answer all the asked questions. Based on the requirement and category choose the passport service you want.
• According to your chosen service, the site will show you the required documents for the process. In addition, it will also update you with the fees and processing time.
• After that, you need to submit all the mentioned documents as per your passport service with your signature.
• Then complete an application form available at the Government of India site. Here you get a Web Reference Number.
• Get back to the VFS Global site where you already filled out the NRI passport form and continue the leftover process.
• Here along with the passport number and DOB mention the Web Reference Number. The site will match the details that you filled out in the other form.
• Make the payment and submit the application either in person by appointment or by shipping. Also during the process, you get an Application Reference Number (ARN). Through this, you can track your application status online by visiting the VFS site.

This is how you can apply for your Indian passport application in USA. However, it is advisable before applying for the process to gather all the documents. It assists you in avoiding any hassle at the last minute. In addition, reducing any errors or mistakes. With this, let's know the fees for the application services in the USA.

What Is the Fee for an Indian Passport Application in USA?

The Indian passport application fee is inclusive of all taxes and non-refundable. If you are applying for the process offline first check the payment method on the VFS Global Application Center. Generally, only debit or credit cards are accepted there. However, if you are applying through the mail, only banker's checks. money orders or cashier's checks are accepted. By mail, you cannot pay through cash or personal checks. Moving ahead, below is the fee structure along with the passport services. Let's go through it:

Passport Fees for Adults

The following is the Indian passport application fee structure for adults:

Passport Fees for Minors

The following is the Indian passport application fee structure for minors:

This is the fee structure of the Indian passport application services in USA. However, note that Tatkal passport service is not applicable for damaged/lost/stolen passports. It is advisable before applying for the process, to check the fees as per the passport service. Furthermore, if you need guidance it is good to take the help of consultants like Visament. The experts here are friendly with all this process and they can save you from making any mistake. Also with them by your side, you can complete the application on time.

Conclusion

These are the mandatory documents that you need during your Indian passport application in USA. In addition, the blog also contains the process for applying it. This paper checklist will help you in gathering all the documents during the process. However, if you still have some queries feel free to contact Visament. The experts here solve all your doubts in minutes. Also, they provide you with better guidance that helps you in the successful fulfillment of your application. So, if you have any issues regarding your passport or visa services do contact us today and get the best assistance by your side.