Passport Seva Kendra

My passport is due to expire next March. I was quite happy about the new online and automated process. Thought of giving some tips to the readers… the portal will tell you that the list of required documents to renew an old yet valid passport is ONE address proof. I had two photocopies and the original. Guess what? That isn’t enough if you are applying for your passport in a different region – say you got your passport in Chennai and trying to get it renewed in Bangalore. According to the authorities, they require TWO address proofs in that case. Trust me… there is no point in yelling “The last time I heard Bangalore is in India… I’ve not moved to New York and requesting an Indian passport…” or “PAN card is a valid Indian government ID… do you know how much tax I pay?” Until now, I just got my bank statements for address proof. Well… they made me run again to the bank for an “Address Confirmation Letter” along with one year bank statement. I’ve turned wise the second time – didn’t argue just wanted to oblige and get the hell out of the passport office after spending almost a day there without lunch.