Whether you are applying for passport renewal for an adult or a minor under 18 years, it is mandatory to submit the Affidavit for Change of Appearance and Signature along with all other required documents.
Additionally, this affidavit DO NOT needs to be notarized as of June 2024.
To learn more about the Indian passport renewal process in the USA, visit this blog.
According to VFS instructions, it’s recommended to type out the information rather than sending handwritten documents. However, I’ve personally seen hundreds of affidavits filled out by hand with pen, and they were accepted, including my own when I renewed my passport in October 2023.
Begin by entering the applicant’s full name as per their passport (unless there are changes), followed by the father’s full name as per the passport (unless there are alterations needed in the father’s name spelling).
If you are changing names, you need to provide supporting documents. Please refer to the article on ‘Affidavit of Name Change’ for more information.
For the residential address, ensure to provide your current US address. You need to submit one US address proof for the same address too.
Next, include the current expiring (or expired) passport number with the issued date in DD/MM/YYYY format, exactly as shown on the current passport. This should be followed by the place of issuance of the current expiring (or expired) passport.
In short, there is no right or wrong answer; both options are correct. Your choice does not affect the renewal process.
Regarding appearance, if there’s been a just slight change such as weight gain/loss or aging compared to the last photo on your expiring passport, you can cross out has.
When you cross out has it reads- That my appearance has not changed.
Regarding signature, if you still sign the same way, you can cross out has.
When you cross out has it reads- That my signature has not changed.
For children, both their signature and appearance most likely changes compared to the expiring passport, so you should cross out has not for both.
Once you have filled out this form up to this point, go ahead and make your signature witnessed, along with indicating the place and time of signing this affidavit.
When clients come to me, I typically validate their photo first to ensure it meets the specifications required by VFS. If it looks satisfactory, I proceed to ask them to affix it to the form.
You can also take advantage of the new photo service VFS has started, where you simply upload a digital photo as per the specifications, and they print it for you for about $10 fee (for now). If you choose this VFS photo service, you do not need to send any physical photos.
Disclaimer: This information is purely for your guidance, I highly encourage checking on the VFS website for more updated information. Share this Article if you find it helpful to your friends and family.
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