How to get an Indian Passport renewed in USA

The first thing you need to know is that all passport applications are done by BLS International Services LTD., so any communications regarding your Indian passport renewal must be done through this company, not the Indian consulates.

Since August 2013, all passport applicants have to fill this Order Form before applying (whether they are going to apply in person or by mail). Once you have filled in the form, make sure you save a copy, you'll need it during the following steps.

Indian people residing in USA can apply for their passport renewal in six different places according to their residential area. Please note that there are several differences depending on the state so here, we'll detail all the information you need to know:

Washington DC

Who should apply? People living in Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia

How long will it take? Minimum 1 - 3 weeks. Minimum 6 weeks or more if the case is referred for clearance.

When and where? From 9:00 AM to 2:00PM , passport pickup is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday-Friday

Address: 800 K Street NW, Suite MR-12, Washington DC 20001 USA

New York (NY)

Who should apply? People living in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Islnd and Vermont.

How long will it take? An additional 10 days

When and where? From 9:00 AM to 2:00PM , passport pickup is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday-Friday

Address: Suite # 202 28 West, 30th Street, New York 10001, USA

Chicago (IL)

Who should apply? People living in Missouri, IIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

How long will it take? Minimum 4 weeks. 6 weeks or more if the case is referred for clearance.

When and where? From 9:00 AM to 2:00PM, passport pickup is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday-Friday

Address: 29 East Madison St, Suite 1203, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Houston (TX)

Who should apply? People living in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Nebraska

How long will it take?1 to 3 weeks. 6 weeks or more if the case is referred for clearance.

When and where? From 9:00 AM to 2:00PM, passport pickup is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday-Friday

Address: Suite 602, 9800 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77092 USA

San Francisco (CA)

Who should apply? People living in Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

How long will it take? 2 to 3 weeks

When and where? From 9:00 AM to 2:00PM, passport pickup is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday-Friday

Address: 4837 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA

Atlanta (GA)

Who should apply? People living in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virgin Islands

How long will it take? 6 to 8 weeks. 4 additional weeks if the passport is referred for clearance.

When and where? From 9:00 AM to 2:00PM, passport pickup is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday-Friday

Address: Lakeside Office Park 5775 Glenridge Drive,, North East, Building B Suite 390, 30328, USA

Once you have filled in the Passport Order Form, there are several other documents required for renewing or re-issuing Indian Passport in USA. You will have to take these to the assigned place, according to your jurisdiction:

1. 3 recent colour photographs with each being 2” X 2”. The photo should be front facing and the background should be white.
2. Completely filled and signed Online Application Form.
3. One copy of BLS Order Form.
4. A print out of Checklist. Tick the checklist and then arrange the application in the same order as mentioned in the checklist.
5. 3 Copies of the filled Nationality Verification Form/ Personal Particulars form and 3 photographs for personal particular form.
6. Photocopies of the first 5 pages and last 2 pages of current passport.
7. Colour copy of Employment Authorization card, Green Card or copy of legal status in the USA such as H1B/ B1/ B2 Visa.
8. Original passport. Also attach the previous passport if the passport is less than 5 years old.
9. Applicable Fees. It is non-refundable.

Following are the required documents which should be notarized before submission.

1. Colour photocopy of current valid US visa on Green card or passport or I – 797 approval notice documents or Employment authorization card. Person holding student visa must also attach the I – 20 document. All the photocopies should be notarized.
2. Applicants living in New York, Houston and San Francisco whose vsa has expiored or who have had the receipt notice for extension on the visa should attach a notarized no status affidavit with notarized photocopies of valid passport and green card of two witnesses along with an original photograph affixed on each copies if their visa has expired or if they have the receipt notice for extension on the visa. They should also attach 7 copies of National verification form. Applicants from Washington, Atlanta and Chicago have to go to the consulate in person for an interview before they can apply at their respective passport application center.
3. Married female applicants should attach the notarized affidavit of change in their maiden name to married name.
4. For the applicants whose current passport does not include the spouse’s name, a notarized photocopy of marriage certificate is required and one copy of the US ID or the passport is also required.
5. A notarized photocopy of the applicant’s residential proof like State ID, Rental lease agreement. Driver’s License, Home mortgage bill or Utility bills. A copy of State ID can be submitted for applicants who are above 60 years of age.
6. If the applicant’s appearance has undergone a significant change from the photograph in the current passport then an affidavit form for change of appearance along with current notarized photo is required.
7. For applicants whose passport has expired for less than 6 months, a letter is required explaining why the passport was not renewed in the required time frame. If 6 months or more have already passed after the expired date then the applicant must submit a notarized affidavit along with 7 copies of Nationality Verification Form, each attached with an original photograph. Applicants under Houston jurisdiction must submit a 4 points affidavit too.

Now you have all the necessary documents for your passport renewal, you should also take the right amount to pay the fee. All fees can be paid in Cash, Money Orders, Cashier's Check, Pay Orders and Banker's Check if you are applying in person. The fee can be paid by attaching Money Orders, Cashier's check, Banker's check, Pay Orders favoring “BLS International USA" if you are applying by post. Cash or personal checks are not accepted.

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There are three types of passport you can apply for, the regular charge for a 36-page booklet is $91.20, a regular 60-page booklet is $116.20, for an ordinary 36-page tatkaal it's $241.20 and a jumbo 60-page taktaal is $266.20.

For more information you can also take a look at our article on How to get an Indian passport online.

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• Please check with Passport Application Center/Embassy/Consulate in your jurisdiction whether any additional documents are required or not.
• The fee is subject to change without prior notice.