How to Renew Indian Passport in USA

THIS ARTICLE IS NO MORE VALID FROM April 22, 2016 FOR POSTAL APPLICATIONS May 9, 2016 FOR ALL OTHER APPLICATIONS.

Note: As per the latest information posted on BLS website, they are no more accepting the application for passport renewal:

See below:

BLS will stop operating Indian Passport Application Centers in the U.S. from 6th May 2016, close of business hour.

With effect from 9 May 2016 (Monday), Consulate General of India, Chicago will accept passport applications through the new India Passport Application Centre (IPAC) in Chicago, which will be operated by M/s Cox and Kings Global Services. A service fee of US$ 19.95 (inclusive of all taxes) per application will be charged at the IPAC in addition to applicable passport fees. 

Email: passportusa@ckgs.com*
Website: www.passport.in.ckgs.us*
* CKGS telephone, email and website will be operational with effect from 2 May 2016 (Monday). [Confirmation awaited from CKGS on date]
  
 So you are in US on work VISA or other VISA and your passport is going to be expired soon. You need to get it renewed. Well, not a hard job, if you follow the process exactly below. The procedure mentioned here is assuming that passport is being applied through postal, not in person. I would like you to read the complete post at least first, so that you can have an overall idea and then go step by step. I have formatted the post in form of questions and answers which made it easy to understand and help resolve your general queries.

Once you go through the post and start your process, mark my words, renewing your Indian Passport in USA will be very easy.

So, let’s start with some questions and answers….

Q. Can you apply yourself with Embassy (like you do in India?)

A. No, you cannot apply yourself directly. You have to use the services of BLS International. They are the only authorized third party by the Consulate to process the passport application. Here is their website: http://www.blsindia-usa.com/

Q. What does it imply?

A. It means you have to pay some additional fees to BLS for processing your application. But mark my words, that fee is very nominal ($13.20). I am still surprised that they are charging very little amount processing your passport application. Anyway, this is good for the applicant.

Q. What is the very first thing you need to know?

A. You need to know your “Mission”. Confused? Yes, at some places they have used this word. But to simplify it, this means your jurisdiction, where your passport will be applied. This can be Consulate in New York, Washington, Houston or somewhere else. You need this information while filling the online form. This jurisdiction or Mission depends on the state where you are residing in US. For example, applicant residing in Pennsylvania needs to select “New York”. So where will you get this information from? Here is the link:

http://www.passport.blsindia-usa.com/forms/Jurisdiction.pdf

Q. What is the fee, you have to pay?

A. Well, depends on the case, whether the applicant is adult or minor OR whether you are applying in Normal or Tatkal etc. You can see all the details here.

http://www.blsindia-usa.com/passport/passportFee.php

You have to issue a draft or Money order for the amount mentioned in total fee.

Q. Which category, I am applying for?

A. Check here: http://www.passport.blsindia-usa.com/pptchecklist/BLSUSPassportChecklist.pdf

Q. What is the processing time?

A. It depends on your jurisdiction consulate, but generally they are very fast. I got mine before two weeks. But here is the processing time.

http://www.passport.blsindia-usa.com/forms/Processing_Time.pdf

Q. How many forms you have to fill?

A. You have to fill; two online forms a) Passport Application Form b) BLS Order Form.

Passport application form is obvious. BLS Order Form is for BLS, which mentions your Money Order or Demand Draft Details and other details required by BLS.

Filling the online form is not sufficient, you have to print these forms and send it with the required documents to BLS.

Q. What is required in Original?

A. All old passports, all means all.

Q. Address to be printed on the passport?

A. This is a big confusion for everyone. Nothing is mentioned about this on BLS website. Some people want to get their US address on Passport and some want the Indian address. So…. Well, I did a lot of research on that. If you email them (BLS), they may mention, that only US address will be printed, but that is not true. Any address can be printed on the passport, but you must have the proper address proof. To print the Indian Address, Utility Bills, Voter ID and Aadhaar Card work well.

The only thing to be taken care is , there are two colums in the form, Address” and “Other Address. If you want your Indian address to be printed, put it in “Address” column and US address in “Other Address” or VICE Versa.

Q. If you have any query?

A. Well you can contact BLS over the email (dc@blsgroup.in) or over the phone (+18459990726).

But here comes the real problem. Never rely on the reply over the email. They mentioned to me that my Indian Address cannot be printed on Passport. Moreover they told me that I need a Marriage Certificate even my wife’s name is already endorsed on my passport.

Yes, you need a marriage certificate, if your spouse name in not already on your passport and you want to get it endorsed. If it is already there, you don’t need it.

Then, how to get rid of all the confusions?

Call them???? But again here is a catch. I have seen lot of people complaining that there is no response on the phone. They might be right. But here patience is the key. You may need to hold the line sometimes for 10-15 minutes, but they reply the phone and they advise you well. So, if you have some patience and you talk to these guys, they will advise you and you will be good. So better call them for any questions.

Q. Is there any checklist?

A. Yes, you can find here:

http://www.passport.blsindia-usa.com/pptchecklist/BLSUSPassportChecklist.pdf

Q. Is there any loose photo required?

A. No, photos are required only on corresponding forms. Photos should be strictly of 2x2. Go to Walmart’s Photo Center, CVS Pharmacy etc. Ask them to do a passport photo.  Generally 4 photos are required. 3 photographs for three copies of Nationality Verification Form and 1 for Application Form.

Q. Confusion about the appointment?

A. BLS Website mentioned that “Complete the BLS Order Form and take the appointment.” This appointment is not necessary, if you applying by post. Only necessary for applying in person. But still you have to go through BLS.

Q. What documents are to be notarized?

A. Well, it again depends on the case, for example, if there is any change in appearance or some other special case. In a normal case, at least you need three documents to be notorized.

a) National Verification Form (3 Copies)

b) Address Proof (Both Indian and US)

c) Colored photocopy as proof of valid visa on passport or Green Card or Employment Authorization Card (front and back copy) or I-797 Valid Approval Notice or Approval I- 485 for children or Valid I-20 for student visa.

Q. What is the shipping process?

A. To make the things easy, better call the customer care number given above. Have patience, it may take 10-15 minutes to get an executive online. Tell them that you want to send the documents. They will ask for your Credit/Debit Card details (don’t worry it is safe). Give them, they will generate a USPS shipping label for you and email it to you. You can use this label. They will charge around $30 for both side shipping. Then you have to put all the documents in envelope and send. Since you have already paid for return shipping, you need not to worry about anything.

Q. How to fill the application form.

A. You have to fill the application form online. When it is filled, you have to generate a .pdf and download it. You will find that still there is information to be filled. Fill the rest of the information and then only the form will be completed. If you need to know how, download this sample:

http://www.blsindia-usa.com/passport/sample_form/application_example_file.pdf

Go through this form very carefully, what they have marked. For example while putting the information about the fees, you do not have to consider BLS fee.  It is clearly marked in sample. So please go through this sample two times.

Q. What is the sorting order of the documents?

 A.

• 1 Online Application Form.



• 2 BLS Order Form



• 3 National Verification Form as per your category



• 4 Passport copies first five and last two pages



• 5 Notarized valid visa copies.



• 6 One notarized valid address proof as per your jurisdiction.



• 7 Notarized marriage certificate and notarized first and last page of spouse valid passport if applicable



• 8 Notarized change of appearance affidavit if applicable.



• 9 Notarized self-explanation letter why the passport is not renewed on time if applicable



• 10 Notarized lost, Damaged and Passport expired for more than 6 months if applicable



• 11 Notarized Deed Poll affidavit if applicable.



• 12 Notarized Name Changed Affidavit if applicable



• 13 Notarized No Status affidavit if applicable



• 14 Any other additional document as per your category.

Note: Documents 1-6 are mandatory. Rest depends on the specific case. There is specific sorting order for minors. You can find everything here:

http://www.passport.blsindia-usa.com/forms/sorting_order.pdf

But do not worry, even if you sorting is not in order, BLS will manage. This is just mentioned to save some time and smooth processing.

 How to proceed now?

1. Select the Jurisdiction according to your address proof (I have mentioned it earlier)
   
   Identify the passport category. (You should know, in which category you are applying for)
   
   Check the processing time
   
   Complete the Online Application Form. (Fill online, download, print, fill rest of the information)
   
   Complete the BLS Order Form and take the appointment. (Fill online and take print. Appointment is only necessary, if you are applying in person. Still you have to go through BLS, I have already mentioned earlier. )
   
   Print all the required forms. Download the checklist according to your category and confirm you have completed everything.
   
   Sign wherever applicable.
   
   Check the sorting order. Sort the documents in the order.

            Sign wherever applicable. Put all the documents in the envelope and glue the shipping label           provided by BLS (How to get the shipping lable, I have explained earlier).

         Ship the documents and wait for your passport. It should reach you within two weeks.

I have put my efforts to make the things easy. Hope, it will help you to get rid of all the confusions you have and will be able to renew your Indian Passport in United States.