Can Someone Else Receive Your Pakistani Passport?
Can Someone Else Receive Your Pakistani Passport?
When a Pakistani passport is ready for collection, many applicants wonder whether a family member, friend, colleague, or another person can collect it on their behalf.
The answer depends on the relationship of the person collecting the passport and the method through which the passport is being delivered.
According to the current guidance of the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P), when a passport is collected from a passport office, it is delivered to the applicant personally or to the applicant's blood relative. DGI&P specifically states that passports are not to be delivered to irrelevant or unrelated persons.
This means that simply giving your token, receipt, CNIC copy, or an authorization letter to a friend or unrelated person should not be assumed to be sufficient.
Can Someone Else Receive Your Pakistani Passport?
Yes, but the DGI&P's current public guidance limits collection at the passport delivery counter to the applicant or a blood relative.
The official passport application process says that, on the specified collection date, the applicant should visit the Passport Delivery counter with the original token. It then states that the passport will only be delivered to the applicant himself or herself or to a blood relative.
Therefore, the practical rule is:
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You can collect your passport yourself.
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A blood relative may be able to collect it on your behalf.
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An unrelated friend, neighbour, colleague, employee, or other person should not be expected to receive it.
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The person collecting the passport should be prepared to satisfy the passport office's identification and collection requirements.
Because passport procedures can be updated, applicants should confirm any unusual or exceptional case with the concerned Regional Passport Office or DGI&P before sending another person.
Who Is Considered a Blood Relative?
DGI&P's public guidance uses the term "blood relative" but does not provide a complete list of every relationship on the passport collection page.
In ordinary usage, blood relatives generally include close biological family members such as:
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Father
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Mother
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Son
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Daughter
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Brother
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Sister
Other family relationships may require confirmation from the concerned passport office, particularly where the relationship is more distant or the office needs supporting identification.
A husband, wife, in-law, friend, neighbour, or colleague should not automatically be treated as a blood relative merely because they are closely associated with the applicant.
If another person is going to collect your passport, it is therefore sensible to contact the relevant passport office first and ask what proof of relationship and identification will be required in your particular case.
Can a Friend Collect Your Passport?
Generally, you should not rely on a friend being allowed to collect your passport.
DGI&P's current guidance says that the passport is delivered to the applicant or the applicant's blood relative and that passports are not delivered to irrelevant persons.
For example, if you are unable to attend the passport office and ask a friend to take your token and collect your passport, the friend may be refused because a friend is not ordinarily a blood relative.
It is better to arrange collection by yourself or by an eligible blood relative rather than assuming that a friend can collect it.
Can Your Brother or Sister Collect Your Passport?
A brother or sister is a blood relative, so the DGI&P rule permits collection by a blood relative.
However, the collecting person should still be prepared to provide appropriate identification and any documents the passport office requests.
Before sending a relative, it is advisable to confirm the exact requirements with the concerned office, particularly if the applicant cannot attend personally.
Can Your Parents Collect Your Passport?
Parents are blood relatives. Therefore, the DGI&P rule regarding delivery to blood relatives covers parents.
A parent collecting the passport should carry their original identification documents and the applicant's original collection token or other documents required by the passport office.
The safest approach is to contact the concerned passport office beforehand if the applicant cannot personally appear.
Can Your Son or Daughter Collect Your Passport?
A son or daughter is a blood relative.
However, the ability to collect a passport should not be confused with the requirements for applying for a minor's passport. Passport application and passport collection are separate stages.
For collection, DGI&P's general guidance says that the passport may be delivered to the applicant or a blood relative.
If a child is being sent to collect an adult's passport, the family should confirm the office's identification requirements before doing so.
Can a Husband or Wife Collect Your Passport?
This is an important situation because a spouse is a close family member but is not a blood relative.
The current DGI&P wording specifically says "blood relative."
Therefore, applicants should not assume that a husband or wife will automatically be accepted under the blood-relative provision.
If your spouse needs to collect your passport, contact the relevant Regional Passport Office before collection and ask whether the office will allow the spouse to collect it and what supporting documents are required.
This is particularly important because local office instructions or individual circumstances may affect how the case is handled.
What Documents Should the Person Collecting the Passport Take?
DGI&P's passport collection instructions specifically mention the original token for collection.
If a blood relative is collecting the passport, it is sensible to take:
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The original passport token or collection receipt
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The collector's original CNIC or other applicable identification
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Documents that establish the family relationship, if requested
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Any additional document or authorization specifically requested by the concerned passport office
Do not assume that a photocopy of the applicant's CNIC alone will guarantee delivery.
The passport office may need to verify the identity of the person collecting the passport and the relationship with the applicant.
Is an Authorization Letter Enough?
An authorization letter should not be treated as a universal solution.
Older Pakistani passport rules contain an authorization form that contemplated authorization of another person to collect a passport in certain circumstances. However, the current DGI&P public guidance for passport collection states that passports are delivered to the applicant or a blood relative and that irrelevant persons are not to receive them.
For this reason, applicants should follow the current instructions of DGI&P and the concerned passport office rather than relying solely on an old authorization format.
If your situation is unusual, contact the passport office before collection.
What If You Are Sick or Unable to Travel?
If you cannot personally visit the passport office because of illness, disability, travel, work, or another reason, do not automatically send a friend or unrelated person.
First, contact the relevant passport office and explain your situation.
Ask specifically:
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Whether a blood relative can collect the passport.
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Which relationship will be accepted.
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Which documents the relative must bring.
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Whether an authorization letter is required.
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Whether any special procedure applies to your case.
DGI&P publishes contact information for passport-related queries and provides a national helpline at 051-111-344-777.
What If You Selected Home Delivery?
Home delivery is different from collection at a passport office.
DGI&P's FAQ states that applicants who select the Home Delivery option can have the passport delivered directly to their doorstep. Applicants who do not use Home Delivery should contact the concerned Regional Passport Office or Foreign Mission for collection.
DGI&P also maintains an Online Passport Delivery contact channel for online passport delivery issues.
If your application was submitted through an online passport service, check the delivery information associated with your application rather than assuming that the rules for an RPO collection counter are identical.
Can Someone Else Receive an Online Passport Delivery?
Online passport delivery and collection from a Regional Passport Office are not necessarily the same process.
DGI&P provides an Online Passport Delivery contact email for delivery-related issues and states that online passport applicants can receive passports at their doorstep.
If another household member is expected to receive a courier delivery, applicants should confirm the courier's delivery requirements and DGI&P's instructions for their specific application.
Do not give your tracking details or personal documents to an unrelated person simply because they offer to collect the passport.
What Happens If an Unrelated Person Goes to the Passport Office?
The person may be refused delivery.
DGI&P explicitly states that passports are delivered to the applicant or a blood relative and that passports will not be delivered to irrelevant persons.
Therefore, sending a friend, neighbour, colleague, or other unrelated person without prior confirmation can result in an unsuccessful collection attempt.
The applicant may then have to make another arrangement with the passport office.
What If the Passport Has Already Been Dispatched?
DGI&P says applicants can receive passport status information through SMS service 9988 inside Pakistan. The department also explains that passports dispatched from the production facility can take additional shipment time before reaching the relevant Regional Passport Office or Foreign Mission.
If your passport has not yet reached the collection location, check its status before travelling.
This can help avoid an unnecessary visit to the passport office.
How Can You Check Passport Status?
DGI&P provides passport status intimation through SMS. Applicants are advised to provide a valid mobile number during the application process so that they can receive status information.
DGI&P states that SMS status information is available through 9988 inside Pakistan.
If there is a problem with an online passport application or delivery, DGI&P also provides separate contact channels for online passport and online passport delivery issues.
What Should You Do Before Sending a Relative?
If you cannot collect the passport yourself, take a few precautions.
First, check whether the person you intend to send qualifies as a blood relative under the passport office's interpretation.
Second, make sure the person carries the original token or receipt.
Third, ask the concerned office what identification and relationship evidence should be carried.
Fourth, check that the passport is actually ready for collection.
Finally, if there is any uncertainty, call DGI&P or the relevant Regional Passport Office before the collection date.
Passport Collection for Minors
Minor passport applications have additional requirements.
DGI&P states that a minor applying for a passport must generally be accompanied by a parent or court-appointed legal guardian, subject to the circumstances and applicable documents.
This relates to the passport application process rather than automatically determining every collection situation.
Parents and guardians should therefore distinguish between:
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Applying for a minor's passport
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Collecting a completed minor's passport
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Collecting an adult's passport
The requirements can differ, so it is advisable to confirm the collection requirements for the particular application.
What If Your Passport Is Being Collected From an RPO?
For an application processed through a Regional Passport Office, DGI&P's published process identifies passport delivery as the final stage.
The applicant is instructed to visit the Passport Delivery counter with the original token on the given date. DGI&P then states that delivery is made to the applicant or a blood relative.
Therefore, before visiting an RPO for collection, make sure:
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The passport is ready.
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You know the collection date.
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The original token is available.
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The person collecting the passport has appropriate identification.
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A blood relationship can be established if the applicant is not attending personally.
What If the Passport Office Refuses Delivery?
If the office refuses to release the passport to the person you sent, ask the official for the reason and the correct procedure.
Do not argue that another person should receive the passport simply because they have an authorization letter or a copy of the applicant's CNIC.
If clarification is needed, contact DGI&P through its official channels. The department lists the national helpline as 051-111-344-777 and the email info@dgip.gov.pk.
For an online passport delivery issue, DGI&P also lists onlinedelivery@dgip.gov.pk as a contact for online passport delivery matters.
Important Difference Between Blood Relative and Unrelated Person
The distinction is important.
Suppose Ahmed has applied for a passport.
If Ahmed cannot attend, sending his brother may fall within DGI&P's blood-relative provision.
Sending Ahmed's friend is different. A friend is not a blood relative, so the friend should not be expected to receive the passport at the passport office.
Similarly, applicants should not automatically assume that a spouse, in-law, neighbour, colleague, or employee can collect the passport simply because the applicant has given them written permission.
For any relationship that is not clearly covered, confirm the procedure with the concerned office.
Final Advice
The safest option is to collect your Pakistani passport personally whenever possible.
If you cannot attend, DGI&P's current guidance allows delivery to a blood relative when the passport is being collected from the passport office. The official guidance does not support simply sending an unrelated person to collect the passport.
Before sending another person, check the passport status, take the original token, carry appropriate identification and relationship documents, and confirm any special requirements with the concerned passport office.
Because passport procedures and delivery arrangements can change, always verify the latest instructions with the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports before making a collection trip.
Guide Information
Eligibility
The applicant can normally collect their own passport. According to the current DGI&P guidance, a blood relative may also receive a passport collected from the passport office. Passports are not to be delivered to irrelevant or unrelated persons.
Required Documents
* Original passport token or collection receipt.
* Original CNIC or other applicable identification of the person collecting the passport.
* Documents establishing the blood relationship, if requested by the passport office.
* Any additional documents specifically requested by the concerned Regional Passport Office.
* For unusual or exceptional cases, applicants should confirm the required documents with DGI&P or the relevant passport office before collection.
Fees
There is no separate passport-collection fee identified in the current DGI&P guidance for simply having an eligible blood relative collect a passport. Normal passport issuance fees depend on the passport type, validity, pages, and processing category. Applicants should check the latest official DGI&P fee schedule before payment.
Processing Time
Passport processing time depends on the selected category. DGI&P's current information lists Fast Track, Urgent and Normal processing periods, while courier or shipment time to the destination is separate and may add additional time. Applicants should check the current official processing information for their application.WHEN TO APPLY:Passport applications should be submitted according to the applicant's travel and passport-validity needs. For collection, wait for the official status notification indicating that the passport has been dispatched or is available at the relevant collection point. DGI&P provides passport status information through SMS 9988 inside Pakistan.
Application Method
Passport applications in Pakistan are processed th
Validity Period
The validity of the passport is determined by the passport category and applicant's age. DGI&P state
Step-by-Step Process
- Confirm that your Pakistani passport application has been successfully submitted.
- Keep your original passport token or receipt safe.
- Check the passport status using the official DGI&P status service.
- Monitor SMS notifications sent through 9988 inside Pakistan.
- Wait for confirmation that the passport has been dispatched or is available for collection.
- Identify whether your passport is being collected from an RPO, another passport office, a Foreign Mission, or delivered through an online service.
- If you can attend personally, plan to collect the passport yourself.
- If you cannot attend, consider whether a blood relative can collect it.
- Confirm that the proposed collector is actually a blood relative.
- Do not automatically send a friend or unrelated person.
- Contact the concerned passport office if you are uncertain about an eligible relationship.
- Ask the office what identification the collector must bring.
- Ask whether proof of relationship is required.
- Keep the applicant's original collection token available.
- Tell the collecting relative to carry their original CNIC or applicable identification.
- Carry relationship documents if the passport office advises that they are required.
- Check the passport collection date mentioned by the office.
- Make sure the passport has reached the collection location before travelling.
- Ask the collecting relative to go to the designated Passport Delivery counter.
- The collector should clearly identify themselves to the passport official.
- The collector should explain their relationship with the applicant if asked.
- Provide the original token or collection receipt.
- Provide identification documents requested by the official.
- Allow the passport office to verify the applicant and collector details.
- Do not pressure an unrelated person to attempt collection.
- If delivery is refused, ask the passport official for the applicable procedure.
- Contact DGI&P if additional clarification is needed.
- Use the official DGI&P helpline for passport-related information.
- For an online passport delivery problem, contact the official online delivery channel.
- If the passport is delivered through home delivery, follow the delivery instructions associated with that application.
- Do not assume that an RPO collection rule and an online courier delivery rule are identical.
- Keep the passport secure immediately after receiving it.
- Check the passport holder's name and other important details after collection.
- If you find an error, contact the appropriate DGI&P office promptly.
- Keep the passport and related documents in a secure place.
- Before future passport applications, check the latest DGI&P collection and delivery rules again.
Official Information
Official Website: https://dgip.gov.pk/
Contact: Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P)National Helpline: 051-111-344-777International: +92-51-111-344-777Email: [info@dgip.gov.pk](mailto:info@dgip.gov.pk)Online Passport Delivery: [onlinedelivery@dgip.gov.pk](mailto:onlinedelivery@dgip.gov.pk)Official contact information should be verified on the DGI&P website before contacting the department.
Frequently Asked Questions
DGI&P's current guidance says a passport collected from a passport office may be delivered to the applicant or a blood relative.
A brother is a blood relative, so the current DGI&P rule covers blood relatives. The collector should still carry the required identification and token.
A sister is a blood relative. Confirm the specific identification and collection requirements with the concerned passport office.
A father is a blood relative and falls within the blood-relative provision stated by DGI&P.
A mother is a blood relative and may collect the passport subject to the office's identification and collection requirements.
A son is a blood relative. The concerned office should be contacted beforehand if there is any uncertainty about the documents required.
A daughter is a blood relative. Confirm the identification requirements with the concerned passport office before sending her.
You should not assume that a friend can collect it. DGI&P states that passports are delivered to the applicant or a blood relative, not an irrelevant person.
A neighbour is not a blood relative, so the applicant should not rely on a neighbour being allowed to collect the passport.
A colleague is not a blood relative. The current DGI&P guidance does not provide for routine collection by an unrelated colleague.
DGI&P's published wording specifically refers to the applicant or a blood relative. Because a spouse is not a blood relative, confirm directly with the relevant office before relying on spouse collection.
The same consideration applies to a wife. Contact the concerned passport office to confirm whether the particular case can be handled by the spouse and what documents are required.
Do not assume that an authorization letter alone is enough. Current DGI&P collection guidance refers to the applicant or a blood relative, so unusual cases should be confirmed with DGI&P.
DGI&P's collection process instructs the applicant to visit the Passport Delivery counter with the original token on the given date.
The collector should carry appropriate original identification. Confirm the exact requirement with the concerned passport office.
It is advisable to carry appropriate proof of relationship if the office may need to verify the blood relationship.
DGI&P's current guidance says passports may be delivered to a blood relative, subject to the applicable collection procedure.
If the applicant cannot attend because of illness, the applicant should first confirm with the passport office whether a blood relative can collect it and which documents are required.
Do not automatically send an unrelated person. Ask the concerned passport office about collection by a blood relative or any special procedure applicable to your situation.
The person may be refused because DGI&P states that passports are not to be delivered to irrelevant persons.
Yes. DGI&P's collection process instructs the applicant to collect the passport with the original token on the specified date.
DGI&P provides passport status information through SMS service 9988 inside Pakistan.
DGI&P states that an email or SMS can be sent when the passport is dispatched from the production facility.
Home delivery is a separate delivery arrangement. Follow the instructions associated with the particular online or home-delivery application and contact DGI&P if another person is expected to receive it.
DGI&P provides a Home Delivery option in its passport services, and its FAQ states that applicants selecting Home Delivery can have the passport delivered to their doorstep.
DGI&P states that its online passport facility allows eligible applicants to receive passports at their doorstep.
DGI&P lists [onlinedelivery@dgip.gov.pk](mailto:onlinedelivery@dgip.gov.pk) for online passport delivery-related issues.
DGI&P lists 051-111-344-777 for national/mobile users and +92-51-111-344-777 for international users.
Yes. Contact DGI&P or the concerned Regional Passport Office before sending another person if the collection situation is unclear.
Minor passport cases can involve parents or court-appointed legal guardians, but collection requirements depend on the specific case. Confirm the procedure with the passport office.
No. Applying for a passport and collecting a completed passport are separate stages with different procedures.
It is better to confirm that the passport has reached the collection location before travelling.
Check the official status information and allow for shipment time. DGI&P notes that shipment to an RPO or Foreign Mission can take additional time.
DGI&P states that courier delivery time is not included in the listed passport processing period and can add additional time, particularly for remote areas and missions abroad.
Use the official Directorate General of Immigration & Passports website and its official passport-office and contact pages.
Yes. Passport procedures can change, and confirming the latest instructions can prevent an unsuccessful collection visit.