If you previously held an MRP or ePassport, renewing it works like this: you open the official online passport application system, select Renewal, complete the pre-enrollment form, book an appointment, prepare your documents, and visit your selected office for verification and biometric enrollment. That's the whole shape of it.
What changes from person to person is the fee, the wait time, and where you apply, since these depend on whether you go through your local District or Area Administration Office, the Department of Passports in Kathmandu, or a Nepali mission abroad. Each path has different rules, and picking the wrong one is the most common source of delay.
This guide walks through the entire process in order, using current official guidance, so you can see exactly where you stand before you start.
Last updated: August 2026 Fees verified against nepalpassport.gov.np: August 2026Nepal Passport Renewal at a Glance
| Item | Current Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application | Online pre-enrollment |
| Application Type | Renewal |
| Appointment | Required |
| Citizenship certificate | Original required at appointment |
| Existing passport | Original required at appointment |
| National ID | Mandatory number if 16+ and applying in Nepal |
| Passport options | 34 or 66 pages |
| Regular service | District/Area Administration Office (DAO/AAO) |
| Expedited service | Department of Passports, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu only |
| Biometrics | Completed in person, cannot be done online |
| Application status | Can be checked online |
Verified against current Department of Passports guidance. Individual cases (lost, damaged, minors, applications abroad) follow modified versions of this, covered in detail below.
How to Renew a Nepali Passport
Here's the full sequence from start to finish. Each step is explained in more depth further down the page.
- Check whether renewal, rather than a Lost, Damaged, or fresh application, is the right category for your situation.
- Open the official passport application system.
- Select Renewal as your application type.
- Choose your passport type: 34 or 66 pages.
- Select your application location: DAO/AAO, Department of Passports, or a mission abroad.
- Complete the online form, matching your details exactly to your citizenship record.
- Upload the required documents where the form requests them.
- Book an available appointment date and time.
- Save and download the barcode and QR-coded application copy.
- Pay the applicable fee using the correct procedure for your chosen office.
- Attend your appointment with all original documents.
- Complete document verification and biometric enrollment in person.
- Track your application using the reference details from your submission.
- Collect your new passport once you're notified it's ready.
When Can You Renew a Nepali Passport?
Official guidance is fairly direct about this: renew whenever you actually need to. An expired passport sitting unused doesn't have to be renewed until you need it again. But if your current passport still has more than a year of validity, you can still apply for renewal early in several specific circumstances:
This distinction matters a lot: Renewal, Lost/Stolen, Damaged and New/First Issuance are different application types in the system, and picking the wrong one is a common, avoidable mistake.
Renewal
Your current or recently expired passport is intact and in your possession. You're replacing it as a normal course of action.
Lost/Stolen
You no longer have the passport because it was lost or stolen. This is a separate category with its own fee tier and reporting step, not a normal renewal.
Damaged
You have the passport, but it's torn, water-damaged, or otherwise unreadable or unusable. This also falls into the higher fee tier, not standard renewal.
New/First Issuance
You have never held a passport before. This is a different application type with its own document set, mainly relevant for first-time applicants and children.
Documents Required for Nepali Passport Renewal
Documents to Upload Online
During pre-enrollment, you'll typically upload clear scans or photos of your citizenship certificate and your current passport's bio-data page, along with your photo if the system requests it. Make sure scans are well-lit, uncropped, and fully readable, since blurry uploads are a common reason applications get sent back for correction.
Original Documents to Take to Your Appointment
A few situations call for extra documents: if your date of birth differs between your citizenship and an SLC/SEE certificate and you want the educational record to apply, bring that certificate. If your name is changing because of marriage or divorce, bring the marriage registration or divorce certificate. If any detail on your citizenship itself was recently corrected, bring proof of that correction too.
Passport Renewal Documents for Minors
Minor applications are handled differently from adult renewals, and the two shouldn't be mixed into one checklist. For a minor renewing or receiving their first passport through the Department of Passports, you'll generally need: the minor's original birth certificate or minor identity card, minor identity card verification from the district/area office (for first applications through the Department), both parents' original citizenship certificates, and the parents' marriage registration certificate. A parent must be present with the child at the appointment.
Prepare passport form details faster
Use these browser-based tools before filling the passport portal: convert BS/AD dates, check exact age, and prepare Nepali Unicode text for online forms.
How to Apply for Nepal Passport Renewal Online
Step 1: Open the Official Passport Application Portal
Start at the Department of Passports' own website, nepalpassport.gov.np, and use the official pre-enrollment link from there. Never fill out your details on a third-party or agent website; the passport system is entirely free to use directly.
Step 2: Register or Continue Without an Account
The portal walks you through creating your pre-enrollment application. Use a mobile number and email you actually check, since appointment confirmations and status updates are sent to these details.
Step 3: Select Renewal
Someone who previously held an MRP or ePassport normally selects Renewal. This distinction matters: the system treats Renewal, Lost/Stolen, Damaged and New Application as separate paths with different documents and fees, covered above.
Step 4: Choose Passport Type
Pick either a 34-page or 66-page ordinary ePassport. The 66-page option costs more and mainly benefits frequent travelers who fill visa pages quickly.
Step 5: Choose Application Location
This decision affects both your fee and your timeline. A District or Area Administration Office gives you regular service only. The Department of Passports in Kathmandu gives you expedited service only. The two are not interchangeable, and this is covered in detail in the fees and locations sections below.
Step 6: Enter Personal Information
Match your name, date of birth and other details exactly to your citizenship certificate, including spacing and spelling. Mismatches between your form and your citizenship are one of the most common causes of delay.
Step 7: Enter Citizenship and National ID Details
If you're 16 or older and applying within Nepal, entering your National Identity Number is mandatory on the form. If you're under 16, or you're applying through a mission abroad, this field is not required.
Step 8: Upload Documents
Upload clear, complete scans of your citizenship certificate and current passport. Follow whatever file format and size guidance the portal displays at the time you apply, since these technical requirements can be updated by the Department.
Step 9: Choose Appointment Date and Time
Select from the available slots at your chosen office. If no slots appear available, check back rather than assuming none exist; availability changes as other applicants complete or cancel bookings. Don't expect a guaranteed same-day or next-day slot unless the system actually shows one.
Step 10: Submit and Save the Application
Once submitted, download or screenshot your barcode and QR-coded application copy. This reference is what connects your online submission to your in-person appointment, and you'll need it both at your appointment and if you want to check your status later.
Nepal Passport Renewal Fees
Regular Service Fees
| Passport Type | Pages | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, Renewal | 34 | NPR 12,000 |
| Adult, Renewal | 66 | NPR 20,000 |
This is the base fee, applicable through a District or Area Administration Office. Regular service is not available at the Department of Passports in Kathmandu, which offers expedited service only.
Expedited/Urgent Service Fees
| Passport Type | Pages | Base Fee | Expedited Surcharge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult, Renewal | 34 | NPR 12,000 | +NPR 7,000 | NPR 19,000 |
| Adult, Renewal | 66 | NPR 20,000 | +NPR 10,000 | NPR 30,000 |
Expedited service is available only by applying in person at the Department of Passports, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. It is not available at DAOs, AAOs, or Nepali missions abroad.
34-Page vs 66-Page Passport
Both are standard ordinary ePassports with identical validity rules; the only functional difference is the number of pages available for visa stamps. The 66-page passport costs more across every fee category. Unless you travel frequently enough to fill visa pages quickly, the 34-page option is usually the more practical and economical choice.
Fees for Minors
| Category | 34 Pages | 66 Pages |
|---|---|---|
| New/Renewal, under 10 years | NPR 9,500 | NPR 14,500 |
| Lost/Damaged, under 10 years | NPR 14,500 | NPR 19,500 |
Children 10 and older generally fall under standard adult fee tiers. The expedited surcharge structure applies on top of these base fees in the same way as for adults, if applying through the Department in Kathmandu.
Lost or Damaged Passport Fees
| Category | 34 Pages | 66 Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, Lost or Damaged | NPR 17,000 | NPR 25,000 |
| Under 10 years, Lost or Damaged | NPR 14,500 | NPR 19,500 |
If a passport becomes unusable due to a genuine department, mission, or office printing error, official guidance states the replacement is issued free of charge. If the error is on the applicant's side, the standard new-passport fee applies instead.
What you actually pay depends on several factors together, not any single one: the number of pages, the applicant's age, whether it's a standard renewal or a lost/damaged replacement, and whether you choose regular or expedited service. Always confirm the current fee on the official portal before paying, since government fee schedules can be revised.
How to Pay the Nepal Passport Renewal Fee
Payment is made through the method shown on the official portal or at your chosen office at the time of application, generally a bank voucher, cash receipt, or the Department's own online payment option where available. Not every applicant will use the same payment channel; it depends on your selected service and location, so follow what the portal actually presents to you rather than assuming one universal method.
Keep your receipt or payment confirmation safe, whether printed or as a clear screenshot. You'll typically need to show it both at your appointment and when collecting your finished passport. Never pay through a link, agent, or account that isn't part of the official government payment process.
How to Book a Nepal Passport Appointment
After completing the online form, you'll choose your enrollment location and then pick from the dates and times currently shown as available. Save your appointment confirmation, either printed or as a screenshot on your phone, and bring it with you.
If no appointment slots appear available for your preferred office, check again over the following days rather than assuming none will open, since availability shifts as other applicants complete, reschedule, or cancel their bookings. There's no officially confirmed trick for guaranteeing a slot at a specific time, and any claims about a fixed release schedule should be treated with caution unless the Department itself states it.
Bring your original documents, not just copies, to your appointment. What to bring is covered in the documents section above.
Where Can You Renew a Passport in Nepal?
District Administration Office / Area Administration Office
This is where regular service is available. You apply at the DAO or AAO that issued your citizenship certificate. Official guidance indicates the passport is typically ready within roughly 10 to 30 days after registration, with the exact timing depending on the distance and transport link between your district and the Department in Kathmandu, where passports are printed.
Department of Passports, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu
This office provides expedited service only, not regular service. If you need your passport urgently and can't wait for the regular DAO/AAO timeline, applying here typically gets you a finished passport in around 2 working days, at the higher expedited fee described above.
Nepali Embassy or Consulate Abroad
Nepali citizens outside Nepal generally apply through the Nepali embassy or consulate responsible for the country they're in, or the nearest mission with responsibility for that country if there's no local office. Missions offer regular service only, and processing, fees and required steps can differ by mission, so check your specific embassy or consulate's current published instructions directly. This is covered in more depth in the section on renewing from abroad below.
Regular vs Expedited Passport Renewal
| Feature | Regular | Expedited |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | DAO / AAO | Department of Passports, Kathmandu only |
| Fee (34 pages) | NPR 12,000 | NPR 19,000 (base + surcharge) |
| Fee (66 pages) | NPR 20,000 | NPR 30,000 (base + surcharge) |
| Processing | Roughly 10–30 days, per official guidance | Roughly 2 working days, per official guidance |
| Appointment | Required, at your chosen DAO/AAO | Required, at the Department in Kathmandu |
| Best for | Non-urgent renewals | Urgent cases needing a fast turnaround |
DAOs, AAOs and missions abroad offer regular service only. The Department of Passports in Kathmandu offers expedited service only. You cannot get regular-priced service at the Department, or expedited service anywhere outside it.
How Long Does Passport Renewal Take in Nepal?
Several things can push actual delivery beyond these targets: how far your application office sits from Kathmandu, how quickly your documents pass verification, current workload at the printing center, technical issues, national holidays, and other exceptional circumstances. None of these are things Merokalam or you can control from the applicant side.
Because of this, avoid booking non-refundable international travel around an assumed passport delivery date. Treat the official processing guidance as a planning estimate, and build in extra buffer time wherever your travel plans allow it.
What Happens at Your Passport Appointment?
Expect roughly this sequence once you arrive with your documents: a staff member verifies your original documents against your online submission, checks your identity, and then you move to biometric capture, where your fingerprints, a live photo, and your signature are recorded. Your application details are confirmed with you before final submission, and you receive an acknowledgment slip with your reference number.
This is your last real opportunity to catch a mistake before it's locked into a new passport. Carefully check your name, date of birth, birthplace and other personal details on-screen or on your printed form before confirming submission. A correction after printing is far more work than catching it here.
How to Check Nepal Passport Application Status
The Department of Passports provides an online status check directly on its homepage at nepalpassport.gov.np. You'll typically need to enter details such as your citizenship number, date of birth, place of birth and surname to look up your application. Keep these details, along with your application reference, on hand whenever you check.
If your status shows as ready, you'll usually also receive an SMS or email notification. There's no need to repeatedly call or visit the office asking about a status that hasn't changed yet; notifications are sent automatically once your passport is ready for collection.
What If Your Nepali Passport Is Lost or Stolen?
Report the loss as soon as you notice it, at your nearest application center, with your identity documents. This gets the passport formally cancelled so it can't be misused. You'll then submit a completely new application under the Lost category, at the higher fee shown in the fees section above.
If your old passport turns up after you've already been issued a replacement, contact your registration center right away to have the found passport formally cancelled. Lost passport details are shared internationally, and traveling on a passport that's officially flagged as lost can trigger immigration action in the country you're entering.
What If Your Passport Is Damaged?
A passport that's torn, water-damaged, has illegible pages, or is otherwise unusable falls under the Damaged category, not standard renewal, and carries the same higher fee tier as a lost passport (NPR 17,000 for 34 pages, NPR 25,000 for 66 pages, per current guidance). You'll submit the damaged passport itself along with your new application, and the rest of the process, documents, appointment, biometrics, follows the same pattern as a standard renewal.
What If Your Passport Has a Name, Date of Birth or Other Error?
What you need here genuinely depends on the type and source of the discrepancy, so treat the following as a starting point rather than a universal fix. A simple online form edit does not resolve a legal identity discrepancy; supporting documents are required.
If your discrepancy doesn't fit neatly into any of these, or you're not sure which supporting document applies, contact the Department of Passports directly, or raise it with your DAO/AAO, rather than guessing.
How to Renew a Nepali Passport From Abroad
If your country doesn't have a dedicated Nepali embassy or consulate, a nearby mission is usually designated to handle applications for it. Official guidance suggests roughly 15 to 30 days for processing through a mission, though this genuinely varies office to office, so check with your specific mission for a realistic estimate rather than relying on a single number here.
Documents required abroad closely mirror the domestic list: your barcode/QR application copy, your original citizenship certificate, your original current passport, and your fee payment receipt. A special provision exists for children born abroad to Nepali parents who don't yet have a minor identity card; the embassy can issue a birth registration or temporary number to use in place of a citizenship number, alongside both parents' citizenship and passport copies, their marriage certificate, and the child's birth registration.
Fees, appointment systems, payment methods, document requirements and processing times may vary by diplomatic mission. Do not assume that Kathmandu's fees or timelines apply worldwide. Always check your specific country's Nepali mission for its own current, official instructions before applying. If you're specifically in the USA, UK, Australia or the UAE, Merokalam's dedicated guide to renewing a Nepali passport abroad covers each embassy's fees, documents and appointment process individually.
If you need to return to Nepal before your passport is ready at your mission, you can generally ask the mission to forward it to the Department in Kathmandu for direct collection, bringing the mission's recommendation letter, your old passport or travel document, and your payment receipt. One thing that isn't possible: having a relative in Nepal collect an urgently-needed passport on your behalf while you remain abroad; personal appearance for enrollment cannot be substituted this way.
Common Passport Renewal Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Selecting New instead of Renewal | Confirm you previously held an MRP or ePassport before choosing your application type. |
| Choosing Lost/Damaged incorrectly, or the reverse | Use the decision guide earlier in this article to pick the right category before you start. |
| Spelling your name differently from your citizenship | Copy your name character by character from your citizenship certificate. |
| Entering the wrong date of birth | Double-check against your citizenship, not a habit or an ID card you're used to. |
| Getting your birthplace wrong | Match your citizenship record exactly, not the place you currently live. |
| Entering the wrong previous passport number | Copy it directly from your current passport's bio-data page. |
| Missing National ID information | Have your National ID card or number ready before you start the form, if you're 16 or older. |
| Uploading unreadable documents | Scan in good lighting, with all edges visible, and check the file opens clearly before submitting. |
| Choosing the wrong application location | Remember DAOs/AAOs offer regular service only, and the Department in Kathmandu offers expedited service only. |
| Paying the wrong fee | Match your fee to your exact category: adult or minor, standard or lost/damaged, regular or expedited. |
| Forgetting original documents at the appointment | Use the checklist in this guide before you leave home. |
| Losing the barcode/application reference | Save a digital copy in more than one place, not just a single screenshot. |
| Assuming the entire process is online | Remember biometric enrollment always requires an in-person appointment. |
Before You Go to Your Passport Appointment
A short, practical checklist you can screenshot or print before you leave home:
Nepal Passport Renewal FAQs
Official Nepal Passport Resources
Go straight to the official government systems for these actions
Merokalam is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Department of Passports or the Government of Nepal. This guide explains the process in plain language; all actual applications, payments and appointments must be completed on the Department's own official systems linked above.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Nepali passport renewal and is not individual legal or immigration advice. Requirements and fees can change; confirm anything important with the Department of Passports or your relevant Nepali diplomatic mission before applying.
If you're renewing a straightforward, undamaged passport that's simply approaching expiry, the path is genuinely this short: pick Renewal, fill the form carefully, book your appointment, bring your documents, and show up. Everything else in this guide exists for the exceptions, lost passports, damaged ones, errors, applications from abroad, so that when your situation isn't the simple case, you still know exactly what to do next.