clarification on police certificates, passport etc

[rkk1 34]

Hi guys. I was reading through old threads on this site, and I want some clarification on a few issues, if you'd be so kind.

First of all, my husband has an old passport. He's in his late 20s now, and it was issued when he was a teenager (with a horrible looking picture ), about 8-9 years ago, I believe. Is he required to get a new passport?

Secondly, I found an old thread about police clearances: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/162527-pcc-india/ However, this thread was from back in 2008, so I don't know if the info is still accurate.

From reading, it is my understanding that if his passport was issued less than 6 months ago (which it is not), then only the passport office police clearance certificate is required. But in his case, since it is an old passport, then it seems he would need to FIRST get a certificate(?) from his local police station, and THEN take that local police documentation to the passport office to get a certificate there. Can someone please confirm whether this info is correct?

I wasn't sure if I should ask this on the IR/CR1 page, as I wasn't sure if the requirements vary by country or not (i.e. if these are India-specific questions).

Thanks so much!

Edited May 8, 2012 by rkk1

[Divs 35]

First off, it's advisable to renew his passport. He can apply via passport seva kendra for a renewal and would get it in about two weeks. Second, you only need a police clearance from the passport office. You need to check the consulate's website. There it's clearly mentioned that they require a pcc issued from the regional passport office.

[TimeTravel 78]

Better to get re-issued passport. Because 8-9 yrs, possibly his passport may not be in good condition, and it can be considered as damaged passport, plus his face must have changed alot, so keep it up to date. He can also update spouse name in this re-issue passport, so that will be PLUS for interview.

[rkk1 34]

Thanks so much guys. My husband told me that actually the passport was issued in 2006, so 6 years ago. (I could have sworn he looks like a teenager in that passport... I can tell it's him, but he was really thin then and had a terrible center parted hairstyle). I'm so glad he looks the way he does now. He says he isn't planning to get the passport renewed as he still has another 4 years to go, and would be happy to get it renewed then from within the US. I hope this would work. He does not have a passport office in his city (as the nearest one is around 7 hours away, I think). He says he'll try to go there next month if he can, and get the PCC at that time. I told him that if he is not going to renew the passport, then he'll have to also get some documents from his local police to bring with him to the passport office in the other city. I don't exactly know what he has to get from his local police, but hopefully they know.

[TimeTravel 78]

Thanks so much guys. My husband told me that actually the passport was issued in 2006, so 6 years ago. (I could have sworn he looks like a teenager in that passport... I can tell it's him, but he was really thin then and had a terrible center parted hairstyle). I'm so glad he looks the way he does now. He says he isn't planning to get the passport renewed as he still has another 4 years to go, and would be happy to get it renewed then from within the US. I hope this would work. He does not have a passport office in his city (as the nearest one is around 7 hours away, I think). He says he'll try to go there next month if he can, and get the PCC at that time. I told him that if he is not going to renew the passport, then he'll have to also get some documents from his local police to bring with him to the passport office in the other city. I don't exactly know what he has to get from his local police, but hopefully they know.

It is highly recommended that he should apply for re-issue his passport, and add your name as spouse. It is a PLUS point. Someone on VJ mentioned that they were not issued PCC because spouse name was not on the passport. It is really worth to reissue the passport for many reasons.