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passports

Replacing an emergency passport with a full-validity passport

If you were issued an emergency, limited-validity passport at an embassy or consulate because you had an urgent need to travel, you should apply to replace this passport with a full-validity passport as soon as possible.  All adult applicants may apply by mail as long as the emergency passport is still valid.  Children under the age of fourteen must apply in person at our office and meet additional requirements.

Please note that two consecutive emergency passports cannot be issued. Your next application must be for a full-validity passport, which will be printed in the United States and take approximately 7 working days to process once the application arrives in our office.

Application requirements

Please submit the following by courier or registered post:

  • Your emergency passport: This passport will be cancelled and returned to you with your new passport.  Any valid visas will not be cancelled.

  • Passport application form DS-5504: Parents should sign for children under age 16. The instructions on this form are written for individuals applying for a passport within the United States.  As applications are processed differently outside the United States, please ignore the submission instructions on pages one and two of this form and follow the instructions on this web page. Form DS-5504 must be printed on separate sheets of paper; do NOT print this form on front and back of the same sheet. For tips on completing the DS-5504, please follow this link.

  • Two identical passport photographs: The Consulate will reject any photographs that do not meet the specified requirements.

  • A courier envelope from VFS: Please purchase a courier envelope for Rs. 166 at any VFS application center in western India.  For more information, please visit the VFS website.

  • If the endorsement on the last page of your emergency passport states that your passport was issued under 22 CFR 51.41, you must also submit proof of citizenship in the form of one of the following: 

  • a U.S. birth certificate;
  • a U.S. naturalization certificate;
  • a U.S. certificate of citizenship;
  • a U.S. consular report of birth abroad; or
  • an expired passport;

  • If the endorsement on the last page of your emergency passport states that your passport was issued under 22 CFR 51.28, you must also submit proof of identity in the form of one of the following: 

  • a valid passport of any country;
  • a valid driver's license with photograph;
  • a national identity card with photograph;
  • a valid U.S. or state government ID card; or
    a U.S. military ID card

Fees: There is no fee for this service.

If you have an urgent need to travel, you may submit your application in person at our office.  Click here for our address and business hours.

Submit your application

Please submit your passport application, along with all supporting documents listed above, using registered post or a private courier. Your envelope should be sent to the following address:

Adult Renewals
American Citizens Services Unit
American Consulate General Mumbai
78, Bhulabhai Desai Road
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 026

Processing time

Your application for a full-validity passport will be sent to the United States for printing with a secure, photo-digitized image of the bearer.  You should allow 15 working days for your application to be processed.

Expired emergency passports 

If your emergency passport is no longer valid, you must follow the instructions for normal passport renewal, which may require you to appear in person and will require you to pay renewal fees.

If your passport was issued under 22 CFR 51.41 and/or 22 CFR 51.28 (check the endorsement on the last page of your passport), you will also have to submit the following in addition to the listed requirements for your specific renewal:

Proof of citizenship (if your endorsement specifies 22 CFR 51.41):
a U.S. birth certificate;

  • a U.S. naturalization certificate;
  • a U.S. certificate of citizenship;
  • a U.S. consular report of birth abroad; or
  • an expired passport;

Proof of identity (if your endorsement specifies 22 CFR 51.28):

  • a valid passport of any country;
  • a valid driver's license with photograph;
  • a national identity card with photograph;
  • a valid U.S. or State government ID card; or
  • a U.S. military ID card;