Passport for LGBTQ+ Persons

Home / Legal Explainers / Government & Elections / Identification & Certificates / Identification Proof for LGBTQ+ Persons / Passport for LGBTQ+ Persons

A Passport is an official document issued by the government that allows you to travel internationally.(( Section 3, Passports Act, 1967.)) The Ministry of External Affairs issues Passports through the Central Passport Organisation (CPO) and you will be able to apply for a passport by approaching Passport Offices, Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) in India.

Given below are some of the important rights you have while applying for or updating a Passport:

New/Update and Re-issue of Passport

The procedure for a new Passport, updating a Passport and re-issuing a Passport in case you have lost or damaged it, is the same in India. With respect to Passport, reissue refers to renewal of a passport. These can be done either online or in-person. To understand how to get a new Passport, update the details of your Passport or re-issue your passport, read here.

Name: If you have changed your name to reflect the gender you identify with, you can fill your new name in the passport application form. You should carry a copy of your changed name in the Central/State Gazette and a copy of other ID proofs which recognize your new name in case the passport authorities require it.
Gender Details: While obtaining a new Voter ID card, you have 3 options for gender which is “male”, “female” and “transgender” (third gender). This option is available to you in all Passport offices across India and in the passport application form.

The Passport officials may ask you for proof of gender identity or proof of change of name, but they cannot subject you to any form of harassment or gender verification on the spot. If you face any harassment or discrimination, you should complain to the Passport authorities. If these authorities do not respond, you can take help from lawyers, NGOs, etc. to make the process easier and take action by filing a complaint with the police.

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Ask Nyaaya

Related Resources

PAN Card for LGBTQ+ Persons

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is an identification proof mandatorily required to file taxes which is issued by the Income Tax Department.

Aadhar Card for LGBTQ+ Persons

Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number, specific to each individual, issued after satisfying a verification process based on demographic information and biometric information.

Your Right to Recognition of Your Gender Identity

Identification documents play a major role in facilitating your rights such as the right to healthcare, education, etc. and are also important for day-to-day activities. It is your right to get identification documents recognizing the gender you want to be associated with.

Learner’s License for LGBTQ+ Persons

A Learner's License is a temporary license which is valid for 6 months, which legally allows you to practice driving on Indian roads, as long as you are accompanied by an adult who holds a valid Driving License

Driving License for LGBTQ+ Persons

A Driving License (DL) is an official document, issued in the form of a card, by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of each State.

Gender Identification

Courts have accepted that it is the right of any person to choose their gender if they do not identify with the sex assigned to them at birth.