How To Get Diplomatic Passports in India

In India, diplomatic passports are issued to individuals with diplomatic status or those traveling abroad on official duty for the Indian Government. The diplomatic passport holders receive a 'Type D' passport which has a maroon cover.

Eligibility for Diplomatic Passport In India

The following categories of officials are eligible for an Indian Diplomatic Passport

1. a) The officers of the Indian Foreign Services (Branch A) while they travel abroad on official business.
   
   b) Selected officers of Indian Foreign Services (Branch B), selected officers of the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) and of other Ministries traveling abroad on official business as determined by the Foreign Services Board of the MEA.
   
   c) Spouse/Official Hostess/Dependent children/Dependent Parents of an official in categories (a) and (b) mentioned above, while traveling abroad with the concerned official, provided that the Ministry recognizes their dependent status.
   
   NOTE: Family members mentioned above may also get a diplomatic passport for education or other purposes in a foreign country other than the one where the official is currently assigned to. However, such passports are to be surrendered when the concerned official's assignment is terminated or when the official is posted back to the headquarters.

2. a) Individuals may be granted a diplomatic status due to his position or the nature of the foreign mission and thus issued a diplomatic passport by the Indian Government.
   
   b) Spouse of such an official as defined in (a) above.

Documents Required For Diplomatic Passport India

An individual who satisfies the eligibility criteria as mentioned above and is also approved by the Central Government of India for a diplomatic passport must submit the following:

• Form P-1.

• Form P-1(A).

• 2 photographs with white background, pasted on 1st and 2nd pages and attested across by head of the office.

• Political/PMO clearance.

• Copy of ID of the applicant.

• Safe Custody Certificate in case the individual's ordinary passport is kept in the safe custody of the applicant's department.

• Existing Official/diplomatic passport (if any) in the original.

• If a prior official/diplomatic passport has already been canceled under section PV-II, then the cancellation certificate in original.

Application Procedure For Fresh Ordinary (P) Passport

A diplomatic passport holder may want to apply for an ordinary passport while he/she is in service. The following supporting documents need to be furnished for the same (listed as per document number):

Doc. no. 1 (address proof)

• Present address proof (may include: water bill, telephone bill, electricity bill, income tax assessment order, statement of an active bank account of scheduled banks, election commission ID card, employer certificate from well-known companies issued on letterhead, gas connection bill.

• Copy of the spouse's passport (1st and last page), in case the applicant's current address is the same as listed in the spouse's passport.

• Copy of parent's passport (for minors).

Doc. no. 2 (birth proof)

• Applicants born on or after the 26th of Jan 1989 must submit the birth certificate (issued by a municipal authority or the registrar of births and deaths). The birth certificate must contain the applicant's name, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names, gender, registration number, and date. If the certificate lacks the name, then a declaration signed by the parents on a plain paper has to be submitted.

• School leaving certificate from recognized boards and schools.

• An affidavit before a notary or magistrate, mentioning the date and place of birth in the specified format as per Annexure A (for illiterate or semi-illiterate applicants with education less than 5th class).

Doc. no. 11

• Proof of surrender/cancellation of the diplomatic passport.

• Doc. no. 12 (if the surrender certificate is unavailable)

• The canceled passport with a letter, explaining the reason why the surrender certificate is unavailable.

• In case the applicant is an employee of a Government body, public sector body or a statutory body, the following documents have to be submitted (as per document number):

Doc. no. 45

• Identity Certificate as per Annexure B. (in original)

Doc. no. 22

• NOC (No Objection Certificate) as per Annexure M.

Note: If the applicant submits document 12, then document 2 is not required.

Penalties: The penalty for stifling information on previously-held diplomatic or official passport while applying for an ordinary new passport is Rs.500.

Issuance and Re-issuance of Official/Diplomatic passport

An applicant must fill up the online form online to avail an Official or Diplomatic passport. Generally, the applications for official/ diplomatic passports are only processed at the CPV division (Consular, Passport, and Visa) which is situated in Patiala House, New Delhi. An applicant may also approach the passport office associated with his/her current residential address. The applicant must submit all the required documents along with the application form.

• Proof of the existing ordinary passport or a certificate proving its safe custody at the office.

• Existing official/diplomatic passport should be submitted in original for cancellation. A safe custody certificate must be produced in case the MEA retains the original diplomatic passport. Cancellation certificate is to be submitted if the MEA has canceled the original diplomatic passport.

• Photocopy of the applicant's official ID card.

• A copy of the certificate issued by the Head Office in the specific format as enclosed within the application form for new Diplomatic/Official Passport.

• The official request from the Forwarding Officer in the specific format as enclosed in the Official/Diplomatic passport application form(availed on the web portal of passport services). The applicant must also provide the PMO or the Political Clearance Certificate, if applicable.