I have shifted to Hyderabad some three years back. When my daughter was born, I was wondering how easy it will be, applying for a new passport in Hyderabad. I googled a lot to know the procedure for applying a new passport for minor. I could not find the complete information. May be my blog will help to those persons in similar situation.
I purchased a passport application form from eSeva counter. After filling it I went directly to Passport office near to Secunderabad Railway station at around 9 am. To my utter dismay, I found that Passport office is not accepting any fresh application form in general category. Either I have to apply online or have to apply at some designated post offices. I immediately tried to file the application online ( June 2008). After saving few details at the passport office, I was supposed to select an appointment date. Again a big surprise, in the date options no date was getting displayed. I continued my effort for getting online appointment date but could not succeed for next seven days, may be there was some website issue. Then I decided to apply for fresh passport at Begumpet Post office. One fine day, I went to Post office with filled up form at 10 am. Again got another shock. The token counter was closed. They informed me that I should come before 9 am to receive the token. Next day I went to post office at 7.30 am. Wow ! around 30-40 people are already in queue. Anyway they started distributing tokens at around 8 am after checking the application form and photograph. When my turn came, they said application form is OK, but they can issue token only when they see my daughter. Oops ! I did not bring my daughter along with me for the simple reason she won't let us stay in one place for more than 2 hours after all she is only 1 year old. I again came back with empty hand. It was not at all possible for me to go to post office along with my daughter and wife and stay there for minimum 5-6 hours to complete the entire procedure including waiting time which starts since 6.30 am. I had no other option but to apply online. I again tried to get an appointment date and after few days I luckily got an appointment of 27 the June at 9 am. I heaved a sigh of relief. Took the printout of the application form. The appointment date and time is printed in the application form itself.
On 27th morning I reached to passport office at 8.45 am along with my wife and daughter. At the gate security people told us that they will allow only one person along with the applicant. Now the choice was either I will go inside or my wife will. I could not let my wife to go inside as she was not full aware of all the supporting documents of application form and I was little hesitant whether my daughter will stay with me for 2-3 hours. Anyway I took a decision and went inside making my wife to wait outside the office. We were made to sit in the waiting hall and after 30-45 minutes we were told to move to counter where the fresh queue was formed. There was good seating arrangement at the counter. I was probably the 10th applicant at the counter. Now my kid started troubling me. She was roaming here and there in search of my wife. Finally the officer at the counter started collecting forms at around 10 am. Luckily I got another seat (3rd from counter) when an accompanying person with the applicant left. Thanks to the couple in the front who understood my problem and offered the 3rd seat. My turn came and officer checked all the documents( The list of documents is available in the application form) and asked me to deposit fee(Rs 600) at the adjoining counter. When I was about to leave the counter, the officer told me that there was no need to bring the minor applicant. I thought if somebody could have told me at the entrance gate, I could have saved my little kid from all the suffering which she had for the last 2 hours. Anyway I was happy that the application form was submitted and came out with feeling of a great achievement. My wife greeted me well and congratulated me for my success after all she only knows how badly I made some futile effort to file the application.
I just entered to my home on 10th July. It must be around 8 PM and got a call from a person saying that he has come for Police verification. I asked him to come to my home. He asked xerox copy of all the documents which we have already submitted along with the form and one photograph. I had no idea that they will again ask for the same set of documents. I searched and luckily I found all. They took the thumb impression again and the verification process was over in 30 min. They took the signatures of our neighbours too.
I checked the online status of the application on 25 the July and saw the message that the passport is ready and will be delivered in a week time and so. Exactly after 7 days the passport was delivered to us.
We were really happy to see the passport in our hand. I must say that Passport office of Hyderabad is really quick in issuing the passport and hassle free if you know the complete procedure. Of course finding the complete procedure is a tough task. One should go through all the instructions and list of documents required for the application carefully.
