LankaGuide

Documents Required for Sri Lankan Passport 2026 - Complete Checklist

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Getting your passport documents right is crucial for a smooth application process. This comprehensive guide provides complete checklists for every situation - whether you're applying for the first time, renewing, applying for your child, or dealing with special circumstances. We'll cover exactly what you need, document specifications, and common mistakes to avoid.

Quick Find: What Documents Do I Need?

Jump directly to your situation:

First-Time ApplicantPassport RenewalChild Under 16Dual CitizenBorn Outside Sri LankaSpecial Situations

Critical: All Documents Must Be ORIGINAL

The Immigration Department requires original documents - not photocopies, certified copies, or notarized copies (except for specific situations noted below). Bring originals AND photocopies to your appointment.

Universal Documents (Everyone Needs These)

Regardless of whether you're applying for the first time or renewing, these documents are mandatory for all applicants:

1

Birth Certificate

Requirements:

  • ORIGINAL birth certificate (not a photocopy or certified copy)
  • Must be in Sinhala, Tamil, or English (official languages of Sri Lanka)
  • Any age of birth certificate is acceptable (old or new format)
  • If name has been altered: altered birth certificate must be certified within last 6 months

Important: If your birth certificate is in another language (e.g., Arabic, German), you must get it officially translated to Sinhala, Tamil, or English by a certified translator, and the translation must be notarized.

2

National Identity Card (NIC)

Requirements:

  • Mandatory for all applicants 16 years and above
  • Original NIC card + 1 clear photocopy (front and back)
  • Both old format (9 digits + V/X) and new format (12 digits) accepted
  • Smart card or laminated card - both valid

Don't have NIC yet? If you're 16+ but don't have NIC (e.g., living abroad), you must submit a letter explaining why you don't have it yet. For children under 16, NIC is not required.

3

Completed Application Form (K-35A)

Requirements:

  • Download from: www.immigration.gov.lk
  • Fill in ENGLISH BLOCK CAPITALS only
  • No corrections or overwriting - use fresh form if you make mistakes
  • If applying online, form is filled digitally (no physical form needed)

→ Learn how to apply online

First-Time Applicants - New Passport

If you've never had a passport before, you need the universal documents listed above, PLUS the following (if applicable):

Complete Checklist:

  • Birth certificate (original)
  • National Identity Card - NIC (if 16+ years)
  • Completed application form K-35A
  • Passport photos (4 copies - if manual application)
  • Additional documents if born abroad, dual citizen, etc. (see below)

That's It!

For most first-time applicants born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents, you only need the 3-4 items above. Additional documents are only required for special situations covered later in this guide.

Passport Renewal

Renewing your passport? You need all the universal documents PLUS your current/expired passport.

Complete Renewal Checklist:

  • Birth certificate (original)
  • National Identity Card - NIC + photocopy
  • Completed application form K-35A
  • Current/expired passport (original)
  • Photocopies of passport pages 2-3 (bio data) and 4-5 (observations)

Additional Documents for Specific Renewal Cases:

Renewing more than 1 year before expiry:

Letter explaining reason (e.g., job requirement, visa requirement, insufficient pages, etc.)

Name change after marriage:

Original marriage certificate + photocopy

Legal name change:

Birth certificate with altered name (certified within 6 months) + deed poll or court order

→ Read complete passport renewal guide

Children Under 16 Years

Applying for a child's passport requires all universal documents (except NIC if under 16) PLUS additional parental consent documents.

Important Change: Children can no longer be included in parents' passports. Every child must have their own separate passport.

Complete Checklist for Children:

Standard Documents:

  • • Child's birth certificate (original)
  • • Completed application form K-35A
  • • Passport photos (if manual application)

Parental Consent Documents:

  • Parental consent letter signed by BOTH parents (download format from immigration.gov.lk)
  • Photocopies of both parents' passport bio data pages (or NICs if no passport)
  • Both parents must accompany the child during application submission (or legal guardian with proof)

Special Circumstances - Additional Documents:

One or both parents abroad:

Consent letter certified by Sri Lankan Embassy/Consulate in that country

Parents divorced:

Divorce certificate + court custody order showing legal guardian

One or both parents deceased:

Death certificate(s) + legal guardian documents

Child abandoned:

Police report + Grama Niladhari confirmation + guardian documents

Adopted child:

Adoption certificate/court order + adoptive parents' documents

→ Read complete child passport guide

Dual Citizens

If you hold dual citizenship (Sri Lankan + another country), you need additional documents to prove your dual citizenship status.

Complete Checklist for Dual Citizens:

Standard Documents (same as everyone):

  • • Birth certificate (original)
  • • National Identity Card + photocopy
  • • Completed application form K-35A

Additional Documents for Dual Citizens:

  • Dual Citizenship Certificate (original + 1 photocopy)
  • Foreign passport (photocopies of bio data pages only)
  • If renewing: Current/expired Sri Lankan passport

Note: If you haven't applied for dual citizenship yet but want to, you must do that BEFORE applying for your Sri Lankan passport. Contact the Department of Immigration for dual citizenship application procedures.

Born Outside Sri Lanka

If you were born outside Sri Lanka but are entitled to Sri Lankan citizenship (e.g., born to Sri Lankan parents abroad), you need proof of citizenship.

Complete Checklist:

Standard Documents:

  • • Birth certificate (original - from country of birth)
  • • National Identity Card (if you have one) + photocopy
  • • Completed application form K-35A

Additional Documents:

  • Citizenship Certificate (original + 1 photocopy) - proves Sri Lankan citizenship
  • If over 21 years old: Affidavit affirming retention of Sri Lankan citizenship (notarized)
  • Parents' Sri Lankan passports or NICs (photocopies) - to prove parentage
  • If birth certificate is not in Sinhala/Tamil/English: Official translation (certified and notarized)

Don't have citizenship certificate yet? You must apply for and obtain your citizenship certificate BEFORE applying for a passport. Contact the Sri Lankan embassy/consulate in your country or the Department of Immigration in Sri Lanka.

Passport Photo Requirements

Important: If applying online or at biometric centers, digital photos will be taken at the office. You DON'T need to bring physical photos. This section applies to manual/walk-in applications only.

Technical Specifications:

  • Size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (35mm x 45mm)
  • Quantity: 4 identical photos
  • Recency: Taken within last 3 months (14 days for biometric)
  • Background: Light-colored (light blue or grey - NOT white)
  • Quality: High resolution, well-lit, no shadows
  • Paper: Matte or semi-gloss photo paper

Appearance Requirements:

NOT Allowed:

  • ✗ Spectacles/glasses
  • ✗ "Pottu" (vermilion dot) on forehead
  • ✗ Heavy makeup
  • ✗ Sunglasses or tinted glasses
  • ✗ Hat or cap (except religious headwear)
  • ✗ Hair covering forehead or ears

Required:

  • ✓ Looking straight at camera
  • ✓ Neutral expression (no smiling)
  • ✓ Both ears visible
  • ✓ Forehead clearly visible
  • ✓ Face makeup-free or minimal
  • ✓ Natural skin tone (no filters)

Common Document Mistakes to Avoid

Common Mistakes:

  • ✗ Bringing photocopies instead of originals
  • ✗ Name on form doesn't match birth certificate exactly
  • ✗ Using white background for photos
  • ✗ Wearing glasses in passport photo
  • ✗ Birth certificate not in official language
  • ✗ Forgetting to bring photocopies of documents
  • ✗ Passport photo older than 3 months
  • ✗ Missing parental consent for children
  • ✗ Not bringing both parents for child application
  • ✗ Damaged or torn documents

Do This Instead:

  • ✓ Bring ORIGINAL documents + photocopies
  • ✓ Double-check name matches exactly
  • ✓ Use light blue/grey photo background
  • ✓ Remove glasses for passport photo
  • ✓ Get official translation if needed
  • ✓ Make 2 copies of each document
  • ✓ Take fresh photos within 14 days
  • ✓ Download and complete consent form
  • ✓ Ensure both parents attend
  • ✓ Keep documents in protective folder

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit photocopies instead of original documents?
No. The Immigration Department requires ORIGINAL documents - birth certificate, NIC, passport (if renewing), etc. However, you should also bring clear photocopies of everything. Officials will verify the originals and keep the photocopies for their records.
What if my birth certificate is in Sinhala but I want my passport in English?
That's perfectly fine. Your birth certificate can be in Sinhala, Tamil, or English - all are official languages and accepted. When filling the passport application form, you transliterate your name into English (convert the Sinhala/Tamil letters to English letters). Your passport will be in English regardless of which language your birth certificate is in.
My name on my NIC is slightly different from my birth certificate. Will this be a problem?
Yes, this can cause delays or rejection. Your passport will be issued based on your birth certificate name, not your NIC. If there are discrepancies (spelling, middle names, initials), you should either: (1) Use the birth certificate name on your passport application, or (2) Get your NIC corrected to match your birth certificate before applying. Small differences in initials vs. full names are usually acceptable if it's clear they refer to the same person.
Do I need to bring my parents' documents if I'm over 18?
For standard applications (born in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents, applying for first time or renewal), you only need to provide your parents' NAMES on the application form - you don't need their physical documents. However, if you're born abroad, applying as a dual citizen, or in other special situations, you may need copies of your parents' passports or NICs to prove citizenship or parentage.
What if I lost my previous passport and need to renew?
If you lost your passport, you must: (1) File a police complaint immediately and get a copy of the police report, (2) Apply for a REPLACEMENT passport (not renewal), (3) Bring: birth certificate, NIC, police report, all standard documents, (4) Pay the applicable fine (Rs. 15,000-20,000 depending on when it was lost) PLUS passport fee. This is different from renewal.
Can I use my old-format birth certificate or do I need a new one?
Both old and new format birth certificates are accepted - there's no need to get a new one if you have an old one. As long as it's an ORIGINAL birth certificate in Sinhala, Tamil, or English, it will be accepted regardless of how old the format is or when it was issued.

Disclaimer

Document requirements may be updated by the Department of Immigration. While we keep this guide current, always verify requirements on the official immigration website or by calling 1962 before submitting your application. Last updated: February 4, 2026.