Where to Find Passport Book Number on Indian Passport 2026?

Indian travellers spend lots of time searching for where to find passport book number on Indian passport when filling in the DS-160, Schengen, or Canadian visa form, only to lose their way and commit errors on the form. The Indian passports lack a passport book number, and this mere fact avoids wastage of time, whereas the field is present in international applications that are built on US or Canadian passports, which have a booklet tracker. Instead, an 8-character passport number on the biodata page and a 12-character file number on the final page are used, which are verified by MEA and Passport Seva. This guide gives precise positions, visa form options such as Does not apply to passport book number, and does not commit the most common error of putting the file number in the wrong place.

Where to Find Passport Book Number on Indian Passport?

There is no direct answer to where to find passport book number on Indian passport, as Indian passports do not have a passport book number. It is a frequently asked question when filling out the international visa application systems, such as the DS-160 to visa the US, Canadian IRCC applications, or Schengen visa applications, where the field is required to take a booklet tracking code that countries such as the US and Canada use.

India adheres to the standards of ICAO with only 2 identifiers of the where to find passport book number on Indian passport: the 8-character passport number printed on the top-right corner of the biodata page and the 12-character file number on the final page to track the passport administratively. The passport book number field is the most confusing part of the application to many Indian applicants since forms are applied everywhere globally, but MEA passports omit it completely to prevent duplication.

Also Read: Do We Need a Passport for Andaman? Latest Guide

Does an Indian Passport Have a Passport Book Number?

Where to find passport book number on Indian passport? This item is not merely part of the Indian passport format. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issues passports with a passport number only and a file number only. A passport book number is an inventory/tracking code in the international system, which countries such as the US use to identify the physical passport booklet in case of issuance and recovery of lost documents. India does not even bother with this, adhering to ICAO standards that place the passport number as the only identifier for travelling.

Professional Advice: Do not type in your file number or passport number in a passport book number field. This is among the fatal mistakes that Indian applicants commit on the DS-160, and it might cause processing delays or form validation errors.

Where Is the Passport Number Located on an Indian Passport?

Where to find passport book number on Indian passport, it is an 8-character alphanumeric number, which is found at the top right corner of the biodata page (first page consisting of your photo and personal details). It is also presented in MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) lines at the bottom of the same page. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to locate the passport number in an Indian passport:

1. Turn to the first page inside of your passport (biodata/data page with photo, name, DOB).

2. The 8-character code appears in the upper right corner.

3. New e-passport format (2025): With the e-passport implementation in India by MEA.

4. Check MRZ (two lines of characters underneath the photo). Here, automated processing is done on the scanners of the airport.

Expert Advice: Your major identification during travel is your passport number, which is on the biodata page. In case you are filling out any visa form, and you are not sure what number to fill in, the 8-character code on the top-right corner of your first page is always the correct one to choose.

Also Read: What is the File Number in a Passport?

Where Is the File Number on an Indian Passport?

An Indian passport has a file number engraved on its final print page, which is a 12-digit alphanumeric code. The Passport Seva system only utilises it in the internal administration; it is not a travel identifier and must not be typed into the passport book number. The following is the step-wise location of the file number where to find passport book number on Indian passport:

1. Turn to the back printed page of your passport (which, as a rule, is on the opposite side of the page with instructions or before blank visa pages).

2. Find the title of the file in the form of file no. or file number.

3. You will notice a 12-character code, and it is usually written using slashes.

Professional Clause: The file number is an administrative code. In case a visa form requires a passport book number, and you write a file number, the system can give an alert that there is an error, leave the book number blank, or write N/A.

What Is the Difference Between Passport Number, File Number, and Passport Book Number?

A passport number makes you a recognised traveller (for all visa and travel applications). The file number is an Indian government monitoring tracking number. A code of a booklet inventory, called by some countries (not India), where to find passport book number on Indian passport book number.

How to Fill the Passport Book Number Field on DS-160 for Indian Passport Holders?

Where to find passport book number on Indian passport filling out the US DS-160 visa application form, select "Does Not Apply" in the passport book number field. Do not enter your passport number, file number, or any other code in this field. Step-by-step DS-160 passport book number India guide:

1. Log in to the US State Department's DS-160 portal at ceac.state.gov.

2. Navigate to the "Passport Information" section.

3. Enter your standard 8-character passport number in the "Passport/Travel Document Number" field.

4. When you reach "Passport Book Number (if any)", check "Does Not Apply" or click "No". 

5. Do not enter anything else in this field.

6. Continue filling the rest of the form.

Expert Takeaway: The DS-160 system will not reject a correctly completed form where the passport book number is marked "Does Not Apply." In fact, entering incorrect data here is a leading cause of DS-160 validation errors for Indian applicants, so the correct answer is always to leave it as "Not Applicable."

Also Read: How to Get a Job Abroad After an MBA from India?

What Should Indian Applicants Enter for Passport Book Number on Other Visa Forms?

For any visa Canada, Australian, Schengen, or other Indian passport holders should either leave the passport book number field blank, select "Not Applicable," or enter "N/A." The answer stays consistent: Indian passports do not have this number. Here's what to enter across major visa forms beyond DS-160 for where to find passport book number on Indian passport:

Expert Takeaway: The rule is the same across every country's visa form: if you hold an Indian passport and a form asks for a passport book number, the correct answer is always "Not Applicable." There are no exceptions.

What Does the Indian E-Passport System Look Like in 2025, and Does It Include a Book Number?

India's e-passports where to find passport book number on Indian passport, which began rolling out in 2024–2025, contain an embedded microchip storing biometric data. Despite this digital upgrade, Indian e-passports still do not include a passport book number. The numbering system remains the same an 8-character passport number only. MEA launched e-passports as a nationwide initiative to enhance security. Key changes with e-passports:

• Embedded microchip with biometrics (fingerprints, facial recognition).

• Enhanced security: RFID chip, digital signature for forgery protection.

• Passport number format: Some use 2 letters and 6 digits vs older 1 letter and 7 digits, still 8 characters total, backwards compatible.

Expert Takeaway: India's shift to e-passports in 2025 is a major security upgrade, but it changes nothing about the passport book number question. E-passport holders should handle visa forms identically to older passport holders; the book number field remains "Not Applicable."

What Are the Common Mistakes Indian Applicants Make With the Passport Book Number Field?

The most common mistake is entering the file number for where to find passport book number on Indian passport (12-character code from the last page) into the passport book number field on DS-160 and other visa forms. This causes validation errors and can delay application processing. The correct action is always to mark the field "Does Not Apply" or "N/A." Here are the top 4 mistakes Indian applicants make with passport book number fields:

1. Entering the File Number: The file number looks official (e.g., DEL/A123456/2025) and is the only "extra" number in an Indian passport; many assume it must be the passport book number. It is not.

2. Entering the Passport Number Twice: Some put their standard 8-character passport number in the book number field thinking it's required. This is redundant and triggers form errors.

3. Leaving the Field Blank Without "Does Not Apply": On mandatory fields, blank entries without checking the right box block submission.

4. Using Old/Expired Passport Numbers: Always use details from your current, valid passport.

Expert Takeaway: If you've already submitted a DS-160 with an incorrect passport book number entry, you'll need to create a new DS-160 application; a submitted DS-160 cannot be edited. Always double-check this field before final submission.

Also Read: Do We Need Passport for Andaman? Latest Guide

How Can TerraTern Help You With Your Passport Book Number Problem?

Struggling to find where to find passport book number on Indian passport type or facing DS-160 errors? TerraTern specialises in solving these exact Indian passport challenges for visa applicants worldwide.

• Expert DS-160 Review: We check passport book number, file number, and all identifiers before submission with no validation errors.

• Multi-Country Visa Guidance: Clear instructions for passport book number on Canada IRCC, Schengen, UKVI, Australia forms "Does Not Apply" every time.

• E-passport Verification: Confirm 2025 e-passport formats (2-letter prefixes) match your visa application requirements.

• Form Error Recovery: Fix rejected DS-160 applications caused by file number mix-ups or blank passport book number fields.

• Personalised Passport Audits: We locate your passport number (biodata), file number (last page), and confirm no passport book number exists.

Latest Updates in the Indian Passport System in 2026

In 2025, India accelerated its e-passport rollout and updated its Passport Seva portal. None of these changes introduced a passport book number to Indian passports. The DS-160 form was also updated by the US State Department to provide clearer guidance for Indian applicants in this field. 5 current facts on where to find passport book number on Indian passport:

• E-Passport Rollout (2024–2025): MEA issued chip-embedded e-passports with RFID technology and ICAO-compliant biometrics with no passport book number added.

• New Passport Number Format: Some e-passports use a 2-letter prefix (e.g., AB123456) vs older 1-letter (e.g., A1234567), still 8 characters total.

• DS-160 Interface Update (2025): The US State Department revised for better instructions on the passport book number for those without it, like India.

• MEA Confirmation: Existing passport numbering policy unchanged, no passport book number.

• Passport Seva Portal Upgrade: Enhanced tracking; file number remains an internal reference.

Conclusion

Where to find passport book number on Indian passport has a straightforward answer: Indian passports do not have one. This single fact eliminates confusion across DS-160, Schengen, Canada IRCC, and all international visa forms where the field appears. Use your 8-character passport number from the biodata page top-right for all travel and visa needs, reserve the 12-character file number from the last page strictly for Passport Seva and MEA admin tasks, and always select "Does Not Apply" or "N/A" for passport book number fields. For seamless applications, TerraTern, our experts ensure your Indian passport details match every form perfectly.

For official Indian passport details, including passport number and file number usage, visit the Passport Seva portal.