By Ern Phang, Solicitor & Notary Public
Director of Phang Legal. Solicitor since 1998 and notary public since 2005.
Example: the situation
Geeta's damaged passport is her only photograph identification, and the water damage has blurred her photograph. She asks whether a certified copy of her old passport will do.
Form V needs original photograph identification, and copies won't do. Let's discuss what we can accept.
What is Form V?
Form V is the Affidavit in Lieu of Lost or Damaged Passport. It is the form required by the VFS, on behalf of the Indian Consulate, that you must complete in order to apply for a new/replacement Indian passport to replace your passport that has been lost or damaged.Form V identification requirements
Before we can assist you with the FORM V, you must be able to prove your identity. You can only do this by providing us with original photograph identification such as:- Indian Passport. If your Indian Passport is damaged, your photograph and your name/date of birth must clear and identifiable - you should contact us if you have any concerns whether your Indian Passport can be used to prove your identity.
- Other passport. If you hold another passport, in addition to your Indian Passport, you may use that passport.
- Australian Drivers Licence or Photocard. You must have obtained this from a driving authority in Australia.
- Other Australian Government issued photograph identification. Please contact us and provide us with a copy of your proposed photograph identification for confirmation.
- Photocopies or certified photocopies of a passport or any other original photograph. We will only accept original photograph identification.
- Medicare card. The Medicare card is a form of Australian Government identification however it does not include a photograph.
- Indian Drivers Licence or PAN card. We are unable to identify you in Australia by non-Australian identification documents.
- Police Report. You may receive a Police Report if you have reported that your Indian Passport has been stolen, however we do not accept this as a form of identification.
To obtain a quote on our notary public services for India, please visit Request a notary quote.Example: the solution
Geeta sent us a copy of her Australian Photo Card first, and we confirmed it was acceptable. She brought the original to her appointment, and our notary public witnessed her signature and notarised Form V.
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.
