user experience and user centered design

Chennai passport Office in Shashtri Bhavan, Haddows road is always a busy and crowded place. So you should better use the online booking facilities to avoid some waiting and make the visit a little better one.


Though it says Online Application Booking, it is actually not. All it does is get some details and inserts in a PDF application. You should print that PDF application, fill it and handover to the officer at Shashtri Bhavan, Chennai. Also your appointment time will be printed in the application to avoid confusion.


[note:the following steps are incomplete. i will update the complete procedure later]

Steps for applying for new passport in-lieu of an expired passport (Re-Issue, technically):

1. Visit https://passport.gov.in/pms/OnlineRegistration.jsp and start filling the details online. Keep your Passport handy. You may need to fill in a couple of existing passport's details.

2. Once you fill all the relevant details click "Save" and the online system will offer you a date and time of choice (usually 10 to 15 days from the date of booking). Select your preferred date and time.

3. After the time is generated, the system will download a PDF to your computer. Read that and save the PDF.

4. Take a print out of the application. The main application could be back-to-back. But the duplicates should be printed in single sheets. So you should have one application, and two duplicates which totals to 3 documents.

5. Take 3 passport size photographs of yours and paste it in the relevant boxes. Sign on the photos in the duplicate form. Do not sign on the photo in the application's front page. Leave it blank.

6. The application form will be half-filled already. So you need to tick/update/write the other details in the application.

7. Along with the main application form, there will be two more forms called as Duplicates. In each duplicate form, you need to fill in two addresses. Make sure these addresses are of the neighbors who reside next to you in the permanent address you mentioned.

8. Go through the application once again and ensure you have filled it properly. For the questions which does not applicable in your case, just mention N.A.

9. You need to produce proof of the following items
- Address Proof (Current Residence) : BSNL Phone bill or Bank Statement
- Date of Birth Proof : PAN Card / Voters ID / SARAL in case if you dont have a PAN card
- Photocopy of Educational Certificates you mentioned in the application.
- Originals of the certificates (just for verification. You can take the origanals back with you. This is mostly not required, but do not take chances. Carry the originals with you.)


10. On the day of appointment, reach there atleast 30 mins earlier. Because the office is always crowded and you may find it difficult to park your vehicles/bikes. Once parked, go through the main entrance. The online applicants queue is on the left side, but close to the inner entrance. You need to pass/cut through the regular application queues to reach the queue for online booking.

11. If all documents are proper, the office should take up your application and thats it. The process is complete.



- Rajesh Sundaram