One of the most essential things while travelling is a Passport. In India, the passport police verification process is an important part of applying for passports. This step ensures that the applicant’s background is thoroughly checked by the police to confirm their identity and assess any potential security risks. However, at times, the police verification may face delays, leading to stress.

This article will discuss what police verification is, the types of police verification, the reasons for delays, and most importantly, what you should do if your police verification is delayed for your passport.

Key to Passports: Police Verification

Police verification is an essential requirement in the passport application process in India. It involves the local police checking your background to ensure you are not involved in any criminal activities and have a clean record. The police verify details such as your residence, employment, and any criminal history, before issuing a clearance report.

The passport police verification process ensures national security by screening you for any potential risks. It is a vital step that cannot be skipped in the passport application procedure.

There are two types of police verification:

Normal Police Verification

This is the standard procedure where the police visit your registered address to verify the provided details and submit a report to the passport office.

Tatkaal Passport Police Verification

Have you ever considered what you would do in the event of an emergency requiring your passport urgently? The standard will take its time. The standard processing time can be lengthy. Fortunately, there is an option available: the tatkaal procedure. This expedited police verification process is specifically designed for urgent passport applications under the Tatkaal scheme, allowing for quicker police verification to facilitate the rapid issuance of a passport.

What are the Modes of Police Verification Modes?

There are majorly three main modes of police verification, that is discussed below:

1.   Post-passport issuance police verification

This is conducted before your passport is issued. The police verify the details mentioned in the application and then submit a report to the passport office.

2.   Pre-passport issuance verification

This is the same procedure as the pre-passport verification. However, it is also done in some cases. If the police find any discrepancies, your passport could be invalidated.

3.   No police verification

This situation is regarded as an exception. Government employees, public sector undertakings, and statutory organisations that apply for a passport and submit an ‘identity certificate’ as annexure “B” will be issued their passports without the requirement of police verification.

Why Could Be the Reasons for the Delay in Police Verification?

Several factors can contribute to delays in police verification for a passport. Understanding these reasons will allow you to take preventative steps to address the problem.

Some common reasons are listed below:

• If the information provided in the passport application form is incorrect or incomplete, the police may need additional time to verify the details, delaying the process.
• Incomplete or inaccurate documentation can hinder the verification process. It is essential to provide all necessary documents in the proper format to prevent any processing delays.
• In densely populated cities, police stations may have a high volume of verification requests, leading to delays in processing.

What to Do If Your Police Verification is Delayed for a Passport?

By reading this far, you have a basic understanding of the reasons behind delays in the

passport police verification process. Now, let’s discuss some steps you can take to avoid delays:

Check the Status on the Passport Seva Portal

The first step is to check the status of your passport application through the Passport Seva Portal. This online portal allows you to track your application and see if the police verification is still pending. If it is delayed, the portal may provide information on the cause of the delay.

Contact the Passport Office

If the delay persists, please contact the Passport Office directly. They can help you understand the reason for the delay and walk you through the next steps. Additionally, you can file a complaint through the portal if necessary.

Contact the Police Station

Get in touch with the local police station where the verification was supposed to occur. They may provide you with an update on the status and reasons for the delay. Sometimes, a simple phone call or visit to the police station can speed up the process.

Wrapping Up

Applying for a passport comes with a police verification to ensure you have a clean record. While a delayed passport police verification process can be frustrating, staying proactive and following the steps above can help resolve the situation. Ensure you provide correct information and documentation to speed up the process. However, if you are in urgent need of a passport, you can apply for your passport through tatkaal portal.

If you face any additional health or travel issues while waiting for your passport, consider protecting yourself with a health insurance plan like Niva Bupa. With Niva Bupa’s wide range of insurance plans, you can ensure peace of mind while navigating important life procedures like passport applications.