Citizen Service · Official Guide
Applying for a Passport Online in West Bengal — PSK Kolkata, Fees, Tatkaal & Verification Guide
Citizen Services
A complete guide to applying for a new passport on passportindia.gov.in — fees, slot booking at PSK Kolkata, police verification, Tatkaal, and checking status with the mPassport Seva app.
Application & Verification Process
Register on the Passport Seva portal
Open www.passportindia.gov.in and complete 'New User Registration' — enter your name, mobile, email and select your nearest passport office (Kolkata).
Fill in the form and pay the fee
Log in, select 'Apply for Fresh Passport / Reissue', and fill in your personal and family details. Choose the number of pages (36/60) and validity (10 years) and pay the fee online.
PSK slot booking and appointment
Once the fee is paid, book a slot at PSK Kolkata (Beltala) or the nearest Postal Passport Seva Kendra from the Appointment page. Carry original documents and photocopies — photographs and biometrics are captured there.
Police verification
After the application is submitted, it goes to the police station covering your address for verification — try to be at home. For Tatkaal applications, verification in most cases happens after the passport is issued.
Status check and passport delivery
Check the status via the 'Track Application Status' menu or the mPassport Seva app using your File Number. Once issued, the passport arrives at your home by Speed Post.
Required Documents
Ensure you have self-attested copies of the following documents ready before applying:
Official Portal & Helpdesk
Visit the official government portal for direct application, tracking status, and departmental updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the fee for a regular passport?
The fee for a regular 36-page, 10-year-validity adult passport is ₹1,500, and ₹3,500 under the Tatkaal scheme. Fees for child and 60-page categories differ — the portal's 'Fee Calculator' gives the exact amount.
What is a Tatkaal application and when should I use it?
Tatkaal costs more but the passport is issued within 1–3 working days, and in most cases verification happens after issuance. Choose it for urgent travel needs (medical treatment, jobs, visa deadlines).
Can a spelling mistake in my parents' names or my date of birth stall the application?
Yes, this is the most common problem. Before filling in the form, match the spellings across your Aadhaar, birth certificate and educational certificates — if they don't match, get those documents corrected first.
In detail
Introduction
Passports for West Bengal applicants are processed through the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Kolkata and nearby postal centres — but the application, fee and slot booking are all done online from home. Here is the entire process, step by step, for first-time applicants.
Match Your Documents Before Filling the Form
The biggest reason passport applications get stuck is spelling mismatches — if the name/father’s name is written differently on the Aadhaar, birth certificate and marksheet, objections arise at the appointment. So whatever name and date of birth you enter in the form, match them exactly against your documents. If you don’t have a birth certificate, sort that out first with the birth certificate guide.
Normal vs Tatkaal
| Aspect | Normal | Tatkaal |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (36 pages, 10 years) | ₹1,500 | ₹3,500 |
| Police verification | Before issuance | Usually after issuance |
| Issuance time | Usually 2–4 weeks | 1–3 working days |
Unless there is an urgent need, the normal scheme is sufficient — half the fee.
What to Carry to the PSK Appointment
Original documents + photocopies, the appointment receipt, and the File Number sent by SMS. Photographs and fingerprints are taken at the PSK, so keep your appearance tidy. At the end of the appointment you receive a receipt — it carries the File Number, the key to checking your status.
Beware of Scams
Scams in which callers posing as the passport office, CBI or a digital verification team ask for OTPs and bank details over phone/video calls are very common. Remember: passport authorities never ask for OTPs, bank details, or app installations over the phone. If in doubt, report to the 1930 helpline.
Further Reading
- Birth certificate: West Bengal Birth Certificate Guide
- Aadhaar correction: Aadhaar Update Guide
Related topics
- passport apply west bengal
- passportindia
- PSK Kolkata
- passport application
- tatkaal passport
- passport fees
- police verification