How to Get a Sri Lankan Passport

Step 01

Get your digital photo

Everyone, including children, needs a digital photo from a studio authorised by the Department, or from the studio at the Head Office or a regional office. Printed photos are not accepted.

• Find a studio on the Department's list of authorised studios (opens in a new tab)
• The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months
• The studio sends the photo online to the Department and gives you a Studio Acknowledgement Note
• Hand in the note with your application

Step 02

Fill in form K 35 A

Download the form or collect it from a Department office or your Divisional Secretariat, and complete it. Add your mobile number; you are told by SMS when the passport is ready.

Step 03

Gather originals and photocopies

Bring the original of every document with a photocopy. Hand in the following documents.

• The completed form K 35 A
• The Studio Acknowledgement Note
• Your birth certificate
• Your NIC
• The educational certificate for your profession and a document confirming your service
• Any other documents that apply to you

Step 04 · optional

Book an appointment for a regional office

You must book online (opens in a new tab) to hand in a one-day or normal service application at Kandy, Matara, Vavuniya, Kurunegala or Jaffna. Regional offices do not accept applications without a valid appointment.

Step 05

Apply in person

Go to the Passport Division at the Head Office, Suhurupaya, Battaramulla (Level 01 for the normal service, Level 02 for the urgent service), or a regional office in Kandy, Matara, Vavuniya, Kurunegala or Jaffna. Your fingerprints are taken there if you are above 16 and below 60.

Step 06

Pay the fee

Rs. 10,000 for the normal service or Rs. 20,000 for the one-day service. For a child's 3-year passport, Rs. 3,000 normal or Rs. 9,000 urgent.

Step 07

Collect your passport

The normal service takes 30 working days. The one-day service issues the passport the same day.

Step 08 · optional

Or submit your application online

You can use the Department's online system (opens in a new tab) if you are a Sri Lankan citizen living in Sri Lanka, are above 15 and have a valid existing passport, so you cannot apply online for your first passport. You need a mobile number and an email address.

• Scan your NIC and birth certificate, plus your marriage certificate, Dual Citizenship Certificate, citizenship certificate under section 5(2) or 11 of the Citizenship Act, or employer's letter if they apply. Each file must be a JPEG under 5 MB.
• Fill in the application in English and choose the urgent or normal service. If you already have a photo acknowledgement, enter its number.
• Choose where to go, either the Head Office, a regional office or a Department for Registration of Persons unit at a Divisional Secretariat (DS-DRP)
• Pay by credit or debit card, or print the receipt and pay at a Bank of Ceylon branch. Fees are non-refundable.
• Wait for the SMS saying the Department has accepted your application. Do not go to the office before you receive it.
• Go to the office you chose to give your fingerprints and signature, and have your photo taken if you do not have one. Bring your appointment notice, birth certificate, NIC and current passport.
• Receive the passport by courier (urgent) or registered post (normal). The Department pays the delivery charge.