I recently went through the process of renewing my wife’s passport to add her spouse’s name. While we eventually received her passport, we faced a major hurdle at PSK Chandigarh—one that I want to share so others can avoid making the same mistake.
The Logic vs. The Reality
My wife’s previous passport was issued at PSK Jalandhar, and since we weren’t changing her address, I assumed we could visit any major PSK—like Chandigarh—to get the renewal done. In my mind, since Chandigarh is the capital, it should process a Punjab-based application regardless of the city.
I figured that if her old passport had been issued somewhere far away, like Pune, a change of jurisdiction would make sense. But Jalandhar to Chandigarh felt close enough to be considered “local.”
The Lesson: The Passport Office doesn’t see it this way. If someone applies at a specific PSK, they must prove that they currently reside within that office’s jurisdiction, even if the address on their passport isn’t changing.
The Problem: “Out of Jurisdiction”
The Documentation Hurdle
At PSK, the process usually starts after receiving your token. At the first counter, the PSK official verifies the application details on a screen facing you, takes the photograph, and records the fingerprints. Applicants are asked to carefully review all the details and confirm them before the application moves to the next stage.
This is where things started to go wrong for us.
During the documentation verification stage, the PSK official noticed that the Aadhaar card still showed the previous Jalandhar address. We were immediately informed that a Jalandhar address would not be accepted at PSK Chandigarh.
When asked for the current address, we explained that my wife was staying near Patiala. The PSK official confirmed that Patiala falls under Chandigarh’s jurisdiction—but clearly stated that valid proof of her current residence must be provided.
Fortunately, we had a soft copy of my wife’s bank passbook saved on my phone. I quickly stepped outside, took a printout, and presented it at the counter. However, it was rejected immediately. The PSK official explained that photocopies alone were not acceptable and asked us to produce the original, properly attested bank passbook.
That’s when I realized just how strict documentation rules at PSK really are.
What Went Wrong With the Bank Passbook
When the PSK official explained the issue, I realized that the problem wasn’t the absence of a bank passbook, but the way my wife’s address proof was submitted. PSK does not accept printouts unless they are presented along with the original, properly attested passbook.
The PSK Official then pointed out a more specific issue. Although her passbook had a stamp on the front cover, the photograph pasted inside it was not stamped. At PSK, the bank’s stamp must appear directly on the photograph, not just elsewhere on the page.
We were clearly instructed to visit the bank branch and get this corrected. The PSK requirements were explained as follows:
All photocopies must be properly attested by the bank.
- The original bank passbook must have the pasted photograph stamped and signed by the bank.
- We had to bring photocopies along with the original passbook.
- The photocopies should include:
- The first page containing my photograph and personal details
- The second page showing a bank statement for the last three months
That’s when it became clear that even a small detail—like where a stamp is placed—can decide whether my wife’s address proof is accepted or her application is put on hold.
The Lesson: Address proof must clearly show the applicant’s current residence. According to the Passport Seva Kendra official guidelines, the address proof must fall under the PSK’s jurisdiction where the applicant applies. If any document is missing or improperly verified, the application will be put on hold until the correct documents are submitted.
What Happens if Your Application Is Put on Hold?
Since we didn’t have the required documents ready, my wife’s application was put on hold. Here’s what we learned about that process:
- The 3-Month Window: Once flagged, the application remains on hold for up to three months, during which you must submit the correct documents.
- Walk-in Timings: We couldn’t return at just anytime. I was instructed to visit the PSK only on Mondays or Fridays between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM to resume the process.
- Cancellation Option: If We had chosen to cancel the application and apply again elsewhere, I would have needed to visit the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Sector 34, to complete the cancellation.
Cancellation Is Not as Simple as It Sounds
When I asked whether I could simply cancel the application and apply again at PSK Jalandhar, the PSK officer explained something important. Once the application reaches this stage, PSK staff cannot reject or cancel it on their own. Their role is limited to processing the application, and if any proof is missing, the only option available to them is to put the application on hold.
We were informed that to cancel the application and start over elsewhere, I would have to personally visit the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Sector 34. The cancellation could not be done at PSK Chandigarh.
This created a difficult situation for us. We had already traveled nearly 90 kilometers with our family to reach PSK Chandigarh. Visiting another government office just to cancel the application felt uncertain, time-consuming, and stressful—especially knowing how unpredictable such processes can be.
At the same time, returning to PSK Chandigarh with updated documents also felt risky. There was always the fear that if something was still found lacking, it would mean another wasted trip, more expenses, and more time lost.
In short, once your application is processed and put on hold, you’re stuck in between—cancellation isn’t easy, and switching to another PSK isn’t an option either. That’s why having the right documents the first time becomes absolutely critical.
My Final Advice
Even if you aren’t changing your address, do not assume you can pick any PSK. You must have “local” proof for the city where the office is located. If you use a bank passbook, make sure your photograph is properly stamped by the bank before you go.
Your Experience Matters
Have you faced jurisdiction or document issues at a Passport Seva Kendra?
Was your application approved, put on hold, or delayed for a different reason?
Share your experience in the comments below—your story could help someone else avoid the same confusion.