If you are stuck in such a situation, here is what to do.

A young adult, Mr. Rohan Sharma, found himself in a complex situation while applying for his first passport in the city of Jodhpur. His primary challenge was the format of his name. In all his official documents, including his Aadhaar card, PAN card, and educational certificates, his name was listed as “Sharma Rohan,” a single entity without a clear distinction between a given name and a surname. He was concerned that entering his name incorrectly on the passport application could lead to significant problems with international travel and visa applications in the future. He was unsure whether to put “Sharma Rohan” in the ‘Given Name’ field and leave the ‘Surname’ field blank, or attempt to split it.

Adding to his predicament was the issue of address proof. Rohan lives with his family in a government-allotted accommodation in Jodhpur, as his father is employed by a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). However, his Aadhaar card still reflected their old permanent address in a village in a neighboring state. All utility bills and the lease agreement for their current residence were in his father’s name. As an adult applicant, Rohan was worried that he lacked direct proof of his current Jodhpur address, a mandatory requirement for the application and the subsequent police verification.

Advice in such cases

Navigating the passport application process can be daunting when faced with discrepancies in personal details. The key is a systematic approach to align your documents and meet the requirements of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

• Standardize Your Name: It is crucial to have a clear given name and surname for international travel. If your documents have a single name, you may face issues. It is advisable to first get an affidavit made by a Notary Public clarifying your given name and surname. Subsequently, you should apply for a name correction in key documents like your Aadhaar and PAN card before applying for the passport.
• Update Your Address: Your current residential address must be verifiable. Update your Aadhaar card with your present address. You can use your father’s documents (like the PSU lease agreement or utility bills) along with a declaration from him and proof of relationship to support your address update request.
• Gather Supporting Documents: For address proof at the PSK, you can use a recent bank statement from a nationalized bank for the last year, showing transactions at your current address. This is a widely accepted document.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

Applicable Sections of Law

The entire process of passport application, issuance, and verification is governed by the Passports Act, 1967, and the Passport Rules, 1980. These laws empower the Passport Issuing Authority to request any document it deems necessary to verify the applicant’s identity, citizenship, and address. Section 6 of the Act outlines the grounds on which a passport application can be refused. Providing incorrect or misleading information can be considered a violation under this Act, potentially leading to penalties or the rejection of the application.

If you are the complainant

In the context of a passport application, you are not a ‘complainant’ in a criminal sense, but rather an ‘applicant’ who might face grievances or rejections. If your application is unfairly delayed or rejected despite providing valid documents, you have a course of action.

• File a Grievance: The first step is to file a formal grievance through the official Passport Seva portal or by visiting the Regional Passport Office (RPO) to meet the concerned officials.
• Appeal to a Higher Authority: If the issue is not resolved at the RPO level, you can file an appeal with the Chief Passport Officer, Ministry of External Affairs, in New Delhi.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

If you are the victim

If you feel you are a victim of procedural red tape or arbitrary decision-making by passport or police officials, it is important to assert your rights calmly and legally.

• Document Everything: Keep a meticulous record of all your applications, documents submitted, receipts, and communication with the authorities. Note down the names of officials you speak to and the dates of your visits.
• Seek Clarity in Writing: If your application is being held up, request the reason in writing from the Passport Seva Kendra or the Regional Passport Office. A written response provides a clear basis for any further action.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

How the police behave in such cases

Police verification is a standard and critical part of the passport issuance process. The police are tasked with verifying two main aspects: your physical presence at the address mentioned in the application and whether you have any adverse criminal records. In a situation like Rohan’s, the police will visit the current address (the government accommodation in Jodhpur). They are not concerned with the permanent address in another state. They will likely ask to see the applicant and speak to neighbors to confirm residency. They will also require a copy of the address proof submitted with the application. The behavior of the police is generally procedural. They follow a checklist and submit a report that is either ‘Clear,’ ‘Not Clear,’ or ‘Adverse.’ A ‘Clear’ report is necessary for the passport to be issued without complications.

FAQs people normally have

What evidence is required?

For a standard passport application, the primary evidence required includes:

• Proof of Date of Birth: Birth Certificate, 10th-grade mark sheet/certificate, Aadhaar Card, or PAN Card.
• Proof of Identity: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Voter ID Card.
• Proof of Present Address: Aadhaar Card (with the correct address), recent utility bills (electricity, water, gas), a registered rent agreement, or a one-year bank statement from a public sector bank. If using parents’ documents, a declaration and proof of relationship may be needed.
• For Name Clarification: A notarized affidavit is essential if there are discrepancies or a non-standard name format across documents.

How long will the investigation take?

The police verification process is time-bound. As per government guidelines, the police are expected to submit their report to the Regional Passport Office within 21 days of receiving the request. However, the actual time can vary depending on the city, the local police station’s workload, and the clarity of the documents provided. For a smooth process, ensure your address is easily accessible and you are available to meet the verification officer when they visit.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India