Bangladesh has been providing e-passport or electronic passport to every citizen of all ages since January 22, 2020. Overall, the Bangladesh Passport Department issues e-passports through a uniform application process. However, there are some differences in the rules of application based on age and occupation. There is a slight variation in the required application documents for children from newborn to 6 years and from then on up to 18 years. Today's article describes the application process of Bangladesh e-passport for children.

Documents required to apply for an e-passport for children

Photocopy of online registered birth certificate

To get an e-passport, the child’s online birth registration needs to be completed first. Whether the birth certificate is registered online can be verified through the National Birth and Death Registration website of Bangladesh. If the BRC (birth registration certificate) is displayed by the system after entering the BRC number and date of birth, then the applicant (child) is eligible for the e-passport application.

Photocopies of the national identity cards of parents

According to the Bangladesh Passport Policy, the NID (National Identity) Card of each parent is required along with the BRC in order to issue a passport to the citizens aged 6 to 20 years. The spelling of the parents’ names in English on their NID cards and the child's BRC must be the same. Even if there is a slight mistake, it has to be corrected in advance.

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3-R size photo of the child

In the case of children below 6 years of age, complications arise when taking pictures at the passport office. Therefore, a copy of the 3-R size photo with gray background printed in the lab should be taken to the passport office along with the application form. But if the child is more than 6 years old, no picture is needed.

Invoice for payment of passport fee

The e-passport fee payment invoice can be downloaded directly from the e-challan website of the Government of Bangladesh. Entering the required information, this form can be deposited in any nearest government or private bank. After receiving the invoice, the bank will issue a deposit receipt along with a customer copy of the invoice.

Copy of full fill-up online application form and schedule for e-passport

These two documents can be obtained from Bangladesh e-passport online portal, once the e-passport application is completed.

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How to apply for Bangladesh e-passport for children online

- First, it is required to sign up in Bangladesh e-passport online portal with the NID number, email id, and password. In the ‘personal information’ section, the provided information must match the applicant’s (child's) BRC document. 

- Most importantly, it is appropriate to choose ‘Others’ in the section of profession. 

- For any child under the age of 18, only a 5-year valid 46-page passport needs to be selected. 

- After submitting the application finally, a one-page online e-passport schedule copy will be available from the print summary at the very end. 

- By clicking on the download application form, the applicant can get a three-page e-passport online application along with an interview schedule.

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Interview and Biometrics for Bangladesh e-passport of Children

During the interview day, the applicant (child) must carry the printed 3-page application form along with the interview schedule. Check out the list of other required documents mentioned in the passport form and e-passport website. Usually, the required document includes photocopies of the BRC and NID cards. It would be wise to keep the original copies of BRC and NID cards along with photocopies. The applicant’s (child’s) 3-R size picture should be kept separate.

All the documents need to be submitted to the passport office under the police station for submission. In the case of a child below 6 years of age, an e-passport delivery slip will be given just after submitting the application form along with relevant documents. Because biometrics are not taken for those under 6 years of age. The 3-R size photo is used in the e-passport. 

But in the case of children above 6 years of age, the schedule of an interview is given for biometrics. Then a passport delivery slip is given after taking biometrics.

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Bangladesh E-passport application fee for children

In Bangladesh, the e-passport application fee is the same for both minors and adults. Within the country, the e-passport fee includes 15 percent VAT. The regular/General Delivery Fee for an ePassport of 48 pages with 5 years of validity is BDT. 4,025. BDT. The fee is 6,325 for express service;  while the super express costs about BDT. 8,625.

How long does it take to get an e-passport for children?

For the regular/General e-passport service, it takes 15 or 21 working days from the date of receipt of the delivery slip. This time is reduced to 7 or 10 working days for express delivery. And

It takes only 2 working days to get the passport in Super Express delivery. However, this super express facility is available only from Agargaon Passport Office, Dhaka.

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The children of government employees can get the express service at the Regular/General fee by showing their parents’ NOC (No Objection Letter) or PRL (Retirement Leave) Certificate.

Bottom line

Nowadays, by virtue of digitalisation, the application process for an e-passport for children in Bangladesh has become simple and hassle-free. The whole application process does not even require attestation of documents. Since children are getting the scope to get e-Passports before receiving academic certificates, they will hardly face any problem related to their e-passport renewal process or NID card registration in future. By providing the same information in all cases including NID Card, SSC, HSC, and TIN Certificate, there will be no hassle in national-level activities.

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