How to renew Indian passport in USA, BLS India

I have recently renewed my Indian passport in USA at Houston location. I will share my case and procedure which I followed to renew my Indian passport here in USA.


Case:
Passport: Valid but about to expire soon
Visa : Expired
I 94 : Valid
Applied through : POSTAL

Overall experience level at BLS:
I didn't faced any issue in renewing my passport but still I feel BLS need to improve in the area of on process and communication.

Total Turn Around time ; 5 Weeks 1 day.

Document submitted by me as follows:
Original:
1 current Passport
2 Money order

Along with below below requested documents in order mentioned below:

1 Document checklist
2 Passport Application
3 BLS Order form
4 Nationality Verification form
5 Passport copy 1-5 pages and last page including observation page
6 Copy of Approved I 797
7 Copy of Visa
8 Driver License
9 Utility Bill
10 Marriage certificate
11 passport copy of spouse first and last page including visa copy
12  Affidavit of change in appearance and signature
13 Return shipping label
14 Degree Certificate
15 Copy of Money order
16 Copy of Spouse DL
17 Additional Spouse passport copy
18 Copy of Spouse's I 797
19 Electricity Bill India
20 Copy of Parents Passport 1st and last page

Please find below dates for your reference and Patience :)
Status from Fedex
Document sent: Jan 05(Day 0)
Document Delivered: Jan 06 (Day 1)
Application Accepted at BLS : Jan 19 (After 10 Working days)
Application Processed : Jan 19 (1 Business Day)
Application processed and submitted to Consulate: Jan 20 (1 Business Day)
Passport Received at BLS Center : Feb 3 (After 10 working days)
Passport Dispatched : Feb 3 (Same day)
Passport Received by me: Feb 10(after  7 days)

BLS Tracking update:

BLS Receipt Number => USAH000XXXXX

Current Aplication Status : Dispatched via Courier Using your Prepaid Envelope.AWB XXXXXXXXXXXX

Application accepted by BLS:19-01-2016 , 16:29

Application Processed on Date : 19-01-2016

Application Processed and submitted to Consulate : 20-01-2016 , 12:17

Passport received at BLS Center : 03-02-2016 , 13:49

Passport handed over to Applicant : -

Passport Dispatched to Applicant :03-02-2016 , 16:41

Frequently Asked question:
1 No of copies required of Nationality Verification form?
Ans: 3 copies

2 Do I need Affidavit of No status sign by green card holder ?
Ans: If you have valid visa or approved I 797 then No else yes.

3 From where I can generate Shipping label ?
Ans : UPS, FedEx or USPS.
Strongly recommended : Call BLS and generate label from them(currently they have tie up with UPS).
Reason; If you look at tracking update for my application you can see they accept document after 10 days and dispatched document to me after 7 days. Its means extra time took 17 days just because of I choose FedEx.

4  is Affidavit of change in appearance and signature mandatory ?
Ans: Yes. For Houston its mandatory.

5 How to count number of pages on passport for photocopies 
Ans : Look for Page Number mentioned. BLS need those 1-5 pages copies.

6 Do I need to include return shipping label?
Ans : Yes, If you are sending application through Postal and want home delivery.

7 Do I need to submit photo copy of Degree Certificate?
Ans: Yes,

8 Can I get my Indian address printed on new passport?
Ans: Yes, If you need same address need to be printed on new passport as old then you don't have to provide any additional document. In application form mentioned "address to be printed on passport " as you old passport.

9 What if I want to print new address from India?
Ans : Mentioned new address in the application form in section  "address to be printed on passport " and need to provided notarized address proof as mentioned on BLS site.

10 What about old passport ?
Ans : BLS will return old passport along with your new passport.

11 New passport will have same number as old passport?
Ans : No. New passport will come with new number and they will marked old passport as cancelled(using stamp)

12 How my old and new passport will be linked ?
Ans : New passport will be having old passport number and issue date mentioned. Which you can find on last page below address section.

13 Where can I do notarization ?
Ans : Walmart, Bank, or now a days every office have one notary officer.

14 How to generate shipping label from BLS?
Ans: Contact BLS through phone call and have your Debit/Credit Card ready to make payment.

14 How much it cost to generate shipping label from BLS?
Ans: Approximately $15 per label. Total $30 including return label.



Do you still have any question in your mind then please feel free to ask through comment or contact form.