How to Apply for a Passport for a Minor in India: Parental Consent, Documents and Process

Applying for a passport for a minor in India involves a few extra steps compared with an adult passport, mainly because a child cannot give legal consent on their own. A minor is a person below the age of eighteen, and the application has to be supported by the consent of the parents or guardian. This guide explains the step-by-step process on the Passport Seva portal, the consent forms Annexure D and Annexure C, the documents required, and how special situations such as single parents or custody disputes are handled.

Who Is a Minor and Passport Validity

For passport purposes, anyone below eighteen years is treated as a minor. Passports issued to minors are generally valid for five years or until the child turns eighteen, whichever is earlier, although parents can opt for a longer validity in certain cases for older minors on payment of the applicable fee. Because the child cannot legally consent, the role of the parents or guardian is central to the entire application, both in signing the declaration and in providing identity and address proof.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The application begins on the Passport Seva portal. Register for an account, log in, and fill the application form for a fresh passport, selecting the option for a minor. After submitting the form online, pay the fee and book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra. On the appointment day, the parents should accompany the child and carry the original documents along with self-attested copies for verification. Police verification for minors is often handled differently, and in many cases for young children it may not be required in the same way as for adults, depending on the documents and the parents' passport status. The portal-based process mirrors the flow explained in our guide on renewing your passport online through Passport Seva.

Parental Consent: Annexure D and Annexure C

Consent is the heart of a minor passport application. In normal cases, where both parents are available, they jointly sign Annexure D, the standard declaration confirming that the details in the application are correct and that they take responsibility for the minor. Where the consent of one parent cannot be obtained, for reasons such as the absence, desertion or refusal of the other parent, the applying parent submits Annexure C instead. Annexure C is also used where one parent is deceased, accompanied by the death certificate. These declarations must usually be provided in the prescribed format and attested as required, since self-signed or merely notarised versions may not be accepted.

Documents Required

The typical documents for a minor passport include proof of date of birth, such as a birth certificate, and proof of the present address, which can be in the name of a parent. You will also need the parents' passports if they hold them, passport-size photographs as specified, and the relevant consent annexure. If only one parent is applying, or in cases of separation or custody, additional documents such as a court order may be needed. Keeping a clear set of originals and copies ready helps avoid delays at the Passport Seva Kendra. It is also worth checking that the spelling of the child's name and the parents' names is consistent across the birth certificate, school records and the application, since mismatches are a common reason for objections. If the child already holds a passport that has expired, the reissue process is broadly similar, with the old passport submitted along with the application. For the broader legal context on guardianship of children, see our guide on applying for legal guardianship of a minor.

Special Cases: Single Parent, Divorce and Custody

Where parents are divorced or separated, the parent who has custody can apply using Annexure C, and where custody has been granted exclusively to one parent by a court, a certified copy of the court order should be submitted. If one parent is abroad or unreachable, the applying parent can still proceed using the appropriate declaration explaining the circumstances. Custody disputes can complicate the process, and courts take the welfare of the child seriously, as seen in the ruling that the habeas corpus remedy is not appropriate for complex international child custody disputes.

Related Reading

For another commonly needed document for children and families, read our guide on applying for a ration card online in India.

If your family situation involves overseas citizenship, see our explainer on applying for an OCI card.

Key Takeaways

A minor passport application turns on parental consent, given through Annexure D when both parents sign and Annexure C when only one parent can. Apply on the Passport Seva portal, book an appointment, and carry original documents including proof of date of birth and address. In cases of single parenthood, divorce or court-decided custody, keep the relevant declarations and court orders ready to avoid delays.