Quick answer
Apply on Passport Seva as you would for an adult, choosing a minor's passport. For a baby born on or after 1 October 2023, the municipal birth certificate is the only accepted proof of date of birth. Bring both parents' passports, address proof and Annexure D signed by both parents. The fee is ₹1,750 for a five-year passport, and the child must attend the PSK with a parent.
Key takeaways
- Children under 15 get a passport valid for five years or until they turn 18, whichever comes first; at 15–18 you can choose a 10-year passport.
- For babies born on or after 1 October 2023, only the birth certificate issued by the registrar or municipal body is accepted as proof of date of birth.
- Both parents normally consent through Annexure D; if one parent cannot or will not sign, Annexure C applies and the case takes longer.
- If either parent holds a valid passport with the spouse's name endorsed, the child's passport is issued without police verification.
- The fee is ₹1,750 for a five-year passport (₹4,250 under Tatkal), with a 10% rebate on the basic fee for fresh applications for children aged eight and under.
How long is a child's passport valid?
| Child's age | Passport validity | Normal fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 5 years or until 18, whichever is earlier | ₹1,750 |
| 15 to 18 | Until 18, or a full 10 years if you choose | ₹1,750 until 18; ₹2,500 for 10 years |
For children under 15, leave the validity column in the form blank; the five-year rule applies automatically. A teenager who picks the 10-year passport must show non-ECR proof, usually the Class 10 pass certificate, or the passport will carry an ECR endorsement (see ECR and non-ECR). Fresh applications for children aged eight and under get a 10% rebate on the basic fee.
A newborn's passport therefore expires around the fifth birthday, and you will renew it once or twice before the child turns 18. Our passport renewal guide covers the reissue.
Which documents does a newborn need?
| Document | What to check |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the municipal corporation, showing the child's name, both parents' names, date and place of birth, and registration number and date |
| Parents' passports | Originals plus self-attested copies of the first and last pages; ideally with the spouse's name endorsed |
| Proof of address | The parents' present address: Aadhaar, a recent utility bill, a rent agreement or a parent's passport if the address is current |
| Annexure D | Declaration about the child's particulars, signed by both parents |
For any child born on or after 1 October 2023, the birth certificate is the only accepted proof of date of birth; hospital discharge papers and baptism certificates won't do. If the certificate was issued before you chose a name, the booklet allows a plain-paper declaration signed by both parents giving the name, but adding the name at the municipal office first avoids questions. Older children can also use a school leaving certificate or other listed documents if born before that date.
The child's Aadhaar is useful but not compulsory for a normal application.
What are Annexure D, Annexure C and the others?
The annexures are self-declarations on plain paper. No stamp paper or notary is needed.
- Annexure D: the standard declaration by the parents or guardian about the child's name, date and place of birth and Indian citizenship, signed by both parents with their passport, Aadhaar or voter ID numbers.
- Annexure C: used when one parent has not given consent, for example because they are abroad and unable to sign, separated, untraceable, or because a custody case is pending without an order barring the passport. The applying parent declares sole care of the child.
- Annexure I: a declaration by genetic parents for a child born through surrogacy.
Some older checklists and agents' lists call the parents' declaration Annexure H; the letters have been reshuffled as the forms were revised. Download the formats from the current Passport Seva portal rather than an old PDF.
What if the parents are separated, single or abroad?
- One parent abroad but consenting: both can still sign Annexure D, with the absent parent signing and sending it back, or the present parent uses Annexure C.
- Divorced parents: bring the court order granting custody, plus Annexure D or C.
- Separated but not divorced, or a single parent of a child born outside marriage: Annexure C. Tatkal is not available.
- One parent has died: the death certificate and Annexure D signed by the surviving parent. Tatkal is not available.
- Adopted children: the registered adoption deed or court order. Tatkal is not available.
- Legal guardian: the court order appointing the guardian.
The booklet estimates about 30 days for cases such as a single parent applying for a minor, against a few days for straightforward ones.
How do you apply, step by step?
- Get the birth certificate with the child's name on it.
- If either parent's passport lacks the spouse's name, apply to add it at the same time; Passport Seva says this makes the child's case much faster.
- Fill in the application in the child's name on the Passport Seva portal and enter both parents' passport numbers.
- Pay the fee online and book a slot at a PSK or Post Office PSK.
- Go with the child and at least one parent, ideally both. The PSK takes the child's photo there; very young children are photographed but not fingerprinted.
- Parents must not sign in the child's signature box. A child who can write signs; for babies, PSK staff tell you what to do.
- Track dispatch. With a parent's passport endorsed with the spouse's name, there is no police verification and dispatch is usually within days.
Before the appointment, check that the child's name, date of birth and parents' names match exactly across the birth certificate and both parents' passports. A missing middle name is the most common reason minors' files are sent back.
Travelling on a baby's new passport
- Tickets: book the infant's ticket in the exact name printed on the passport, and add it to the same booking as a parent.
- Visas: every child needs their own visa or e-visa, even where the fee is waived, such as Schengen visas for children under six.
- Expiry: the five-year validity runs out around the fifth birthday. Many countries want six months left on arrival, so a four-and-a-half-year-old's passport may already be too short. Renew it before booking.
- Photo: the passport photo of a newborn looks nothing like a toddler. Immigration officers are used to this, but carry the birth certificate for extra comfort.
Tatkal for minors
A minor can get a Tatkal passport for ₹4,250 with any two documents from a short list: Aadhaar, student ID, birth certificate, ration card, PAN card or a previous passport. Several family situations listed above are excluded; see our Tatkal guide. Once the passport arrives, read our guide on minors travelling with one parent before booking visas.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a passport for a newborn baby in India?
Is the birth certificate mandatory for a child's passport?
Do both parents need to go to the PSK?
What is Annexure D for a passport?
How long does a minor's passport take?
What happens when my child turns 18?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
