Apply for Diplomatic/Official Passport

Documents Required for Passport

Document Required for Diplomatic/Official Passport

Please submit one copy of the following documents:-

Sr. No.	Document(s)
1	Applicant Official Identity (ID) Card (or that of the Head of Office)
2	Certificate issued by the Head of Office.To download the certificate format click here.
3	Official Request Letter from Forwarding Officer. To download the Request Letter format click here.
4	Political/PMO Clearance Certificate, if applicable
5	For Existing Passport (if any): Diplomatic/Official Passport (i.e. in Re-Issue applications): Original Diplomatic/Official Passport for cancellation. If the same is kept in the safe custody of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), bring the original Surrender/Safe Custody Certificate. If the same has been cancelled by MEA, bring the Original Cancellation Certificate. Ordinary Passport: Certificate of Safe Custody (in applicants department). (Non-disclosure of already held passport(s) is an offence under Passports Act, 1967) Official retiring in less than six months from the date of application, is required to give an undertaking from his/ her office that he/ she will surrender Diplomatic/Official passport to his/ her office immediately after return.

Note-

The documents should be placed in the following order:

Printed copy of online filled application form
Political/PMO Clearance
Copy of Identity (ID) Card
Certificate from Head of Office
Request from Forwarding Officer
Other Relevant Documents

How to Apply?

A guide with you on how to apply for Diplomatic/Official Passport Passport. The process to apply for a Passport can seem daunting, but it's actually quite straightforward. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Click "Apply for Diplomatic/Official Passport" link.

Fill in the required details in the form and submit.

After submission of the application, you must start the payment & schedule appointment process by clicking on View > Pay and Schedule Appointment button
Prior payment of applicable Passport service fee has been made mandatory for booking appointments in all Passport Seva Kendras

Use Schedule/Reschedule Appointment link to schedule/reschedule an appointment (if payment is already made or an appointment is already scheduled)

Select Online Payment option, Select the ‘Appointment Quota’ (Normal/Tatkaal). Tatkaal option is available only to the applicants with Tatkaal application. Select the preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) for appointment booking. System will display the next available appointment date for the selected PSK/POPSK. After verifying the details, click the Pay and Book Appointment button to redirect to the payment gateway. Complete the payment process.

After successful payment, applicant is redirected to the Passport Seva Online Portal. The Appointment Confirmation screen is displayed along with appointment details.

Users can re-schedule appointments three times except in the case of tatkaal which is once.

Bring printed copy of online filled application form and original documents while visiting the Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division, Patiala House, New Delhi/Passport Office (PO) attached to your present address for submitting your application. Refer the instruction page of printed application form for more details.

Note:-

Diplomatic and Official Passports are issued to people holding diplomatic status or deputed by the Government of India for official duty abroad.

नोट:-

राजनयिक और सरकारी पासपोर्ट राजनयिकों और आधिकारिक विदेश यात्राओं के लिए भारत सरकार द्वारा प्रायोजित संवैधानिक अधिकारियों सहित सरकार के कर्मचारियों के लिए जारी किए जाते हैं।

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Who is eligible to apply for a diplomatic passport in India?

In India, a diplomatic passport (maroon cover) is issued exclusively to individuals holding official diplomatic status or those deputed by the Government of India for official duty abroad.

What is the difference between a diplomatic passport and an official passport in India?

The main difference between an Official Passport and a Diplomatic Passport in India lies in the color of the cover, the rank of the holder, and the nature of their government duties.

Can a diplomatic passport be bought in India?

No, you cannot buy a diplomatic passport in India.

What information should I include in the "Details of previous current diplomatic official passport" section of the passport application form?

When filling out the "Details of Previous/Current Diplomatic/Official Passport" section on an Indian passport application form (via Passport Seva), you must provide the specific information from your existing or last-held official/diplomatic passport.

How powerful is an Indian diplomatic passport?

An Indian diplomatic passport (deep maroon, Type D) is a high-authority travel document issued by the Consular, Passport & Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs to eligible government officials, diplomats, and select authorized personnel on official duty.

Can an IAS officer get a diplomatic passport?

Yes, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer can get a diplomatic passport (maroon passport), but it is not automatic.

Which passport does PM Modi use?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses an Indian Diplomatic Passport (Type D), which is distinguished by its maroon (burgundy) cover.

What is the strongest diplomatic passport?

The Singaporean passport ranks as the world's most powerful overall passport in 2026, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations. It is closely followed by Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates in the global mobility rankings.

What are the benefits of having a diplomatic Indian passport?

An Indian diplomatic passport (maroon-coloured, Type D) is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to Indian diplomats, top government officials, and designated individuals traveling abroad on official state business.

How to renew a diplomatic passport?

Renewing an Indian diplomatic or official passport (Maroon Type D) is handled through the Passport Seva Online Portal and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division.

What three original documents are required for a passport?

For an out-of-turn (Tatkaal) passport application in India, applicants must submit any three original documents from an approved government list provided by Passport Seva. This list includes the Aadhaar Card, Voter ID (EPIC), PAN Card, Driving License, Birth Certificate, Ration Card, Bank/Kisan/Post Office passbooks, Pension documents, Student ID, Service Photo ID, SC/ST/OBC certificate, Arms License, or a previous passport (for re-issue cases).

What documents are required for a diplomatic passport application?

To apply for a diplomatic or official passport in India through the Passport Seva Portal, you must submit the following documents in the exact order specified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA):

Required Documents (in Order of Presentation)

Printed copy of the online filled application form (submitted via the Passport Seva Diplomatic Page)

Political/PMO Clearance Certificate (if applicable to your assignment)

Copy of Applicant Official Identity (ID) Card (or that of the Head of Office)

Certificate issued by the Head of Office (in the prescribed official format)

Request letter/forwarding request from the Forwarding Officer

Other relevant supporting documents related to your official assignment abroad

Additional Requirements for Re-issue or Retirement

Re-issue of Diplomatic/Official Passports: Submit the original passport for cancellation, or provide an MEA-issued Surrender/Safe Custody Certificate or Cancellation Certificate if applicable.

Ordinary Passports: Include a Certificate of Safe Custody from your department.

Retiring Officers: If retiring within six months, include an office undertaking to surrender the passport upon return.

How long is a diplomatic passport valid for?

Diplomatic passport validity is not permanent and is generally tied to the holder's official tenure, mission, or appointment.

Key Rules of Diplomatic Passport Validity

Tied to Tenure/Mission: Unlike standard civilian passports, a diplomatic passport usually remains valid only for the duration of the official's service, assignment, or diplomatic posting.

Return and Expiration: Once the mission, term, or appointment ends (and the holder returns from official duty), the diplomatic passport typically ceases to be valid and must be surrendered or recalled.

Not Permanent:
No legitimate diplomatic passport is issued with permanent validity.

Country-Specific Regulations:
- In countries like India, validity depends strictly on the tenure and posting, and it must be renewed or surrendered through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) upon completion of service.
- In Ghana (under NLCD 155), diplomatic passports remain valid until the holder returns upon the termination of their mission or appointment, after which they expire.

Can diplomats travel visa free?

Whether diplomats can travel visa-free depends entirely on bilateral agreements, the issuing country, and the destination country, as there is no single global rule for diplomatic passports.

What is the color of an Indian diplomatic passport?

The Indian diplomatic passport is maroon (red/burgundy) in color.

Key Details:

Type Code: It is designated as a "Type D" passport (with D standing for Diplomatic).

Eligibility: Issued to Indian diplomats, Members of Parliament (MPs), members of the Union Council of Ministers, Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers, high-ranking government officials, diplomatic couriers, and their eligible dependents

Features: It functions as an ePassport with an embedded electronic data chip and typically grants visa-free privileges or waived visa requirements for official travel.

Can we buy a diplomatic passport in India?

No, you cannot buy a diplomatic passport in India.

What are the benefits of having a diplomatic passport in India?

How powerful is a diplomatic passport?

A diplomatic passport provides high-level travel convenience, expedited airport processing, and—under specific conditions and international law—diplomatic immunity, though it is not a blanket "golden ticket" that automatically grants total immunity in every situation.

How to renew a diplomatic passport?

Can a normal person get a diplomatic passport in India?

No, a normal private citizen cannot get a diplomatic passport in India.


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