Apply for Passport using Aadhaar and DigiLocker: New Rule from August 5th 2023

If you are planning to apply for an Indian passport, you should know that starting August 5th 2023, the Indian government is requiring all applicants to have a DigiLocker account. This is particularly important if you plan on using Aadhaar for verification purposes .

Summary: DigiLocker and Aadhaar Now Mandatory 

• Starting August 5, passport applicants in India must complete the DigiLocker process.
• If you submit Aadhaar during passport verification, you must create a DigiLocker account.
• This will make it faster and safer to process passport applications by connecting Aadhaar information to your DigiLocker account.

What is DigiLocker? 

DigiLocker is a service by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It helps you get digital versions of important documents like driver's licenses, vehicle registration certificates, and academic mark sheets.

If you already have a passport, here’s how you can add your passport to your DigiLocker account in a few simple steps.

Key Updates on Aadhaar Addition to DigiLocker 

If you plan on applying for an Indian passport, keep in mind that starting August 5th, you must complete the DigiLocker process. First, upload your supporting documents to DigiLocker and then submit your passport application online at the official website for Passport Issuance . Also, if you submit Aadhaar during passport verification, you must create a DigiLocker account. This will make the process faster and safer by linking Aadhaar information to your DigiLocker account.

The government has made it mandatory to create a Digilocker account throughout the country, following its introduction in Mumbai and Chennai. By linking your Aadhaar information to your DigiLocker account, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) aims to speed up and secure the processing of passport applications.

If you are planning to submit Aadhaar as proof of your present residential address or date of birth for your passport application, it is mandatory that you select the DigiLocker option when you file your online application. According to the official notice, if you do not exercise the option of DigiLocker for Aadhaar at the time of online submission of the passport application, Aadhaar shall not be accepted as a valid document for proof of present address or date of birth at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). This mandate has been introduced to minimize overall processing time and enable seamless verification of documents at the Passport Seva Kendra.

Adding your documents to your DigiLocker account 

To add documents to your DigiLocker account , follow these simple steps:

How to add government-issued documents to your existing DigiLocker account 

Step 1: Log in to your DigiLocker account.

Step 2: Go to the ‘issued documents’ tab/section.

Step 3: Choose the type of government-issued document you want to add. You can also look for education and insurance-related documents.

Step 4: Enter the document details and request the issuer for the document.

Your document will be uploaded to your DigiLocker account.

How to Upload Documents to DigiLocker 

Step 1: Open the DigiLocker app.

Step 2: Go to the home screen.

Step 3: Find the DigiLocker drive and click on it.

Step 4: Click to upload files.

Step 5: Select the document and confirm the upload.

Advantages of Using DigiLocker Documents for Passport Process 

To complete the document upload process in DigiLocker, you can do it in the portal itself. Once you create a DigiLocker account and upload all the documents on the platform, you won't need to bring the original documents to the PSKs (Passport Seva Kendra), provided that you have uploaded them on DigiLocker.

Like we said earlier, DigiLocker is a digital wallet service provided by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. In DigiLocker, you can upload or access linked government-issued documents, including driver's licenses, vehicle registration certificates, and academic mark sheets linked to Aadhaar.

To open a DigiLocker account, you need to use a mobile number that is already linked to your Aadhaar. This means that the mobile number you use for registration and receiving a one-time passcode (OTP) must match the one linked with Aadhaar. If you intend to make any changes to your DigiLocker account, such as updating your mobile number or full name, you must first update the corresponding data in your Aadhaar.

Let your documents do more for you 

If you have a valid Aadhaar, you can easily open a savings account with Federal Bank through the Fi Money app. It only takes three minutes to sign up for free and start using the account to start your savings in deposits, earn additional interest, send/receive payments instantly, analyse expenses, or budget smarter. If you upgrade to other account plans within Fi, you'll get access to premium features like zero forex, US Stocks, Mutual Funds, etc. & up to 4x rewards for all payments!

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is the new rule regarding passport application and DigiLocker accounts? 

Starting August 5th, 2023, the Indian government will require all passport applicants to have a DigiLocker account. This is particularly important for those who plan on using Aadhaar for verification purposes. If you submit Aadhaar during passport verification, you must create a DigiLocker account. This will make it faster and safer to process passport applications by connecting Aadhaar information to your DigiLocker account.

2. What is a DigiLocker? Is it mandatory to have a DigiLocker account? 

DigiLocker is a service provided by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology that allows users to get digital versions of important documents. It is now mandatory for all passport applicants in India to have a DigiLocker account starting August 5th, 2023. By linking your Aadhaar information to your DigiLocker account, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) aims to speed up and secure the processing of passport applications.

3. How to upload or link my existing documents into my DigiLocker account? 

To upload or link existing documents to your DigiLocker account, log in to your account and go to the "issued documents" tab/section. Choose the type of government-issued document you want to add, enter the document details, and request the issuer for the document. Once your document is uploaded to your DigiLocker account, you can use it for your passport application without having to bring the original documents to the Passport Seva Kendra.

4. Is DigiLocker secure? Why is it needed for Passport Applications? 

Yes, DigiLocker is a secure platform provided by the Indian government's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It uses advanced encryption technologies to ensure that your personal information and documents are safe. By linking your Aadhaar information to your DigiLocker account, the government aims to speed up and secure the processing of passport applications.