How to Renew an Indian Passport in the USA (Step-by-Step Guide for 2025)
- Shruti Lal
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
Renewing your Indian passport while living in the United States might feel overwhelming — but don’t worry. This guide breaks down the process into simple, easy-to-follow steps, so you can renew your passport with confidence and avoid delays.
📍 Step 1: Know Your Jurisdiction
Before starting your application, you need to find out which Indian consulate has jurisdiction over your U.S. state. This determines where your application will be processed.
👉 Visit the official VFS Global website:https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/indSelect your state to find the correct consulate: New York, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, or Washington, D.C.
🖥️ Step 2: Fill Out the Government of India Passport Form
Go to the Indian passport portal: https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in
Register or log in with your credentials
Choose “Apply for Ordinary Passport”
Select “Re-issue of Passport”
Fill out the form and submit it online
Download and print the completed form — you’ll need this for your application packet
📝 Step 3: Complete the VFS Global Application
After completing the Government of India form, head back to the VFS Global passport application page:
Click "Apply Now" under your consulate
Log in or create a new account
Fill out the VFS form with the same information
Choose your shipping option (self-courier or VFS courier)
Pay the required fees:
Passport renewal fee: ~$92
VFS service charge
Optional shipping fees
📦 Step 4: Gather Your Required Documents
Here’s a checklist of documents you need to include in your passport renewal packet:
✅ Printed Government of India passport form
✅ Printed VFS Global application confirmation
✅ Two passport-size photos (2x2 inches, white background)
✅ Your current Indian passport (will be returned later)
✅ Proof of legal status in the U.S. (valid visa, green card, I-797, etc.)
✅ Proof of U.S. address (e.g., driver’s license, lease agreement, or utility bill)
✅ Annexure E – a self-declaration form (available on VFS website)
✅ Supporting documents (if applying for name change, spouse name addition, etc.)
Make sure to photocopy all original documents as instructed on the VFS site.
📮 Step 5: Ship Your Application Packet
Carefully pack all the documents in the correct order.
Ship it to the VFS center assigned to your state.
Use a trackable courier service if you're self-shipping.
If you opted for VFS’s courier service, follow their instructions for label and drop-off.
🔍 Step 6: Track Your Passport Status
You can track your passport renewal application through:
The VFS tracking tool (available in your account dashboard)
The official Passport Seva portal (https://portal3.passportindia.gov.in)
📬 Step 7: Receive Your New Passport
Once your application is processed, VFS will send your new passport and original documents back to you via the return courier option you selected.
⏱️ Need It Faster? Try Tatkal
If you're in a rush, you can apply through the Tatkal passport renewal service, which speeds up the process — though you’ll pay a higher fee and may need to provide additional justification and documents.
🙋 Final Thoughts
Renewing your Indian passport in the U.S. is a straightforward process when you know the steps. Just follow this guide, stay organized, and triple-check your documents before mailing them.
If you found this helpful, consider sharing it with friends or family who might also need to renew their passport!
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