New Passport Rule 2025: Birth certificate mandatory for applicants born after October 2023

New Passport Rule 2025: Birth certificate mandatory for applicants born after October 2023

As per the new passport rule 2025, the Indian government has mandated that individuals born on or after October 1, 2023, must present a birth certificate as the sole proof of date of birth when applying for a passport. This change, introduced under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025, is aimed at standardizing documentation and enhancing the authenticity of birth records.

For individuals born before October 1, 2023, there is no change in the application process. They can continue to submit alternative documents like:

• Educational certificates
• PAN cards
• Driving licences

This dual-documentation approach ensures that those born before the cutoff date do not face sudden procedural challenges.

Who Can Issue Birth Certificates?

To maintain accuracy and authenticity, birth certificates will only be considered valid if issued by authorized entities such as:

• Registrar of Births and Deaths
• Municipal Corporations
• Other authorities designated under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969

This step ensures a more uniform and secure verification process across India.

Other Key Changes in Passport Rules

Enhanced Privacy Measures: The last page of passports will no longer display residential addresses or parents' names. Immigration officials will now retrieve these details via a barcode scan instead. This update benefits single-parent and estranged families while improving overall data security.

Expansion of Passport Seva Kendras: The government plans to increase the number of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) from 442 to 600 over the next five years. This expansion aims to make passport services more accessible, reducing processing delays for applicants across the country.

One Birth Certificate for Multiple Services: The rule aligns with the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023, allowing a single birth certificate to be used for:

• Passport applications
• Aadhaar registration
• School and college admissions

By integrating data security, ease of access, and authentication improvements, the government aims to make passport applications faster, more reliable, and foolproof for Indian citizens.