All You Need To Know About India Passport Renewal in USA

Last Updated on Jul 10th, 2024 by Priyanka Jadhav, Leave a Comment

Are you an Indian living and working on a visa in the United States for a long time? Is it time for your passport to be renewed as it is about to expire or all its pages have been filled? In this case, you either need to apply for a new passport or request an extension. Are you unsure if it’s a myth or a fact that an Indian passport can only be renewed in India? In this article, you will learn all about the fallacies surrounding the renewal of an Indian passport such as how to renew an Indian passport in the USA, where you can renew your passport to a step-by-step guide for the renewal of your passport. 

How to Apply for Passport Renewal?

VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) Global accepts applications in person or via mail. Both methods of application call for the same steps to be completed by the applicants. 

Step I: Find the Consular Jurisdiction where you intend to apply for Passport Services

Washington DC, New York, Georgia, Texas, Illinois, or California. 

Consular Application Centers	Address	Center Timing (Monday – Friday)	Consular Jurisdiction	Processing Time
Washington DC	1025 Vermont Ave, NW Suite 320, Washington, DC 20005 (USA)	9:00 AM – 2:00 PMRenewed Passport Pickup: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia	1-3 weeks, however, if the case is referred for clearance then a maximum of 6 weeks.
New York	145 W 45th Street, 3rd floor, New York 10036 (USA)	9:00 AM – 2:00 PMRenewed Passport Pickup: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont	10 days
Chicago	180 N Stetson Avenue, 20th Floor, Suite# 2075, Chicago, Illinois 60601	9:00 AM – 2:00 PMRenewed Passport Pickup: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin	4 weeks, if clearance is required then 6 weeks.
Houston	1001 Texas Ave #550, Houston, TX 77002 (USA)	9:00 AM – 2:00 PMRenewed Passport Pickup: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska	3 weeks, if clearance is required then 6 weeks.
San Francisco	228 Grant Ave, Floor 5, San Francisco, CA – 94108	9:00 AM – 2:00 PMRenewed Passport Pickup: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming	3 weeks
Atlanta	5607, Glenridge Drive NE, Suite No.725, Atlanta, GA-30342	9:00 AM – 2:00 PMRenewed Passport Pickup: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands	6 to 8 weeks, if clearance is required then 4 weeks more.

Step II: Submit the Required Documents

• A copy of the completed VFS Global Indian Passport Renewal USA Order Form.
• A completed document checklist with the applicant’s signature. 
• In order to apply online, a user must fill out and sign the application form. 
• Three copies of the Nationality Verification form with three pictures of the applicant. 
• Three recently clicked pictures of the applicant. If the passport has been expired for more than 3 years, then the applicant must submit eight photographs. One photo must be glued to the provided space on the first page. The second photo should be glued to the Nationality Verification Form and the rest of the photos need to be stapled to the last page of the application form. 
• A notarized color copy of the Green Card or Employment Authorization Card or a copy of the legal status such as H1B, B1, or B2 Visa. 
• The original passport should be attached. 
• Photocopies of the first five pages and the last two pages of the current passport should be attached as well. 
• The fees for the application are non-refundable. 
• A notarized photocopy of the marriage certificate is required if the current passport doesn’t include the name of the spouse. The passport renewal application also requires a copy of the spouse’s passport or their US citizenship proof. 
• For female candidates, an affidavit of change of name from maiden to married must be notarized. 

Submission of Documents: Only UPS or FedEx envelopes will be accepted to send all required documentation. The VFS Global website has information on the envelope’s specifications. Submissions in any other form won’t be accepted. No alterations can be made to an envelope once it has been sealed. The website provides the ability to print shipping labels. If you put more than one passport renewal application into the same envelope, it will be rejected.

Step III:  Payment of the Passport Renewal Fee

If a passport holder wants to apply in person, he or she can use a credit card to pay the charge. Changes to the price are possible at any time and without warning.

• Each candidate must make their own payment.
• Using a credit card will result in convenience charges.
• Payment in cash or personal checks is not allowed. 
• As a result, if the fee is not paid in full, VFS will not be held liable for any delays or additional costs that result.

Indian Passport Renewal Fee

The cost for renewing the passport in the US depends on whether you are an adult or a minor, and the size of the booklet you will be provided with. Additionally, other than processing charges, an applicant is required to pay the ICWF (Indian Community Welfare Fund) of $2 and a VFS Fee of $15. 

Indian Passport Renewal Total Cost

Application	Valid For	Booklet	Total
18+	10 years	36 Pages	$92
18+	10 years	60 Pages	$117
15 – 18	10 years	36 Pages	$92
15 – 18	10 years	60 Pages	$117
Below 15	5 years	36 Pages	$67

Method to Track Indian Passport Renewal in the USA 

After you have submitted for the renewal of your Indian passport, you can also track the US passport renewal status of your application. 

You will be required to fill either your Government Reference Number (ARN No.) or File No. or Application ID along with the applicant’s date of birth. The VFS Global Indian Passport Renewal USA Website can be of assistance for any additional information. 

Significance of the US Passport Renewal Status

• Invalid Input: Specifies that your passport renewal application hasn’t been reviewed or processed by the VFS system. Or, you could be entering incorrect information. An application is usually reviewed in a week and the applicant must track the US Passport Renewal status, not before 7 working days. 
• On Hold: Due to certain ‘deficiencies,’ your application is kept on hold until you submit the requested documents. If an issue persists with your application, VFS Global Indian Passport Renewal USA Website will email you to your registered email address about the incomplete application. One must try sending documents together to avoid any delay. 
• Forwarded to the Embassy: If your passport renewal application meets the requirement, it will be on its way to the Embassy (Consulate) for processing. The Embassy reserves the right to request additional documentation or an interview. 
• Reached the Embassy: The passport renewal application has been successfully submitted to the Embassy. 
• Dispatched from the Embassy: The passport renewal application has been accepted by the Embassy and dispatched to VFS to be prepared to ship to you by a courier. 
• Dispatched via Courier: Your package is in the process of being delivered to you. 

It is truly a blessing to have an Indian Embassy near you, especially if you need to renew a passport urgently or you are wishing to seek some visa assistance. Let’s check out the 6 Indian Consulates in the United States of America. 

Process of Re-Issuing of Indian Passport in 

1. Washington DC

Applicants residing in Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia and having valid address proof can submit their Indian Passport Renewal Application to the VFS Indian Consular Application Center at Washington DC. 

2. Indian Passport Renewal New York 

Anyone who wishes to apply for passport renewal from the following states, which include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or Vermont can send their application to the Indian Consulate for Indian Passport Renewal in NYC. 

3. Indian Passport Renewal Chicago

Customers living in any of the states listed such as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are allowed to send their renewal applications for Indian Passport Renewal in Chicago.

4. Indian Passport Renewal Houston

Applicants living in the states of Houston, Texas like Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nebraska can apply for their Indian Passport Renewal in Houston. 

5. Indian Passport Renewal San Francisco

If the applicant of the Indian passport renewal resides in the following states like Alaska, Arizona, California, Island of Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Territory of American Samoa then they can send their application for Indian Passport Renewal San Francisco, California. 

6. Indian Passport Renewal Atlanta

Applicants living in any of the following states like Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the US Virgin Islands can submit their application for Indian Passport Renewal Atlanta, Georgia. 

Conclusion

A passport needs to be considered valid after a few major specifications. If it doesn’t follow the requirements, it is impossible for a passport to be renewed. Now that we have learned about the steps to renew a passport, the documents required, the cost, and the time taken to renew the passport, it is important we remember the life of a passport which does not exceed 10 years.

In these 10 years, an applicant must be aware of when the passport will expire, so that they can apply for a renewed passport, and they should also keep the passport in good condition – i.e., to minimize the wear and tear on it. 

Lastly, it is quite a known fact that traveling to India from USA (and back) is very popular – whether the reason is business or tourism. With the cordial relation between the countries, there are a lot of Indian citizens living and working in the US, and vice-versa. Indians no longer have to worry about traveling back to India if their passport is expiring. Just get it renewed and connect with us so we can book flights to India for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I stay in the US with an expired Indian passport?

A: You will need to prove that your visa to the US is still valid. If it is you can start the process for your passport renewal. If your US visa has expired or there are any issues, you can submit a request for an emergency certificate and a possible short-term validity passport.

Q. What address do I put on my online application?

A: You will need to mention both an Indian and a US address on the online application form.

Q. What about my valid visas in my expired Indian passport?

A: Your old Indian passport will be returned to you with your existing visas intact. You will need to carry your old passport with the valid visas with you when you travel, alongside your new passport.

Q. What if I have lost or damaged my Indian passport?

A: While certain parts of the process will be similar; in certain instances, you may need to provide documentation and verification of the theft or damage.

Q. Where to get an Indian passport photo in the USA?

A: To find out more about, “where to get passport pictures near me,” check out MyTicketsToIndia’s blog on Passport Photos Near Me.

We hope this information proves helpful for you and yours! 

Once you have a renewed passport, make your India travel a hassle-free experience by getting in touch with us (at MyTicketsToIndia) for affordable cheap flights from USA to India from USA and back. We have also initiated an Indian-American community portal – IndianVibes – which covers the latest Indian news for the Indians in America. Do check out and let us know if we can help you book tickets to India!