A passport identifies the holder as a national or citizen of a particular country. It is documented proof that allows you to request other governments to permit you to travel within their country. The National Passport Information Center handles questions related to passports.
A passport is a travel document, usually issued by the government of a nation, that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder for the purpose of international travel. A passport specifies nationality, but not necessarily the place of residence of the passport holder.
All Indian citizens who depart or intend to depart from India are required to be in possession of a valid passport or travel document. Under the Passports Act, 1967, the Government of India may issue different types of passports and travel documents, such as Ordinary Passports, Diplomatic Passports, Official Passports, Emergency Certificates, and Certificates of Identity for the purpose.
The prescribed passport application, duly filled in, should be submitted along with all prescribed documents and fees. Merely submitting an application, however, does not constitute a claim for the issue of a passport. It remains a request/requisition for a passport, which may be rejected due to deficiencies in the supporting documents, failure to follow the prescribed procedures, or any other reason.
The basic supporting documents required with a passport application include: