How To Get The 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫?

An applicant receives a passport application reference number after applying for an Indian passport. It is an alphanumeric 12-digit unique code. The passport reference number starts with 4 alphabets which represent the city location where the application has been filed and ends with the year of applying. The remaining six digits refer to the number of applications that have been submitted. A key differentiator here is, since the passport reference number is not repetitive, it is easy to track the passport status. 

In this article, we will walk you what is through the passport reference number, eligibility criteria, generation procedure and so on.

What is a Passport Reference Number?

A passport reference number is a unique 12-digit number reference that is provided to the passport applicant after applying for a passport. The passport application reference number helps in tracking passport status. Moreover, it is a combination of alphanumeric reference numbers.

You can check the format of the passport reference number below:

• The first four digits represent the location where the application was applied.
• The next two digits represent the passport application year.
• The left of the number represents the application serial number which is made in that particular location.

The reference number of the passport is a temporary number solely provided to the passport applicant as an acknowledgement number. The supporting document along with the application reference number is physically submitted at the Passport Seva Kendra.

Eligibility Criteria for an Indian Passport

The Indian passport application process can be initiated only for the eligible candidate who meet certain criteria. The applicants who are eligible for this Indian passport are citizens of the country over 18 years of age.

The passport authority-provided guidelines also provide applicants for minors, i.e. for children below the age of 18 years. Even newborn are included in this category. To get an Indian passport, it is necessary to submit all the supporting documents as per the presiding rules and regulations of the passport authority.

An individual who resides in India but is not an Indian citizen won’t be able to get an Indian passport. Instead, they can get a valid travel document or a refugee document as the case may be.

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When Does the Passport Reference Number Get Generated?

The Ministry of External Affairs governs the centralised process for passport applications. The online portal is available for applying for an Indian passport. All the supporting documents must be attached with the application and need to be submitted to the Passport Seva Kendra to complete the Indian passport application.

The required set of documents may vary, which depends on the category of application. However, it is the provided can be the same as even after different requirements it will still be an Indian Passport Application.

Once the application submission is completed, the individual needs to make the application fee amount. The various payment options are as follows:

• Debit / Credit card
• SBI Bank Challan
• Internet Banking (Associate Banks, State Bank of India and so on)

After making payment, the applicant needs to schedule an appointment with their nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) from the available slots. Moreover, it is salient to carry a hard copy of the application and all supporting documents, as the executive will ask for those documents. 

Note: Senior citizens can visit Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) without an appointment for submission and verification of documents. 

Once the submission and biometric information verification is done successfully, the passport application reference number will be generated. The 12-digit unique passport reference number will help you track the passport application status. 

Example of Passport Reference Number

Suppose an individual has applied for an Indian Passport in Madras in the year 2021. In that case, the 12-digit alphanumeric passport application number the remaining 4 digits refer to the serial number of the passport application.

Passport Application Number: MASW 1234 2021

To Sum Up

The passport reference number is the acknowledgement number that the passport authorities provide the applicant to track passport status and also acts as proof of applying. It is a 12-digit unique alphanumeric code where the first four letters represent the location of registration, and the last four digits represent the year in which the applicant has applied for. Moreover, the middle four digits are the serial number which refers to the number of applications, which is unique for each applicant.

FAQ’s about Passport Reference Number