The United States has discontinued the service that permitted third-party passport collection, effective from 1 August 2025. This modification, as per the revised guidelines, aims to enhance the safety and security of passports and related documents. Applicants are now mandated to retrieve their passports or visa documents in person from the embassy or consulate. For applicants who are under 18 years of age, the collection must be carried out by a parent or legal guardian. They are required to present an original consent letter signed by both parents, along with a clear photocopy of both parents’ Indian government-issued photo IDs that display their address. Scanned or emailed consent letters will not be accepted. Additionally, birth certificates or school ID cards may also serve as supporting documents for minors. While in-person collection is now compulsory, applicants have the alternative option to have their passports delivered to their home or office for a fee of ₹1,200 per applicant.
For adult applicants, the necessary documents include:
- Original valid Indian government-issued photo ID with address
- A photocopy of the same ID
- Copy of the appointment letter (preferred for faster processing)
For minors, the required documents consist of:
- Birth certificate or school ID card
- Original and photocopy of the parent/guardian’s Indian government-issued photo ID with address
- Original consent letter signed by both parents
- Photocopy of both parents’ Indian government-issued photo ID with address.
Accepted forms of ID include the passport biographic information page, voter ID, driving licence, or Aadhaar card. Employment ID cards issued for Indian government jobs, senior citizen cards, and PAN cards are not accepted. The revised regulations apply to all US visa and passport pickups in India, and applicants are encouraged to verify their documents beforehand to prevent delays at the collection point.
