NRI Passport for Minor Children: Police Verification Rules

NRI Passport for Minor Children: Police Verification Rules, Parental Status & Legal Safeguards

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), applying for an Indian passport for a minor child often raises concerns about police verification (PV), parental nationality, custody, and overseas residence. Indian passport law provides several relaxations and safeguards for minors, particularly where parents already hold valid passports or reside abroad.

Legal Light Consulting assists NRIs worldwide in navigating these rules efficiently—ensuring compliance while avoiding unnecessary delays.

Passport Issuance to Minors Without Police Verification (No-PV Cases)

When One or Both Parents Hold a Valid Passport

If either or both parents hold a valid Indian passport, the minor’s passport may be issued without police verification (No-PV), subject to compliance with documentation requirements.

Key conditions:

• Photocopies of both parents’ passports must be attached

• At least one parent’s passport must include the spouse’s name

• Minor’s passport will be issued on No-PV basis

• Passport Issuing Authorities (PIAs) cannot insist on parents changing their passport address

 Even if the present residential address differs from that in the parent’s passport, the minor passport can still be issued on No-PV basis by submitting a valid current address proof of either parent.

Adverse or blank police verification records (PVR) of parents in the PRIDE system do not bar issuance of a minor’s passport.

When Neither Parent Holds a Passport

If neither parent holds an Indian passport:

• The minor’s passport may be issued on a pre-police verification (pre-PV) basis

• Police verification focuses on:

  • Parents’ nationality

  • Child’s eligibility for Indian citizenship

A child does not automatically acquire Indian citizenship merely by birth in India. Citizenship is determined under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Effect of Parents Acquiring Foreign Citizenship

Indian parents who later obtain foreign nationality:

• May continue signing Annexure ‘H’ or relevant declarations

• Do not affect the Indian citizenship of a child who remains an Indian citizen

• Retain their role as biological parents under Indian law

This provision protects children from losing citizenship rights due to parental migration.

Passport Options for Minors Aged 15–18 Years

Children between 15 and 18 years have two passport options:

1. Minor Passport

   • Valid until the child turns 18

   • Issued without police verification

2. Full Validity Passport (10 years)

   • Issued subject to post-police verification

 For minors aged 15–18 normally residing abroad, re-issue of a 10-year passport does not require police verification.

Applications by Guardians When Parents Are Abroad or Deceased

When Both Parents Are Abroad

• Parents must appoint a local guardian in India

• Joint sworn affidavit (Annexure ‘I’) attested by Indian Mission/Post required

• Passport issued subject to pre-PV

• Two affidavits from responsible persons required (unless guardian is a grandparent)

When Both Parents Are Deceased

• Application may be filed by grandparents or surviving relatives

• No police verification required

• Normal passport issuance procedure applies

If a non-relative legal guardian applies, pre-PV is mandatory.

Legal Guardian Applications

A court-appointed legal guardian may apply for a minor’s passport by submitting:

• Certified copy of the court order appointing guardianship

• Standard passport documents

Legal guardianship must be legally valid under Indian law.

Mandatory Annexures & Parental Consent

Annexure ‘H’ – Joint Parental Declaration

• Must be signed by both parents

• Both parents should be present at PSK, or

• One parent may apply with passports of both parents

If one parent resides abroad:

• Annexure ‘H’ must be attested by Indian Mission/Post

Annexure ‘G’ – Single Parent Declaration

Required when:

• One parent cannot provide consent

• Reasons must be sworn before a Magistrate

 Exception: Not required if a parent has full custody without visitation rights.

Special Scenarios

• Pending divorce cases → Court permission mandatory

• Seamen / sailors on board ships → Annexure ‘H’ may be waived with employment proof

FAQs on NRI Minor Passports

General Questions on NRI Minor Passports

1. Is a separate passport mandatory for minor children?

Yes. Under Indian passport law, every minor must have a separate passport. A child’s name cannot be endorsed in a parent’s passport.

2. Can an NRI apply for a minor’s Indian passport from abroad?

Yes. NRIs can apply through the Indian Embassy/Consulate or authorized service providers in their country of residence, subject to documentation and consent requirements.

3. Is police verification required for issuing a minor’s passport?

Not always. Police verification depends on parental passport status, age of the child, and guardianship arrangements.

Police Verification (PV) & No-PV Rules

4. When is a minor passport issued without police verification (No-PV)?

A minor’s passport is issued on a No-PV basis if:

• Either or both parents hold a valid Indian passport

• Copies of parents’ passports are submitted

• At least one parent’s passport contains the spouse’s name

5. Does a change in parents’ current address require police verification?

No.
If the family’s present address is different from the address in the parents’ passports:

• A valid current address proof can be submitted

• Passport will still be issued on No-PV basis

• Authorities cannot insist on updating parents’ passport addresses

6. Can adverse or blank police verification records of parents block a child’s passport?

No.
An adverse or blank PVR status of parents in the PRIDE system does not prevent issuance of a minor’s passport.

7. What happens if neither parent holds an Indian passport?

In such cases:

• Minor’s passport may be issued on pre-police verification (pre-PV)

• Police verify parents’ nationality and child’s Indian citizenship eligibility

Citizenship & Nationality Issues

8. Does a child automatically become an Indian citizen by birth in India?

No.
Indian citizenship is not automatic by birth alone. Citizenship depends on:

• Parents’ nationality

• Applicable provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955

9. If parents later acquire foreign citizenship, does the child lose Indian citizenship?

No.
Parents acquiring foreign nationality does not automatically deprive the child of Indian citizenship if the child remains an Indian citizen under law.

10. Can parents with foreign citizenship still sign passport consent forms?

Yes.
Biological parents can continue to sign Annexure ‘H’ or other declarations, even after acquiring foreign citizenship.

Age-Specific Passport Rules

11. What passport options are available for minors aged 15–18 years?

Minors aged 15–18 can apply for:

• Minor passport (valid till 18 years, No-PV), or

• Full validity passport (10 years) subject to post-PV

12. Is police verification required for reissue of a 10-year passport for minors abroad?

Normally, no police verification is required if the minor (15–18 years) is normally residing abroad.

Consent, Annexures & Parental Presence

13. Is consent of both parents mandatory?

Yes, in most cases.
Both parents must sign Annexure ‘H’.

14. Do both parents need to be present at the Passport Seva Kendra?

Either:

• Both parents may be present, or

• One parent may apply with passports of both parents

If one parent lives abroad, their consent must be:

• Given through Annexure ‘H’

• Attested by the Indian Mission/Post

15. What if one parent refuses to give consent?

If consent is unavailable:

• Annexure ‘G’ (Single Parent Affidavit) must be submitted

• Reasons must be sworn before a Magistrate

 If custody is joint or divorce is pending, court permission is mandatory.

16. Is Annexure ‘G’ required in all single-parent cases?

No.
Annexure ‘G’ is not required if one parent has:

• Full legal custody

• No visitation rights granted to the other parent

Divorce, Separation & Custody Cases

17. Can a minor passport be issued when divorce proceedings are pending?

Only with prior permission of the competent court. Passport authorities will not proceed without judicial clearance.

18. Can a separated parent apply alone for the child’s passport?

Separation without divorce does not dissolve parental rights. Consent of the other parent or court order is usually required.

Guardian-Based Applications

19. Can a local guardian apply if both parents are abroad?

Yes.
Requirements include:

• Joint affidavit by parents (Annexure ‘I’) attested by Indian Mission

• Pre-police verification

• Affidavits from two responsible persons (unless guardian is a grandparent)

20. Can grandparents apply for a minor’s passport?

Yes.

• If both parents are deceased, no PV is required

• If grandparents are legal guardians, normal procedure applies

21. What if a non-relative legal guardian applies?

A pre-police verification is mandatory, along with a court-appointed guardianship order.

Special Professional Cases

22. Are seamen or sailors exempted from signing Annexure ‘H’?

Yes.
If a parent is a seaman on board a ship and unable to visit the Mission:

• Annexure ‘H’ requirement may be waived

• Proof of employment must be furnished

How Legal Light Consulting Helps NRIs

23. Why should NRIs choose Legal Light Consulting for minor passport matters?

Legal Light Consulting offers:

• Expert handling of No-PV and pre-PV cases

• Custody, consent & court-order management

• Mission-attested affidavits & annexures

• Global NRI support (USA, UK, UAE, Canada & more)

Disclaimer

This FAQ is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Passport decisions depend on facts, custody status, and applicable law.

Why Legal Light Consulting for NRI Minor Passport Matters?

 Expertise in police verification exemptions

NRI-specific passport strategies

 Custody, consent & guardianship handling

Mission-attested affidavits & annexures

Support across USA, UK, UAE, Canada & globally

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Passport rules vary based on individual facts and legal status.