Infinite thoughts

Related post: Way to Passport - Part I If you are hoping that since the passport office is asking you to take an appointment, you will not have to face any queue, then you would be totally wrong. The appointment is only a way to force people to come on the specified date and deter others from stamping the passport office. One will still have to go through a big queue (approximately 70-75 persons) But the good part is that if you are in the queue before 1:30 PM, by all chances, your application will be accepted on that day. Some tips for the day of appointment Be there around 40-45 minutes in advance. Things to carry with you - a book for reading, or an iPod to listen to music or something else to keep you busy through the queue (unless you are interested in bird watching :) and birds are no more rare species at the passport office!! ) A water bottle 3 sets of document (self attested). The office asks only for 2 sets, but it's good to have one more. Original set of papers All of you

As my passport was expired, couple of months back, I started searching for the means to get it renewed. To make this process smooth, government has put up a website - http://www.passport.nic.in or http://www.passport.gov.in which has all the details required for getting a fresh passport or renew/re-issue the same. While the site is very useful, it still has some gray areas which resulted in some inconvenience (read: multiple trips to the passport office) for me. And hence thought to share the tips with the world out here. The recent procedure requires the applicant to fill up the application online, take a printout and submit the application along with supporting documentation in the passport office on the day of appointment. Before filling up the online application: First and foremost: Read the checklist carefully. There are few ifs and buts which one needs to understand correctly. Address proof has to be in the applicant's name. That means, applicant's name should clearly b