With summer vacation approaching, if you’re planning a trip to Disneyland or an international destination for your child to enjoy, you probably already have a passport ready for them. If you’re in the process of getting one, there’s an important update about passports that you should know. The central government recently announced a change in the passport application rules. According to the new guidelines, for children born on or after October 1, 2023, a birth certificate will now be the sole valid document needed to prove their date of birth. This passport update was shared last week and will take effect once it is published in the official Gazette.
Moving forward, only birth certificates issued by appointed authorities will be accepted as proof of birth. Acceptable authorities include the Registrar of Births and Deaths, Municipal Corporations, and any other organizations recognized under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1969.
Passport Update Only Applicable To Those Born On Or After October 1, 2023
For those born before this date, the previous guidelines remain in effect. Such applicants can utilize alternative documents to verify their identity, including:
– School leaving certificates
– Transfer certificates from recognized educational institutions
– Matriculation certificates
– PAN cards provided by the Income Tax Department
– Driving licenses
– Service record extracts
This approach offers more flexibility and aids applicants who lack a birth certificate.
Removal Of Residential Address From The Passport’s Last Page Announced
In addition to the birth certificate updates, the government has rolled out significant improvements to passport security features and formatting. A key change involves removing the residential address from the passport’s last page, replacing it with a scannable barcode. Immigration officials can access this essential information when required, thereby minimizing the risk of misuse of personal data.
Lastly, a new passport color-coding system has also been introduced. White passports will be for government officials, red ones for diplomats, and blue ones for ordinary citizens. Furthermore, modifications have been made concerning the display of parental names. The last page of passports will no longer include parental information, which particularly benefits applicants from single-parent or separated families by maintaining their privacy.
To address the increasing demand for passport services, the government plans to expand the number of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras. The number will go up from 442 to 600 over the next five years, enhancing accessibility for citizens across India.
