Tatkal Service is available for issue or re-issue of Indian passports. It is not available for Miscellaneous services, PIO Card or OCI card. Tatkal service is available on compassionate grounds of a genuine emergency like death or serious illness of a blood relative. Tatkal passport service is not available for cases where references have to be initiated; lost and damaged passport cases; and in cases where the passport has not been renewed for more than six months after the date of expiry.

Processing time for Tatkal cases is between one to three working days. In such a case, a short validity passport can be issued to the applicant.

The procedure for applying for Tatkal passport is the same as regular procedure. In addition to the regular documents required by the particular procedure, you require following additional documents

• Documentary proof of the nature of emergency.
  
  
• Confirmed air ticket.
  
  
• In addition to the regular fee, additional tatkal fee of $150.
  
  
• Additional documents at Embassy of India, Washington DC:
  • A request in writing to the Consular Officer explaining the emergency for issuing the passport.
    
    
  • Two sworn affidavits from reputed Indian nationals residing in the area of the applicants residential jurisdiction certifying that the applicant is personally known to them for a long time.
    
    
  • Relevant pages of the passports of the two Indian nationals who have given sworn affidavit.