Is a Passport Photocopy Enough at Indian Airports?
Not Allowed
Photocopies are not accepted as primary ID. Carry the original passport even for domestic flights if you intend to use it as ID.
Quick answer
Treat photocopies as a safety net, not your boarding pass. Security staff compare your face with the lamination, feel the texture of the cover, and scan the MRZ strip to pull up blacklisted alerts. A laminated copy, however pretty, fails all of these checks.
Carry at least two photocopies plus a high-quality scan in DigiLocker so you can file police complaints faster if something goes wrong. But while entering the terminal or boarding, you must hand over the physical passport or another government photo ID.
Think of it this way: the original proves who you are, the copies help you recover if the original disappears. Mixing the two roles is what causes last-minute panic at the airport gate.
Before you leave home
- ✔Keep the passport in a bright holder so you can pull it out within five seconds.
- ✔Store photocopies in a different pouch from the original to avoid losing everything together.
- ✔Upload a PDF to DigiLocker or a secure cloud vault with offline access for emergencies.
If the passport goes missing
- ✔Use the photocopy to fill the lost passport FIR at the nearest police station.
- ✔Show the copy to airline/immigration desks while they verify CCTV footage.
- ✔Contact the Indian mission (if overseas) with copy + passport photos for an emergency certificate.
When photocopies help vs when they do not
| Scenario | Photocopy accepted? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal entry / boarding | ❌ No | Security scanners need chip + UV marks on the real booklet. |
| Lost passport police report | ✅ Yes | Helps officers note the passport number and issue date. |
| Foreign visa application | ⚠️ Maybe | Some VFS counters keep copies but will still sight the original. |
Do this
- ✅ Carry the original passport even on domestic legs if that’s the ID printed on your ticket.
- ✅ Label the cover with your phone number so a good Samaritan can contact you.
- ✅ Keep a notarised copy with a trusted family member in case you need details urgently.
Avoid this
- ⚠️ Do not hand over a low-resolution phone photo when CISF asks for ID—this triggers secondary screening.
- ⚠️ Avoid leaving the passport in check-in luggage or backpacks that go on the conveyor belt.
- ⚠️ Never laminate the passport pages; heat damages the security film and voids the booklet.
FAQ
Q. Will DigiLocker or mPassport Seva count as the original?
Digital IDs are accepted only when the issuing authority explicitly lists them. For passports, DGCA still wants the physical booklet because officers must stamp and inspect the pages. DigiLocker is a backup, not a replacement.
Q. Can I show a notarised photocopy?
A notarised copy helps for bank work but aviation security still says no. They cannot attach their verification stamp to a copy, so you would be turned away at the gate.
Q. What if the passport is with the embassy for visa stamping?
Carry another government ID (Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence). Airlines allow those for domestic flights. For international flights you must wait until the passport is returned.
Tips before you fly
- ✈️ Click a photo of the biodata page under natural light—helps if you need to share details over email quickly.
- ✈️ Use RFID-blocking sleeves only if they still let officers scan the chip easily.
- ✈️ Set a calendar reminder a day before travel simply titled ‘Pack passport’ to avoid night-before stress.
Related YourTravelGuide guides
Official references
India DGCA guidelines — simplified
Verified on: 5 Dec 2025
Disclaimer: Aviation and security rules change frequently. Always confirm with your airline, airport help desk, or CISF officers before you travel.