Passport Status
Track your passport application on the official Passport Seva portal, and understand what every status message actually means for your timeline.
Official tracking portal. Passport status can only be checked on the Ministry of External Affairs' Passport Seva site:
How to check your passport status
- Find your file number. It is a 12-character code (e.g. BN1068xxxxxx) printed on your application receipt and sent by SMS/email after you complete your Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) appointment.
- Open the tracking page. Use the official link above and choose your application type — usually "Passport/PCC/IC/GEP".
- Enter file number and date of birth. Both must match your application exactly, then submit.
- Read your status. The current stage appears immediately. Use the table below to decode it. You can also SMS STATUS <file number> to 9704100100.
What each status message means
| Status message | What it means |
|---|---|
| Application submitted, pending at PSK | You completed the online form but the PSK visit or document verification is not yet done. |
| Police verification initiated | Your local police station has been asked to verify your address. Expect a visit or call. |
| Police report clear, passport under printing | Verification succeeded and your booklet is being printed — usually dispatched within a week. |
| Adverse police report | Verification found a mismatch (often address). You may need to re-apply or provide clarification at the Passport Office. |
| Passport dispatched | Sent by Speed Post with a tracking number shown in the status. Track it on the India Post site. |
Typical timelines
Normal (fresh) applications typically complete in 30–45 days including police verification. Tatkaal applications are usually printed within 1–3 working days after the PSK visit, with police verification done afterwards. Re-issue without address change is often faster because verification may be waived.
Frequently asked questions
My police verification has been pending for weeks. What can I do?
Visit or call your local police station with your file number — the request may be sitting in their queue. You can also raise a grievance on the Passport Seva portal or call the helpline 1800-258-1800.
Can I track without a file number?
No. The file number is mandatory for online tracking. If you lost it, retrieve it by logging in to your Passport Seva account under "View Saved/Submitted Applications".
What does "passport returned undelivered" mean?
Speed Post could not deliver to your address. The passport is returned to the Regional Passport Office — contact them with your file number to arrange collection or redelivery.