Correcting Your Birth Date in Bangladesh Passport: Essential Documents Required
Valid National ID (NID) or Birth Certificate
One of the most critical documents required for correcting your birth date in a Bangladesh passport is an authenticated proof of your actual date of birth. This can typically be demonstrated through either a valid National ID card (NID) or an official, computer-generated Birth Certificate issued by the Bangladesh authorities. The NID or birth certificate must match the desired corrected date of birth.
Affidavit from First Class Magistrate
An affidavit is a sworn statement signed before a First-Class Magistrate, attesting to the correct date of birth. It is necessary to get this document legally processed and notarized. This ensures that the applicant is fully responsible for the information provided, and it provides an additional layer of verification that the requested change is valid.
Previous Passport Photocopy
A photocopy of the existing passport where the incorrect date of birth was originally mentioned is mandatory. This helps the authorities cross-reference the error and initiate the process for correction. Be sure to photocopy the main bio-page of the passport and attach it with your application.
Application Form for Passport Correction
Applicants must download and fill out the prescribed “Passport Correction Form” available either online via the Department of Immigration and Passports website or at designated offices. The completed form must clearly state the reason for requesting a correction of the date of birth and include all supporting documents.
Supporting Educational or Employment Documents (if applicable)
In some cases, additional documentation, such as educational certificates, school-leaving certificates, or employment records, may be requested to further substantiate the correction of the birth date. These documents should also reflect the correct date of birth to avoid any discrepancies during the verification process.
Fee Payment Receipt
The date of birth correction request in a Bangladesh passport comes with a specific processing fee. Upon payment, applicants are required to submit the receipt of their transaction as part of the documentation. The payment is often made through approved financial institutions or online portals linked to the immigration office.
Legal Process for Date of Birth Modification in Bangladesh Passport
Petition Through a Lawyer
To initiate the legal process for changing the date of birth on your Bangladesh passport, it is essential to file a petition with the help of a lawyer. A specialized lawyer will draft and submit the petition on your behalf, specifically requesting the court’s permission to amend the date of birth on both your National ID (NID) and passport. This legal petition serves as the foundation for obtaining judicial approval.
Submission of Court Order
Once the legal petition has been filed, the court will conduct hearings and review all the evidence and documents submitted to substantiate the claim. If the court is satisfied with the provided information, it will issue a legal order that mandates relevant government authorities to modify the date of birth on all official documents, including the passport. This court order will need to be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Passports as well as the Election Commission for further processing.
Gazette Notification (if Required)
In some cases, the court may require individuals to publish a notification in the government gazette, which serves as an official public statement about the change in the date of birth. The purpose of this requirement is to make the modification transparent and efficient while allowing any objections to be raised within a specified period. This gazette notification is a critical step before finalizing the amendment to the passport.
Verification from Relevant Authorities
After receiving the court order or gazette notification, pertinent authorities such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Immigration and Passports will independently verify the authenticity of the documents. This verification process is to ensure that no fraudulent changes are being made and that the new date of birth complies with national record-keeping standards.
Reissuance of National ID with Corrected Date of Birth
Before making any changes to the passport, you will need to apply for a corrected National ID (NID) reflecting the new, legally corrected date of birth. The Election Commission of Bangladesh handles this process, and a successful application will result in a new NID card, which serves as essential proof for the passport amendment.
Final Submission for Passport Amendment
With all legal documents in hand, including the court order, updated National ID, and any required gazette notifications, you can finally submit your application for the correction to the passport authorities. This step involves submitting an application form, attaching all supporting documents, and paying any applicable fees for the issuance of the new passport containing the corrected date of birth.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing Birth Date in Bangladesh Passport
Submitting Incomplete or Mismatched Documents
One of the most common mistakes applicants make is submitting incomplete or mismatched documents. For instance, if the birth certificate you present reflects a different date from your National ID (NID), your application will likely be rejected. Make sure that all supporting documents, including your NID, birth certificate, and educational records, align with the corrected date of birth to avoid unnecessary delays.
Skipping Legal Procedures
Many applicants are unaware that changing the date of birth in a Bangladesh passport involves legal processes beyond simply filing an application. You must obtain a court order approving the change, which requires hiring a qualified lawyer to draft and submit the petition. Skipping this step may lead to rejection by passport authorities, as they usually require legal backing for such modifications.
Failing to Incorporate Gazette Notification (if Required)
In certain cases, the authorities may request that a gazette notification be published to officially announce the date of birth change. Applicants often overlook this requirement, assuming it’s unnecessary. Failing to comply with this directive can result in the authorities refusing to process your passport correction until the gazetted notification has been issued and made publicly available.
Overlooking the Reissuance of Corrected National ID
Another mistake applicants make is not updating their National ID (NID) before applying for the passport change. Your NID must reflect the new, legally corrected date of birth, as it serves as a key document for verifying your identity. Applying for passport correction without first obtaining an updated NID can lead to complications or outright rejection.
Delaying Fee Payment or Submitting Incorrect Receipts
All requests for altering the date of birth in your passport involve a processing fee. Failing to make timely payment or submitting an incorrect receipt can stall the entire process. Be sure to verify the amount due and pay through the approved methods, keeping a proper record of your transaction to include with your application.
Disregarding Verification Processes
The verification stage is critical in ensuring error-free documentation and preventing fraudulent changes. Some applicants underestimate the importance of this step by not following up with the necessary authorities, such as the Department of Immigration and Passports, or by providing insufficient evidence. Ensure that all documents submitted are authentic and verifiable to facilitate smooth processing during this stage.
Timeline and Cost: Updating Birth Date in Your Bangladesh Passport
Estimated Time for Processing the Correction
Correcting the date of birth in your Bangladesh passport is not an immediate process, and the timeline can vary depending on several factors such as the complexity of your case and the speed at which the required court orders and documents are obtained. Generally, it takes approximately one to two months from the time you file your application until the actual passport correction is made. This timeframe includes steps like obtaining a court order, updating your National ID (NID), and undergoing document verification.
Once you have all the necessary documents ready and submitted, the actual passport processing itself is usually done within 15-30 business days. However, delays may occur if additional verifications are needed or if there is a backlog of applications at the Department of Immigration and Passports.
Factors That Could Influence the Timeline
The timeline for the passport correction process can vary due to several influencing factors. Legal procedures, such as receiving a favorable court decision for changing your birth date, can take longer if the court is heavily booked or if there are any complications with your submitted documents. Additionally, publishing a gazette notification (if required) can further prolong the timeline, as this step usually requires public availability for a set period before other actions can proceed.
Verification from various government agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Election Commission, is another factor. Any discrepancies or additional checks required may introduce further delays. Therefore, it’s advisable to anticipate these possibilities when planning to update your passport.
Cost Breakdown for Birth Date Correction
The cost to update your date of birth in your Bangladesh passport typically involves several components. First, there are legal fees associated with filing a petition through a lawyer, usually ranging between BDT 5,000 to BDT 20,000, depending on the lawyer’s expertise. Filing court petitions also comes with additional judicial fees.
After the legal proceedings, you will need to pay passport amendment charges. As of recent updates, the passport reissuance fee for regular service is around BDT 3,450, while expedited service can cost up to BDT 6,900. If a gazette notification is required, there will be separate publication costs that can range from BDT 500 to BDT 1,000.
Ensure you keep receipts for all payments, as they will need to be attached to your application.
Other Potential Costs and Fees
In addition to the basic costs related to legal and passport services, there might be incidental costs that applicants should budget for. For example, reissuing your National ID to reflect the corrected date of birth might incur additional expenses that could range from BDT 300 to BDT 500. Furthermore, photocopying and notarizing documents, as well as transportation costs for frequent trips to passport offices, should also be taken into consideration.
Handling these additional expenses promptly will ensure that your passport correction process runs as smoothly as possible, without unexpected financial delays. It’s important to stay informed about any potential changes to the Bangladesh government’s fee structure as these amounts can get updated periodically.
Official Procedures for Birth Date Amendment in Bangladesh Passport System
Step 1: Submitting an Application to the Passport Office
The first step in officially amending your birth date in the Bangladesh passport system is to submit an application to the Passport Office. Applicants must fill out a “Passport Correction Form,” which can be downloaded from the Department of Immigration and Passports website or acquired from the passport office. The form must clearly indicate that the request is for a birth date amendment, accompanied by all supporting documents, such as proof of correct birth date and any court orders or affidavits obtained.
Step 2: Review and Initial Verification of Documents
After submitting your completed application with the necessary documents, the passport office will conduct an initial review. During this process, they will verify the authenticity of the documents, particularly focusing on the court order, National ID (NID), and birth certificate. If discrepancies or missing documentation are discovered, applicants will be notified, and the processing will be paused until necessary corrections are submitted.
Step 3: Submission of Affidavit and Legal Documentation
The affidavit from a First Class Magistrate, along with any court orders obtained through legal proceedings, must be submitted at this stage. These documents serve as legal proof that the birth date correction has been approved by the court. Ensure you have notarized copies of all legal documents to avoid delays in the verification process conducted by the passport authorities.
Step 4: Gazette Notification Submission (if Required)
If the court mandated the publication of a gazette notification regarding the birth date change, proof of this publication must be submitted to the passport office. The gazette notification acts as an official public record acknowledging the alteration. Without this step, the authorities may not proceed with your application, especially if objections to the birth date change are allowed within a certain period after publication.
Step 5: Final Verification from the Immigration Office
Once all relevant documents have been submitted, the Department of Immigration and Passports will carry out a final verification process. This includes cross-referencing information with other government bodies, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Election Commission (for National ID verification), and any other related agencies. Only after successful validation will the authorities approve the request for a birth date amendment.
Step 6: Issuance of Passport with Corrected Date of Birth
Upon completing all legal procedures and verifications, the Department of Immigration and Passports will issue either a corrected passport or a reissued one, depending on the specifics of your case. Verified applicants will receive an updated passport containing the correct birth date. Ensure that you have paid all applicable fees, as the passport will not be issued until fee payment is confirmed.
Handling Appeals or Rejections
In some cases, the request for birth date correction may be rejected. This could occur if inconsistencies in the supporting documents are found during the verification process or if legal formalities, such as a court order or affidavit, are not adequately fulfilled. In such instances, applicants can appeal the decision by submitting further legal justification or addressing any discrepancies noted by the passport authorities.
