Major Passport Rule Changes: 5 Key Updates You Need to Know

In a recent update to passport regulations announced by the central government earlier this week, birth certificates will now serve as the exclusive proof of date of birth for individuals born on or after October 1, 2023. Officials clarified that only birth certificates issued by the registrar of births and deaths, municipal corporations, or other authorized bodies under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, will be accepted for this purpose.

The new rule, which amends the Passport Rules of 1980, will take effect once it is officially published in the gazette. This change is part of a series of updates made to passport regulations over the years.

Here are the five key changes introduced under the new rules:

1. Birth Certificate as Sole Proof for Newborns
For applicants born on or after October 1, 2023, a birth certificate issued by the appropriate authority will be the only acceptable document to verify their date of birth. No other documents will be considered valid for this purpose.

2. Exemption for Applicants Born Before October 1, 2023
Individuals born before October 1, 2023, are not subject to this new rule. They can continue to submit a range of documents, including birth certificates, school leaving certificates, transfer certificates, PAN cards, driver’s licenses, or service records, as proof of their date of birth.

3. Residential Address No Longer Printed on Passports
To enhance privacy, the residential address of the passport holder will no longer be printed on the last page of the document. Instead, immigration officials will access this information by scanning a barcode embedded in the passport.

4. Colour-Coded Passports for Different Categories
The new rules introduce a colour-coding system for passports:

• Red passports will be issued to diplomats.
• White passports will be allocated to government officials.
• Blue passports will be provided to all other applicants.

5. Parents’ Information Removed from Passports
In a move to support children of single parents or estranged families, the names of the passport holder’s parents will no longer be printed on the last page of the document.

These changes aim to streamline the passport application process , enhance privacy, and accommodate diverse family structures.