How to Publish a Lost Passport Advertisement in Malayalam Newspaper — A Kerala Resident's Ground-Level Guide
It is no wonder that the initial panic occurs when a person in Kerala loses his passport. The second panic when they understand that they must have an advert on the paper before the Passport Seva Kendra will even release their reissue appointment — that one they can avoid. This guide takes one through the entire process: the FIR, the ad text, which Malayalam daily to choose, the cost, and how the clipping can be accepted at PSK.
I have assisted dozens of individuals in such a case. The majority of them invest money in the booking of the wrong paper or format of ad. This is the guide that is designed to prevent this.
📑 Table of Contents
- ➤ Why a Malayalam Newspaper Is the Right Choice for Kerala Applicants
- ➤ FIR First — Don't Skip This
- ➤ Choosing the Right Malayalam Daily
- ➤ Sample Ad Text — Malayalam and English
- ➤ Cost Range — What You'll Actually Pay in 2026
- ➤ Using the Ad Proof for Passport Reissue at PSK
- ➤ Frequently Asked Questions
Why a Malayalam Newspaper Is the Right Choice for Kerala Applicants
Even the passport offices of Kerala such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode are under the regional passport authority which requires a notice of the vernacular language instead of an English daily or in addition to one. The vernacular requirement is met directly by a lost passport ad in a Malayalam newspaper.
It has a practical motive as well. The Malayalam dailies are extensively distributed in print in all the districts of Kerala. The Malayala Manorama is the only newspaper boasting of a certified readership that makes the newspaper one of the top five newspapers in India. And in case one did manage to get your passport and find the public notice, chances are that he/she will be reading Manorama or Mathrubhumi, instead of the times of India.
One more thing: the regional Malayalam newspapers are nearly always cheaper compared to the national English dailies. More on that in the cost section.
FIR First — Don't Skip This
Filing a complaint at the closest police station should come first before you book any ad. A passport ad is not always legally required to be accompanied by an FIR (First Information Report), however, in Kerala the PSK counters request it almost universally.
The FIR should mention:
- Your full name as it appears on the passport
- Passport number (if you remember it — approximate issue date if not)
- Date and place where you believe it was lost
- A brief statement that you did not sell or transfer it
You will receive a copy of the acknowledgement. Keep several photocopies. It is a form that comes with your reissue application and is frequently requested along with the newspaper clipping.
Choosing the Right Malayalam Daily
There are four Malayalam newspapers that PSK counters in Kerala commonly accept without question:
| Newspaper | Details | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Malayala Manorama | Highest circulation. Published from Kottayam. Recognized nationally and accepted at every passport office in the country for vernacular language notices. | Best choice for zero doubt about acceptance |
| Mathrubhumi | Second largest. Published from Kozhikode. Equally well-accepted. Sometimes marginally cheaper for classified text ads. | Good alternative, especially in northern Kerala |
| Deepika | Catholic-owned Kottayam paper. Good coverage in central Kerala. Accepted at most PSKs but occasionally an officer may ask for Manorama or Mathrubhumi specifically. | Low risk — confirm with your specific PSK first |
| Madhyamam | Strong in Malappuram and northern Kerala. Fine for most purposes. | Works well if your PSK is in Kozhikode or Kannur |
Sample Ad Text — Malayalam and English
Malayalam English Sample Ad Here is a working bilingual format. You don't need both languages in the same ad, but some applicants include both to satisfy any officer who checks.
Malayalam Version (sample text — edit with your details):
എൻ്റെ പാസ്പോർട്ട് (നമ്പർ: XXXXXXXX, ഇഷ്യൂ തീയ്യതി: DD/MM/YYYY) നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടു. ഇത് കണ്ടെടുക്കുന്നവർ ദയവായി ഈ നമ്പറിൽ ബന്ധപ്പെടുക: [Your Phone Number]. ഈ പാസ്പോർട്ട് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നതോ ദുരുപയോഗം ചെയ്യുന്നതോ നിയമപരമായ കുറ്റകൃത്യമാണ്. — [Your Full Name], [Address]
English Version (add below if required):
I, [Full Name], resident of [Full Address], hereby declare that my passport bearing No. [XXXXXXXX], issued on [Date], from [Issuing Authority], has been lost. Anyone who finds it is requested to contact [Phone Number] or the nearest police station. The passport is no longer valid for any use.
Keep the ad short. Classified text ads are charged per word or per line — every extra sentence costs money. The above Malayalam text does the job.
Cost Range — What You'll Actually Pay in 2026
Prices shift. These are approximate figures verified in early 2026 — confirm directly with the paper's ad booking desk before transferring money.
| Publication | Edition | Approx. Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Malayala Manorama | District edition (3–5 line notice) | ₹400 – ₹700 |
| Malayala Manorama | All-Kerala edition | ₹900 – ₹1,500 |
| Mathrubhumi | District edition | ₹350 – ₹600 |
| Mathrubhumi + local English daily | Combined (English + Malayalam) | ₹700 – ₹1,200 total |
Using the Ad Proof for Passport Reissue at PSK
After the ad is published, you need the clipping. Here's what PSK counters in Kerala accept:
- Physical newspaper clipping — cut the page, circle the ad with a pen, get it photocopied and self-attested
- E-paper clipping (PDF or screenshot) — most PSKs now accept this; download from the newspaper's website. The screenshot must include the name of the newspaper, the date, and the entire text of the ad.
Staple or clip the following together when submitting:
- Newspaper clipping or e-paper printout (self-attested)
- FIR acknowledgement copy
- Passport Application form (Form-1 or online filled)
- Annexure F (declaration for lost passport — mandatory)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which lost passport advertisementsin Kerala?
Malayala Manorama. The Manorama clipping has never been rejected at any PSK in Kerala for a lost passport notice. If you want the safest option, book there. Mathrubhumi is a close second and is sometimes ₹200 cheaper.
2. What is the price range for lost passport advertisements in Malayalam newspaper editions in 2026?
District classified: ₹350 – ₹700. All-Kerala classified: ₹900 – ₹1,500. These are 2026 estimates. Check with the ad desk of the newspaper to confirm — rates change, and online booking portals may charge different rates than the walk-in counter.
3. Do I need an English newspaper along with the Malayalam lost passport advertisement?
For Kerala PSKs, no. One Malayalam daily is enough. If you want zero risk, add a local English paper — New Indian Express Kerala edition is the cheapest option. The lost passport advertisement requirement doesn't specify language; regional language is sufficient.
4. How to write a bilingual lost passport advertisement in Malayalam and English?
Write the Malayalam text first — name, passport number, date of issue, statement that it is lost, and contact number. Below that, write the same information in English in one short paragraph. Keep it under 60 words. Plain text only — no boxes, no bold, no formatting.
5. Can I book a lost passport advertisement in a Malayalam newspaper online from Gulf countries?
Yes. Both Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhumi accept ad bookings online. Pay via international card or through a contact in Kerala. Add the ad text, pay, and get a PDF confirmation by email. Send that proof to whoever is attending your PSK appointment in Kerala.
6. What documents are required to book a lost passport ad in a Malayalam newspaper?
Nothing is required by the newspaper — they process the ad on payment alone. For PSK submission you will need: FIR, Annexure F, the newspaper clipping, address proof, identity proof, and old passport copy (where relevant). The most common mistake is missing Annexure F — download it from passport.gov.in before your appointment.
7. How to get an e-paper clipping of a lost passport advertisement in a Malayalam newspaper for PSK?
On the day of publication, log in to the newspaper's e-paper portal. Ads appear in the classified section (typically under Lost and Found or Notices). Take a screenshot or save the page as PDF. Print it — the printout must show the newspaper name, date, and your ad text. Self-certify it by signing across the edge with your name and date.
8. Which is cheaper — a Malayalam local newspaper or an English national daily for a lost passport ad?
Malayalam local — no contest. A district edition in Mathrubhumi costs ₹350–₹500. The same notice in Times of India runs ₹2,000–₹3,500. For a Kerala passport reissue, booking a national English daily is a waste of money. The PSK accepts both equally, so there is no reason to pay more.
9. Is FIR mandatory before publishing a lost passport advertisement in a Malayalam newspaper?
The newspaper will run the ad without an FIR. However, the PSK reissue process almost invariably requires the FIR along with the newspaper clipping. File the FIR first — do not do it after booking the ad, especially if your PSK appointment is approaching.
10. How many days before a passport appointment should I publish the lost passport advertisement?
Publish at least 7–10 days before your PSK appointment. The clipping must show a date before your appointment date. Some counters require the ad to have been published at least 7 clear days before submission. Book the ad together with the FIR — do not wait until the week before your appointment.
✅ Summary Checklist Before You Publish
- FIR filed at the nearest police station — acknowledgement copy in hand
- Ad text drafted with full name, passport number, issue date, and contact number
- Malayalam newspaper selected (Malayala Manorama or Mathrubhumi recommended)
- District edition booked — no need for all-Kerala edition
- Booking placed at least 7–10 days before PSK appointment
- Proof/e-paper clipping downloaded and self-attested after publication
- Annexure F downloaded from passport.gov.in and filled at home
- All documents clipped together: clipping, FIR copy, Form-1, Annexure F
Publishing the ad correctly the first time saves you time, cost, and the risk of your PSK counter rejecting your file. Follow the steps above, and your reissue process will move without unnecessary delays.
