Damaged Indian Passport: Important Things To Know (2023)

Damaged Indian Passport

The NRI Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 22 October 2023.

Your passport is your key to exploring the world, a document of paramount importance. However, there are times when unforeseen circumstances or simply the wear and tear of constant use can lead to a damaged Indian passport.

When such a crucial travel document becomes impaired, it can raise questions about its validity and your ability to travel freely. In this article, we will discuss how you can deal with a damaged Indian passport, understand the types of damage, and the necessary steps to rectify the situation, ensuring that your passport remains a reliable companion for your journeys.

We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about lost and damaged Indian Passports.

Definition of Damaged Indian Passport

A Damaged Indian Passport is classified further based on the extent of damage, i.e.:

  • Damaged Passport: Passport number is readable, the name is legible, and the photo is intact
  • Damaged beyond recognition

How To Travel Urgently If Passport Is Damaged

As long as your passport is not damaged beyond recognition, that is, if you can read the passport number, the name, and the photo are all legible, you can apply for a reissue under the Tatkaal scheme.

The Tatkaal scheme cannot be applied to a passport that has been severely damaged. In that case, you must attend the Passport Seva Kendra nearest to your home to obtain the passport on an urgent basis.

How To Travel Urgently If Passport Is Lost

In case you have lost your passport while travelling, you can come to India on the basis of an “Emergency Certificate”. You will need to contact the respective mission or consulate of that country for the issuance of that certificate.

What To Do If Indian Passport Is Lost Abroad

If you are abroad and you lose your passport, report it to the nearest police station and the Passport Office. Also, you should apply for a re-issue at a Passport Seva Kendra with the proper documents and submit your passport application form.

Procedure To Apply For Duplicate Passport

If your passport has been lost or damaged, you need to apply for a “Re-issue” of the passport.

The following documents must be submitted along with the application:

  • Proof of Present Address
  • Proof of Date of Birth
  • Affidavit stating how and where the passport got lost/damaged (Annexure ‘L’)
  • Police report in the original
  • Self-attested photocopy of the first two and last two pages, including the ECR or non-ECR page of the old passport, if available.

A photocopy of the old passport is not a mandatory document to be submitted in case of a lost, damaged, or stolen passport. It should be produced if it is available.

But you will be required to produce, the previous passport details like Passport number, Date of issue, Date of expiry and place of issue while filling the passport application form. If you do not have that information, then contact the respective mission/post of that country.


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References: Passport Seva


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  1. Devanjali Sikdar

    If the first 2 pages with all the relevant information is not damaged , does the passport need to be reissued for visa application?

  2. I applied visa in Qatar,my passport is damage,than I applied passport and is came, but passport nunber is different, any problem for visa processing.

  3. I applied visa in Qatar,my passport is damage,than I applied passport and is came, but passport nunber is different, any problem for visa processing.

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