Indian Passport

I renewed my passport from the SFO consulate for the split name. timelines below: Happy to answer

17-Apr-2021: Courier service: Application Sent via FedEx
20-Apr-2021: Courier service: Delivered to VFS
21-Apr-2021: VFS: Confirmed application received and request for AFFIDAVIT FOR CHANGE IN NAME IS REQUIRED TO SPLIT NAME.
23-Apr-2021: Courier service: Sent Affidavit
25-Apr-2021: VFS: Your application is received. You will receive an update once it is processed at VFS.
26-Apr-2021: VFS: We have ‘Received’ your Application and your application is now ‘Under Process’ at San Francisco and will be submitted to the Mission for decision
27-Apr-2021: VFS: Your Application has been ‘Processed’ at the VFS India Consular application Centre and currently is ‘In-Transit‘ to the Embassy of India/Consulate General of India for decision making.
5-May-2021: VFS: “Please be informed that your application has been reviewed by the Consulate. The Consulate requires an additional documents to make a decision on your application.“

/* Mail exchange between me, VFS, and Consulate */

10-May-2021: VSF: We will resubmit the application to the Consulate.
12-May-2021: SFO: Passport has been printed
12-May-2021: SFO: Initiation of Police Verification Request
12-May-2021: SFO: Passport is printed and will be delivered shortly.

14-May-2021: VFS: Your document (s) is dispatched using the return label purchased or sent by you.
14-May-2021: Courier service: Picked
17-May-2021: Courier service: Old and new passport delivered.

I recently got my passport renewed at CGI Houston, the processing time was three weeks. I dispatched my documents on April 15, and the renewed passport was delivered to me on May 6.

My two cents: The government agencies are quite efficient and prompt in processing the passport application, as long as your paperwork is in order.

Few pointers:
1. My existing passport was as also issued in the USA (NYC). I understand no new police verification was initiated.

2. The VFS checklist mentioned the self-sworn certificate as a requirement for minors only, so I did not include it in my document packet. Later, I saw the posts on this website and called up VFS to get clarity. Apparently, it is needed for adults too, but the checklist mentions otherwise. By the time I called up VFS, my application was already sent to the consulate. So the VFS rep said there won't be any problem.

3. The printed passport application form did not include all the details that I entered online, it made me really anxious because the printout was missing the zip code of my current US address. I was totally worried that I screwed up. But, I presumed they will verify the address with the address proof (electricity bill).

4. The VFS customer care executives are totally clueless and each time you call them, they will give you a new answer. I selected the "English" language option. To my dismay, the executives' English was quite pathetic.

Recent application for renewal of my passport was rejected for a simple reason of my husbands name mismatch. Before mailing the documents I called the VFS help desk and paid $2.50 cts for the call and the representative told me to put a cover letter about the husband name mismatch. I provided the cover letter and also mentioned that my husband name is actually corrected on other page of passport. However the VFS scientists didn't bother to check cover letter or the passport and sent a mail saying the passport is rejected due to mismatch of husband name. They mentioned in the mail 21 day rejection. Interesting thing is in the 21 days they didn't contact me or send any mail about the so called issue and simple returned my application of 21 days. I wonder what kind of people are working at the VFS and how government of India/consulate is keeping quiet on this inefficiency of VFS. Lost 21 days , I have to send the application again don't know atleast this time they will properly check the cover letter. God Help India. Result of Reservations & Corruption.

i got PCC automated email; in my case lady from town police went to verify at my home but, we all are in USA. i talked with her on phone our neighbor make call to me. it was high time of covid in April 2021. i must say lady was to rude. unfortunately i can't make with her she left by saying someone need to come and submit.

 so its strange why they looking for PCC when you applied from NY USA residences. but any way same day........ my status on
 
Passport seva site : Passport has been handed over by the Embassy/Consulate to the OSP executive for further dispatch to the applicant.
And an hour later on VFS site

VFS Site:

 Your document (s) is dispatched using the return label purchased or sent by you. If using VFS courier, please check for email from "[email protected]" for details.If you have used your prepaid label then track the status via the website of the concerned service provider.Note: Information is printed on the documents as what you have filled while completing the online Form on the Government Portal. If you have made mistakes while filling up the Govt. form then VFS Indian Consular application Centres wont be in a position to assist. To get the corrections done, you should contact the Embassy of India or its Consulate directly based on your Consular Jurisdiction.

Hope i'll receive it soon.

i would advise if your passport is near to expire date and year ahead or early you visiting INDIA just make it done that time it's cheaper and very quick (took 5 days for my parents to renew, cost 3000.00 rupees for 2 passport ) with agent in (TATKAL SEVA for passport)

I need urgent help. please share your experience as well.

Indian Passport has - First Name Robin Kumar
                                      Surname - <BLANK>

So I applied passport renwal to split the name so that will helpful for another document in the USA as the last name compulsory here.

I submitted - Voter ID, DL, Pan Card, and educational documents as all are having "ROBIN KUMAR" without mentioned specific "FIRST or LAST NAME".

They hold the application with the following replay:

Please provide a document that shows split name. If you cannot provide the documents, you are strongly advised to restore the name arrangement as in the Indian Passport (Given Names: Robin Kumar; Surname:______) by providing a consent letter authorizing the Consulate to restore the old arrangement.

Please advise..

Hi all,

My passport is up for renewal and I am thinking of changing my surname on my passport from maiden name to my husband's last name.
Does anyone know how tough is this process?

My name on all the documents is according to my maiden name; including my H1 and license etc.
Also my GG process has also begun.

Is changing surname easy? How many months does the process take? And what all documents do you need to update with changed surname?
For passport name change, what all supporting documents do you need?

Thank you

------------------------------------------- FedEx -------------------------------------------

22-Feb-2021 (Day 1 - 12:20 PM) - Application/package dropped off at FedEx

23-Feb-2021 (Day 2 - 08.42 AM) - FedEx delivered package at VFS Center

-------------------------------------------- VFS --------------------------------------------

24-Feb-2021 (Day 3 - 01:12 AM) - Email & Text Msg: Package has been received at the VFS application Centre

05-Mar-2021 (Day 12 - 10:01 AM) - Email: ‘Received’ your Application and your application is now ‘Under Process’

05-Mar-2021 (Day 12 - 04:38 PM) - Email & Text Msg: Application has been ‘Processed’ at the VFS and currently is ‘In-Transit‘ to the Embassy of India/Consulate General of India

08-Mar-2021 (Day 15 - 09:10 AM) - Checked on Website: Your application has reached at the Embassy/Consulate and is currently under process

---------------------------------------- Govt. Portal ---------------------------------------

08-Mar-2021 (Day 15 - 09:10 AM) - Checked on Website: Passport application along with fee details have been received. The same is under processing at the Embassy/Consulate.

12-Mar-2021 (Day 19 - 03:10 PM) - Checked on Website: Passport application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate. (File number also got generated)

23-Mar-2021 (Day 30 - 09:42 PM) - Email received: Initiation of Police Verification

28-Mar-2021 (Day 35 - 02:30 AM) - Indian Contact received Phone call from Police Station to come over to station with documents

31-Mar-2021 (Day 38 - 07:30 AM) - Checked on Website: Print has been initiated for passport.

06-Apr-2021 (Day 44 - 12:30 PM) - Checked on Website: Passport has been printed

07-Apr-2021 (Day 45 - 10:10 AM) - Checked on Website: Passport application is under review at Indian Embassy/Consulate.

11-Apr-2021 (Day 49 - 09:30 PM) - Checked on Website: Passport has been printed

12-Apr-2021 (Day 50 - 07:30 AM) - Checked on Website: Passport is printed and will be delivered shortly.

13-Apr-2021 (Day 51 - 05:00 AM) - Passport printed and being forwarded to Embassy/Consulate for dispatch

-------------------------------------------- VFS --------------------------------------------

26-Apr-2021 (Day 64 - 10:37 AM) - Received Email & Text Msg: Dear Applicant, Your Application has been reviewed by the Embassy of India/ Consulate General of India & will be dispatched using the courier service you had opted.

26-Apr-2021 (Day 64 - 06:35 PM) - Received Email & Text Msg: Dear Applicant, Your document (s) is dispatched using the return label purchased or sent by you. If using VFS courier, please check for email from "[email protected]" for details.

------------------------------------------- FedEx -------------------------------------------

26-Apr-2021 (Day 64 - 01:53 PM) - Received Email from [email protected]: Tracking number and shipment information along with scheduled delivery time. I could see same details on my Fedex Account

26-Apr-2021 (Day 64 - 04:46 PM) - Received Email from [email protected]: Passport Picked-up

27-Apr-2021 (Day 65 - 08:19 AM) - Received Email from [email protected]: Out for Delivery Today by 08:00 PM

27-Apr-2021 (Day 65 - 12:22 PM) - Both old and new passports Delivered

Total cost 309 (Jumbo + Tatkal) + 27(resend photo) + 14 (VFS phone service) = ~350$

4/02 Submit document to Fedex
4/05 Documents reached VFS in the morning
4/06 Morning - VFS website update documents received
4/06 Afternoon - VFS website - photo background is not white (was little bluish), need to retake picture
4/06 Evening - Retake photo and Submit document to Fedex
4/09 Morning - Document reached VFS
4/12 No update in VFS. Call then, was advised till 72 hours to wait before update
4/15 No update in VFS. Called again. Operator said he will expedite
4/16 Evening - VFS website update - reviewed documents and submitted to Mission
4/16 Evening - Embassy update - application received
4/22 Noon - Print is initiated
4/22 Afternoon - Police verification request sent
4/23 Passport print is done and will be delivered shortly
4/26 Noon - VFS update - application has received and will be dispatched
4/27 Afternoon - Fedex update - document has been picked up
4/28 Noon - Passport received

Nothing happened about police verification. Hope this helps.

It took a month and a half from the date of receipt to have the status uploaded on the site.
That means that you keep on checking everyday and get a screen that does not even tell you if it is working. Nothing that states status not updated.
No email was sent on missing information
If you try to call them want you Credit Card Information and charge you $2 for every minute beyond five minutes. You have paid for your passport service
Despite sending all the documentation they still say that the document is missing. How do you make some look at a document when it is clearly there (I have the copies and checked and rechecked because I knew this would be a nightmare)
That means one has to send it again by courier.
I can only hope and pray.

I submitted my Son's (16 year) passport renewal application to NY VFS center for 10 years. It was different experience this time due to COVID-19 and also additional police verification process, which I never experienced before.

I prepared the application and sent via FEDEX on : 3/24/21

Application Delivered to VFS : 3/29/21 (Because their office was closed between 3/25/21 to 3/28/21 due to COVID)

Package has been received by VFS email on : 3/30/21 (no update between 3/26 - 3/30)

Another email saying - Package has been received by VFS on : 4/4/21

We have ‘Received’ your Application and your application is now ‘Under Process’ at New York and will be submitted to the Mission for decision making - email on : 4/7/21

Your Application has been ‘Processed’ at the VFS India Consular application Centre and currently is ‘In-Transit‘ to the Embassy of India/Consulate General of India for decision making - email on: 4/10/21

Initiation of Police Verification Request(s) for your Passport Application File (No. YYYY XX) - email on : 4/21/21

Received call from local police station in India on 4/22/21 around 1.35 AM EST on my India cell number, didn't pick up as I was snoozing

My Nephew received a call from same police man to do the inquiry (as police man knew my nephew) on 4/22/21 around same time

Police verification happened at my village on 4/23/21 (at my brother's house, we still use that address for any Indian correspondence, It's also on my Son's Aadhar card. I already sent my Son's birth certificate, Aadhar card, Passport copy and a Picture to my nephew)

Police man called my nephew again on 4/24/21 to send a copy of passport application ( I sent to my nephew and he fwd to police station)

Your Application has been reviewed by the Embassy of India/ Consulate General of India & will be dispatched - email on : 4/27/21 around 11.00 am EST

Your document (s) is dispatched using the return label purchased or sent by you. If using VFS courier, please check for email from "[email protected]" for details - email on : 4/27/21 around 1.30 pm EST

Currently FEDEX shows delivery on : 4/28/21 by 8 pm EST

Hope this information is helpful!