Setting off on international travel is an exciting prospect, but before voyaging to distant lands, one crucial step stands in the way: passport verification. In India, obtaining a passport involves undergoing a meticulous verification process conducted by the police authorities. This essential procedure ensures the authenticity of applicants' identity and serves as a crucial security measure.
What is Police Verification for Passport in India?
Police verification for a passport in India is a crucial step in the passport application process. After submitting the passport application form and necessary documents to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Passport Office, the applicant's details are forwarded to the respective police department for verification.
During police verification, a police officer visits the applicant's residence to verify the information provided in the application form. The officer may verify the applicant's identity, address, and other details mentioned in the application. Additionally, they may inquire with neighbors or local authorities to confirm the applicant's background and ensure there are no security concerns.
The purpose of police verification is to validate the applicant's identity, ensure they are a law-abiding citizen, and verify that the information provided in the passport application is accurate. It also serves as a security measure to prevent fraudulent passport issuance and misuse.
Once the police verification process is complete and the report is submitted to the passport authorities, the applicant's passport application moves forward in the processing pipeline. Depending on the outcome of the verification and other factors, the passport may be issued to the applicant.
What are the Types of Police Verification in India?
In India, there are primarily two types of police verification conducted for various purposes, including passport issuance, employment background checks, tenant verification, and more. These are:
Pre-Verification:
This type of police verification is conducted before the issuance of documents like passports, visas, or for employment background checks. In the case of passport issuance, pre-verification involves verifying the applicant's identity, address, and other details provided in the application form. The police visit the applicant's residence to verify the information and may also conduct inquiries with neighbors or local authorities to corroborate the details.
Post-Verification:
Post-verification is conducted after the issuance of documents or for ongoing monitoring purposes. For example, in the case of passports, post-verification may be conducted to verify the applicant's current address or to ensure compliance with passport regulations. Similarly, post-verification may be carried out for individuals employed in sensitive or security-related positions to monitor their conduct and adherence to regulations.
Documents Required for Passport Police Verification
Proof of Identity: Documents such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, PAN card, Driving License, or any other government-issued identity card are required to verify the applicant's identity.
Proof of Address: Documents such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, utility bills (electricity, water, gas), rent agreement, or any other document that serves as proof of residence are required to verify the applicant's address.
Passport Application Form: A copy of the passport application form submitted by the applicant is also needed for reference during the verification process.
Passport Size Photographs: Recent passport-size photographs of the applicant may be required for identification purposes.
Additional Documents: Depending on the applicant's circumstances, additional documents such as birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), educational certificates, employment letter, or any other relevant documents may be required for verification.
Online Steps for Passport Police Verification
Initiating police verification for passport purposes can be easily accomplished online, either through the official Passport Seva website or via the passport authority. Here's a breakdown of the online steps involved:
Assignment by Passport Office: Upon submitting your passport application or renewal request, the passport office assigns the task of police verification to your local police station based on the address provided in your application.
Verification by Local Police: Personnel from your local police station are tasked with conducting physical verification to confirm your residency at the mentioned address in your passport application.
Confirmation to Superintendent of Police: Once the local police station completes the verification process, they forward the confirmation to the office of the Superintendent of Police.
Review by Special Branch: The confirmation data is further reviewed by the Special Branch headquarters, which maintains criminal records. They ensure the authenticity of the information provided.
Approval Process: If the Special Branch verifies the data without any issues, they send a clear report to the passport application office, indicating the absence of any adverse findings.
Passport Office Action: Upon receiving the clear report, the passport office proceeds with processing your application further. However, if any issues or discrepancies are identified, the Special Branch submits a report specifying the same to the passport application office.
Appointment at Passport Seva Kendra: Once the verification process is complete, you are required to visit your designated Passport Seva Kendra on the scheduled appointment day. Ensure that you carry all necessary documents required for the police verification of your passport during this visit.
Tracking the Progress of Passport Application
Monitoring the status of your application involves categorizing the verification progress into three distinct phases:
Pending or Incomplete Verification: In cases where the official conducting the verification process encounters difficulties or uncertainties regarding the residential details provided, your application status may be labeled as "Incomplete." This indicates that further action is required to complete the verification process.
Adverse Report Identification: Should the verification process yield a report raising doubts or concerns, your application may receive an "Adverse" designation. This classification signals potential issues that could lead to the withholding or cancellation of your application, necessitating further investigation or resolution.
Confirmation of Clearance: Upon successful completion of the verification process and obtaining approval from the police official, Superintendent of Police (SP), and the Special Branch, your application status transitions to "Clear." This signifies that all aspects of the verification, including criminal records checks, have been thoroughly reviewed and confirmed.
Exceptions to Police Verification Requirement
In certain circumstances, police verification may be waived, although this decision is ultimately at the discretion of the passport office. Here are instances where police verification may not be necessary:
Passport Renewal: Individuals seeking to renew their passports before the expiration date may be exempt from police verification. Instead, they may be required to furnish a No Objection Certificate (NOC) along with evidence of previous police verification.
Government Employees: Government employees applying for a passport and submitting their identification certificate via Annexure B may be spared from undergoing police verification.
Diplomatic Passport Holders: Holders of diplomatic passports are typically exempt from the standard police verification process required for ordinary passport issuance. Instead, they may need to provide their identity certificate using Annexure B.
It's important to note that the final determination regarding the necessity of police verification rests with the passport office. Applicants should consult the specific guidelines provided by the passport office or visit their official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding police verification requirements.