By Ern Phang, Solicitor & Notary Public
Director of Phang Legal. Solicitor since 1998 and notary public since 2005.
Example: the situation
Meera is planning a trip home to Kerala for her sister's wedding. When she takes her passport out of the drawer, she sees it expired four months ago. She lives in Liverpool and needs to renew it from Australia.
An expired Indian passport is renewed through VFS Global, which accepts passport applications for the Indian High Commission and Consulates in Australia. Your renewal application includes Form I which must be signed in front of a notary public and be notarised as part of the application. Let's discuss this in further detail.
What is Form I for renewing an Indian passport?
Form I is part of the application you lodge with VFS to renew your Indian passport once it has been expired for more than a month. VFS decides what goes into your application. It's not up to us. Refer to the checklist on the VFS website for more information.
Before you start, read the VFS passport services page (updated July 2026) and download the current form and checklist for your renewal. Forms are updated from time to time, so use the version on the VFS page rather than an old copy.
Why does Form I need a notary public in New South Wales?
When you lodge your application in New South Wales, documents in the VFS package that need to be witnessed or certified generally need a notary public, not a justice of the peace. Our notary checks your identification (usually your passport unless it has expired for more than 2 years, or a valid Australian photo ID), witnesses you sign Form I and notarises it. If the checklist also asks for notarised copies (for example, of your passport), we can do those at the same appointment.
How do you prove your identity?
You can prove your identity with a valid photo ID document. You can use your expired passport if it has not expired for more than 2 years and the photograph is still recognisable as you. You can use another form of valid Australian photo ID like an Australian driver licence or photocard.
What about Form I for a minor child?
This article only relates to Form I being signed by an adult. Form I for a minor child must be signed by both parents, but that's a different topic for another article.
Does Form I need an apostille?
Usually not. The apostille matters when a document notarised in Australia is going to an official recipient in India, as both countries are members of the Apostille Convention. Form I is submitted to VFS with the rest of your application, so a notarised Form I is normally all you need. Please refer to the VFS checklist for more information.
What to bring to your appointment
- Form I, filled in but unsigned. Sign it only when you're in front of our notary.
- Your expired passport. It's the passport you're renewing, so bring it even though it has expired.
- Current photo identification. If you have another form of photo ID, such as your Australian driver licence or photocard, you should bring that as well, especially if your passport has expired for more than 2 years, or the photo is not recognisable as you.
- The VFS checklist. It helps us identify any other document in your application that needs notarising.
Please complete the form yourself. We don't fill in passport forms, because the answers are yours to give.
Ready to renew your Indian passport?
Example: the solution
Meera downloaded the current form and checklist and filled the form in at home. At her appointment, our notary notarised Form I and a copy of her expired passport. She collected her documents from our office the same day and booked her VFS lodgement for the following week.
Need Form I notarised? Ask for a quote, or send a WhatsApp message.
About Us
This blog is maintained by Phang Legal, a boutique law firm with offices in Parramatta and Rouse Hill. We help clients from across Sydney and beyond with personal, professional and timely Legal Services, Notary Services and Apostille Services.
As a leading provider of notary services in Sydney, we have 1k+ Google Reviews (4.9) (updated July 2026) with many clients happy to share their experience in using our services.
Phang Legal — Parramatta6/83 George Street
Level 3, 87 Marsden Street (from 1 March 2026)
Parramatta NSW 2150
Phang Legal — Rouse Hill
214/80 Main Street
Rouse Hill NSW 2155
Call 02 9687 8885 | WhatsApp | Request quote
About the author
Ern Phang — Solicitor & Notary Public
This article was written by Ern Phang, a director of Phang Legal, a solicitor since 1998 and a notary public since 2005.
Ern has been a member of the Society of Notaries of NSW since 2005, a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries since 2013, and a member of the Law Society of New South Wales since 1998.
Ern regularly writes about his experiences as a notary public and the practical issues his clients face when sending documents from Australia to India and other countries all over the world.
Using information in this article
This article provides general information. Requirements, forms, fees and service arrangements may have changed since its original publication. Check the receiving organisation’s current requirements and obtain advice relevant to your circumstances.
