question on getting new passort

hi
my passport expires in july 2010..am in US on h1b..
what is the earliest i could apply for a new passport..
how long does it take to get new one..
please help..

you can apply for new passport within last one year ie. in your case between july 2009 to july 2010

to get new passport it will take 10 business days after applying

for more info check their website

http://www.cgisf.org/

Passports must be renewed at the nearest Indian consulate or embassy and can be done upto one year in advance of the expiry of the passport. If you live in Iowa, you must submit it in Chicago Indian Consulate. Please refer to their website Consulate General of India at Chicago, USA for details. www.cgisf.org is the San Francisco indian consulate website, but the processess might slightly vary in various consulate. So better refer to the corresponding consulate website under whose jurisdiction is your current residence.

Hi please note the following process for passport renewal.

Get to the indian consulate webpage, apply for new passport application online.

You will see an appointment time and date upon completion which you must ignore, you can only visit them after three business days. If you go earlier, they will send u back.

Print the completed application form, fill in the remaining fields. You need this form to enter the consulate.

Have all the necessary documents in tact and ready. The person at the reception will check all the forms and then only will allow you. If not he will send u back. Esp with the photographs measurements.

Upon sucessful application, they will give u printed receipt which will give u approximate time and date to collect your new passport. (10-12 working days). You can even give them a self-addressed envelope for getting it via mail, but I have heard lots of stories of many who have not received their passports via mail.

If u need any other detail keep me posted.

Chicago Indian consulate customer service is really bad, they never treat you with respect and will easily insult you so be prepared.

To add to what all are told above, make sure to select the correct cosulate name (where you are supposed to submit your application) in the online application form. Based on this, a file number is generated that is required to register your application at the consulate. The file number format is different for different consulates. So to be sure, fill in the online form from the corresponding consulate/embassy website where you are planning to submit the hardcopy application.

Originally Posted by umaraj23

You will see an appointment time and date upon completion which you must ignore, you can only visit them after three business days. If you go earlier, they will send u back.

This is not the case with every consulate. In San Francisco, if you have to get the service before the appointment date, you will have to pay additional $150 as RUSH fee. In that case, you will mostly get the passport same day itself, max within 3 working days. Check with your nearest consulate (A general info to all those who read these posts).

Originally Posted by umaraj23

You can even give them a self-addressed envelope for getting it via mail, but I have heard lots of stories of many who have not received their passports via mail.

As of now there are only 3 Indian consulates and one embassy in whole US. So to be at the consulate in person is impractical for most.. To make sure you receive your documents back safe, include OVERNIGHT envelops only..they have tracking numbers and probability of getting lost in mail is minimal..