Where Is The Passport Number In The Indian Passport?

A passport is an important document to have in your arsenal if you plan to travel internationally. Each passport is unique and outlines the details of the individual, marking it as distinct. Often, many people confuse the passport number with the passport file number. However, there are many differences between both. The passport file number is essentially a tracking ID that you receive during your passport application process. On the other hand, the passport number is a unique identification number. If you are wondering where the passport number in an Indian passport is, it is located on the top-right corner of the main details page of the passport. In this article, we will look into the details of the passport number, and even understand the passport file number better. But first, let’s get the basics right.

What is a Passport?

A passport is an official government document that acts as a form of identification for the person who is travelling abroad. It includes essential personal information of the holder, including their name, date of birth, photograph, and nationality. Additionally, a passport also contains visa stamps, which are required by countries for granting the permission to enter their country.

Why do You Need a Passport?

A passport is essential for international travel as it validates your identity and citizenship. Whether you are travelling abroad for study, work, or for vacation, holding a valid passport is crucial. Without a valid passport, travellers may face significant obstacles, including legal issues, or travel restrictions. long with the above, a passport also serves as a form of identification since it can also be used as an identity proof for legal documentation purposes.

What is the Passport Number?

The passport number in an Indian passport is essentially a unique identification code assigned to each passport holder. Located prominently on the passport's bio-data page, the passport number is crucial for identification and verification. It is an alphanumeric code typically comprised of a series of letters and numbers, making it unique to the passport holder. For a passport number to be considered valid in India, it must adhere to the following criteria:

1. It should consist of eight characters.
2. The first character must be an uppercase alphabet.
3. The next two characters should be numbers, with the first character ranging from 1 to 9 and the second character from 0 to 9.
4. It may include zero or one white space character.
5. The subsequent four characters can be any number from 0 to 9.
6. The last character should be any number from 1 to 9.

Now that you know where the passport number is in the Indian passport, let’s understand a bit more about the passport file number as well.

What is the Passport File Number?

When you apply for an Indian passport, you receive a unique passport file number that allows for tracking of the passport application status.

1. This file number is an alphanumeric reference code and is assigned when you submit a passport application and pay the applicable fee.
2. In cases where the passport issue may take a long time, you can use your passport file number to check for any updates.
3. Once you understand what may be causing the delays in the application process, you can visit a nearby Passport Seva Kendra and address any issues highlighted during the tracking process.

As you may already be aware, a passport is an immensely important document you must keep with you at all times during international travel. However, there may be unfortunate scenarios where you may end up losing or misplacing your passport. In that case, you must reach out to the Indian embassy or other official authorities to obtain a duplicate or fresh passport. In this process, however, you may have to incur certain expenses. Consequently, your trip budget may be affected too. This is where travel insurance can help.

How Travel Insurance Helps with Loss of Passport? 

As mentioned earlier, in case of loss of a passport, you may have to incur certain expenses to get a new one. With a travel insurance plan, you can claim reimbursement for the expenses you may have to necessarily incur in the process to acquire a new passport.* An international travel insurance plan can provide financial assistance in many other scenarios. For instance, most travel insurance plans cover checked-in baggage loss and delay. So, if your checked-in baggage is lost or delayed, you get adequate compensation to tide over the losses, as specified in the policy wordings.* Other unforeseen events covered under travel insurance plans include trip delay/cancellation/curtailment, medical emergencies, urgent medical evacuation, and even repatriation, amongst other coverages.* Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy. To know what the premium of a travel insurance plan could be, you can use a travel insurance premium calculator.   *Standard T&C apply. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.