Apply for a Passport Without a Birth Certificate

1. For applicants born before 1 October 2023, a birth certificate is not mandatory. They may submit any one of the several alternative documents as proof of date of birth. 

1. For applicants born on or after 1 October 2023, a birth certificate is mandatory as the proof of date of birth. 

These changes were made through Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025 to ensure reliable age verification process and uniform documentation.   

The individuals who do not have a birth certificate can now submit any of the following document along with the passport application form to fulfil the eligibility criteria : 

Birth Certificate 

Apart from any of the documents listed below, an applicant can still use his/her birth certificate issued by any of the authorised bodies -

1. Registrar of Births & Deaths
2. Municipal Corporation
3. A specified authority that is empowered (under the Registration of Birth & Deaths Act, 1969) to issue a birth to a child born in India

School Leaving / Matriculation / Transfer Certificate

The applicant can use either the college/university transfer certificate, school leaving certificate or the matriculation certificate to fulfil the requirement for proof of D.O.B. provided the certificate contains the D.O.B. of the applicant.

Aadhaar Card / E-Aadhaar

Aadhaar is now required and helpful for many different applications and verification processes. Aadhaar is significant since it contains a person's demographic and biometric information, hence the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has permitted applicants to provide their Aadhaar as proof of D.O.B. Applicants born before 1 October 2023, may submit their Aadhaar as proof of date of birth however, the applicants born on or after 1 October 2023, Aadhaar alone will not suffice and a birth certificate gets mandatory in such case.

PAN Card

The new policy also allows an individual to use his/her Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card for the proof of D.O.B. A valid PAN Card issued by the Income Tax (IT) Department with the mention of the D.O.B. can be used instead of any other documents for those born before 1 October 2023.

Service Record

Personnel of the government may apply for a passport using a copy of the service record extract or the Pay Pension Order (applicable to retired employees).

The person responsible for the administration of the ministry or department must properly attest or certify the document. In order to meet the criteria for proof of D.O.B., the document must include include the applicant's D.O.B.   

Voter ID Card

The Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India has also secured a place in the list of valid documents that can be used for the application of a passport  for applicants born before 1 October 2023. The Voter ID Card must show the D.O.B. of the applicant in order for it to be considered valid for the application.    

Driving License (DL)

A valid DL issued by the Transport Department/Authority of the State Government showing the date of birth can be used as proof for passport applications for those born before 1 October 2025.

Policy Bond

A policyholder can use a Policy Bond issued by the Public Life Insurance Corporations/Companies to furnish it as the proof of D.O.B. provided there is a mention of his/her D.O.B.

Important Note: 

Whether it is the application for a new passport or the reissue, applicants born before 1 October 2023, can use any one of these documents instead of a birth certificate, whereas those born on or after 1 October 2023, must submit a birth certificate as proof of date of birth.