An Indian passport is normally valid for 10 years from the date of issue. Expiration date is denoted by the term 'Final' or 'F' after the expiration date. e.g., 12.05.2009 (Final) or 12.05.2009 (F). You can not renew the passport more than one year before the expiration date of your current passport.

When a new passport is issued, old passport(s) will be cancelled and returned to the applicant. Valid visas in the old passport are not cancelled and can be used till the expiration date of a given visa.

If you originally received a short validity passport (generally valid for six months or one year), you can apply for an extension of validity of a passport. The total extension period is limited to ten years from the date of issue of the original passport.

If you currently hold a passport that is valid for 20 years, you should apply for a new passport. There is no application fee except for the return mail charges.

While completing an online application, in the 'service desired' field, choose option 'Fresh Passport'.

• Passports
  
  
• Proof of Status
  
  
• Proof of Residence
  
  
• If you are married and wish to include spouse name in the passport, additional documents.
  
  
• Photographs:
  Embassy of India - Washington DC - 3
  Consulate of India - San Francisco - 2
  Consulate of India - Houston - 3
  Consulate of India - New York - 3
  Consulate of India - Chicago - 4
  
  
• If the Indian passport has expired for more than a certain period, you must attach a notarized affidavit.
  • Affidavit for Embassy of India, Washington DC (when expired more than 1 year ago)
    
    
  • Affidavit for Consulate General of India, San Francisco (when expired more than 6 months ago)
    
    
  • Affidavit for Consulate General of India, Houston (when expired more than 1 year ago)
    
    
  • Affidavit for Consulate General of India, Chicago (when expired more than 6 months ago)
    
    
  • Consulate General of India, New York: The declaration at the end of the application form should be notarized if the old passport had expired more than one year ago.
    
    
• Consulate specific documents:
  • Consulate General of India, New York:
    National Status Verification Form