Major amendments in passport rules; Birth certificate requirement and other key updates

New Delhi: The Central Government has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025, revising the list of acceptable documents for proof of date of birth under the Passports Rules, 1980. The new rules, issued under Section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967, will take effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette

Under the updated regulations, individuals born on or after October 1, 2023, must provide a birth certificate issued by the Municipal Corporation, the Registrar of Births and Deaths, or an authorized authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. This will serve as the sole accepted proof of date of birth for these applicants.

Under the amended provisions:

For individuals born before October 1, 2023, multiple documents will continue to be accepted as proof of date of birth, including:

(I) In respect of persons born before the 1st October, 2023 (attach one of the following) ─

(i) Birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the Municipal Corporation or any other authority, empowered under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969); or

(ii) Transfer or school leaving or matriculation certificate issued by the recognised school last attended or recognised educational board having the date of birth of the applicant; or

(iii) Permanent Account Number Card issued by the Income-tax Department having the date of birth of the applicant; or

(iv) Copy of an extract of the service record of the applicant (only in respect of Government servants) or the Pay Pension Order (in respect of retired Government servants), duly attested or certified by the officer in-charge of the administration of the concerned Ministry or Department of the applicant, having his date of birth; or

(v) Driving licence issued by the Transport Department of the concerned State Government, having the date of birth of the applicant; or

(vi) Election Photo Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of India containing the date of birth of the applicant; or

(vii) Policy bond issued by the Life Insurance Corporations of India or Public Companies having the date of birth of the holder of the insurance policy.

For individuals born on or after October 1, 2023, only a birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, Municipal Corporation, or a designated authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, will be accepted.

Other Key Passport Rule Changes

• Residential address privacy: Residential addresses will no longer be printed on passports. Instead, immigration officers will access this information via barcode scanning, enhancing security and privacy.
• Colour-coded passports: The government has introduced a classification system:
  • Red: Diplomatic passport holders
  • White: Government officials
  • Blue: Regular passport holders
• Parental details no longer mandatory: To accommodate children of single parents and individuals from estranged families, parents’ names will no longer be printed on passports.

Reason for the Amendment

Officials cited the increased availability of birth certificates under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, as a key reason for making them the primary proof of birth. This change is expected to enhance the accuracy and uniformity of personal identification records.

Impact on Applicants

With these amendments, the government aims to improve efficiency and reduce discrepancies in the passport application process. Applicants should ensure they have the necessary documentation based on their date of birth to avoid delays.

Expansion of Passport Seva Kendras

To enhance accessibility, the government plans to increase the number of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) from 442 to 600 over the next five years. The MEA has extended its MoU with the Department of Posts to support this expansion, ensuring streamlined passport processing, especially in remote areas.