Latest Info about Passport: Birth-Certificate is Unessential

Birth certificate is no more a mandatory document for getting passport. In context of relieving people from walking through hassles, the government of India has revised old rules. The days have gone when its seekers had to rush to the Passport Sewa Kendra (PSK) with their birth proof. This amendment is applicable on those who are born on and after 26th January 1989.

Alternative Documents: As foretold certificate of birth is unessential for getting passport, the government has revised its old policy & announced some substitute documents. The following docs would be valid and acceptable at PSK as an alternative:

• Transfer/School Leaving/ Matriculation Certificate issued by the government recognized school.

• PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department that reads the applicant’s DoB.

• Aadhar Card/ E-Aadhaar Card.

• Pay Pension Order (for retired government officer), duly attested certificate of the Administration of the concerned Ministry/Department which reads DoB.

• Driving licence

• Election Photo Identity Card

• Life Insurance Corporations/ Company Policy Bond

All the foretold certificates must read the Date of Birth (DoB) of the applicant.

Apart from these docs, there are some more barriers that the applicants encounter. The Inter Ministerial Committee has introduced some more leniencies for the orphans, adopted applicants and married/ divorcee/ separated spouses. Check out these below:

• Now, the name of single parent, i.e. father or mother or any legal guardian, is acceptable instead of both.

• The Passport Rule 1980 has been revised. According to it, only 9 Annexes (forms enclosed) will be required instead of 15. Some annexes have been removed while some have been merged. The removed annexes are A, C, D, E, J and K.

• Now, the applicant would use plain paper for self-declaration. The annexes on plain paper would not require document-attestation or notarized by Executive Magistrate/First Class Judicial Magistrate.

• Wedded couple would not present marriage certificate or fill the Annexure K.

• Separated or divorced couple need not mention the name of the spouse. And also, they need not produce Divorce Decree. Bachelors do get Certificate of No Marriage for proving their singlehood. It would be mandatory for submission.

• Orphan applicants need to present a declaration. This declaration must read the DoB of the orphan. Without attestation of the Head of the Orphanage / Child Care Home, it would be rejected.

• If the applicant is an adopted child, he/she should submit the Annexure G with the passport application.

• If the applicant is adopted domestically, the registration deed would not be required. Rather, such applicant can declare it on the plain paper.

• Government officials who want to get their passport on urgent basis and have no ‘No Objection Certificate’ as well as the Identity Certificate, they can submit Annexure –N. It would be recognized as a self-declaration stating that the employer has prior acknowledgement of it.

• Sadhus/ Sanyasi (sages) can mention their guru’s name instead of mentioning their biological parents. Besides, they can provide one out of Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC), PAN card, and Adhaar card which must read the same (guru’s) name.