Overview
When you get vaccinated, even for the first dose, a COVID vaccine certificate is issued in your name, which you can download from the Cowin portal or the Arogya Setu App. The certificate states the status of your vaccine, which vaccine shot you have been given, the vaccine centre, and so on. The COVID vaccine certificate is also important if you are travelling within the country as well as abroad. And for abroad travel, it is mandatory to have the vaccine certificate linked to your passport. For the linking of the certificate to your passport, you don’t have to run here and there. You can do it on your own at home! Here are the steps to follow and other information on passport and COVID-19 vaccination certificate linking.
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How to Link Passport with Vaccine Certificate: Steps to Follow
Step 1
Log in to the official website of Cowin i.e., www.cowin.gov.in by entering your ID and password. If you have registered with your mobile number, you may ask for a One-Time Password (OTP) to log in to your account.
Step 2
Once you have logged in, go to the dashboard and click on the ‘Raise an Issue’ button. You will find this option in the ‘Account Details’ section.
Step 3
After clicking on the ‘Raise an Issue’ button, you will see three options – certificate correction, merge multiple doses 1 provision certificate, and add passport details. Click on the ‘Add Passport Details’ option. Once you click, you will be redirected to the page where you can add all the details of the beneficiary ID for COVID vaccine certificate linking.
Step 4
To add the member, you will have to select the name of the member from the drop-down menu. Once you select the member, enter the passport number in the ‘Enter Beneficiary’s Passport Number’ section. Please be very careful on how you add the passport number to link the COVID vaccine certificate in the Cowin portal. Double-check, if needed.
Step 5
After you have entered the passport number and checked it thoroughly, tick the declaration box stating, “I declare that this passport belongs to the beneficiary. The name of the passport holder is the same as mentioned on the COVID vaccine certificate.”
Step 6
Go through the fields again and click on the ‘Submit Request’ button. You will receive a message on the registered mobile number stating that your request is submitted. It usually takes a few minutes to process the request, after which you will receive another message stating that the request for linking the certificate of COVID-19 vaccine in India to your passport has been completed.
Step 7
Go back to the account details page. You will find a ‘Certificate’ option next to the name of the member, whose passport details have been uploaded. Click on it to download the final certificate for the COVID-19 vaccination linked to the passport.
If you have not registered on the Cowin portal yet and have to travel abroad soon, you can choose your passport as the valid photo ID proof while registering.
Link Passport with COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate: How to Edit Personal Details?
• If you have to edit personal details for the linked passport number, log in to the official Cowin website. • Again, click on the ‘Raise an Issue’ on the home page. • Select the ‘Correction in Certificate’ option. After which, you have to select the member from the drop-down menu. • After which, you can do make the corrections you want and edit the details accordingly. • Once you have edited the details, click on the submit button. You can download the COVID vaccine certificate online after correction.
If you are travelling abroad, make sure that you are vaccinated and that the certificate is linked to your passport. At the time of departure from India and arrival in a foreign country, you will be asked for the certificate linked to your passport. This helps the officials know that you are travelling only after being fully vaccinated.
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A note on dates
This post described a 2021 process for international travel. Rules for certificates, forms and country requirements have changed. Check the current process on the official portal and the destination's rules before you travel.
What to do next
1. Check the destination's current rules on the embassy or official travel site. 2. Collect your vaccination certificate from the official portal and keep digital and paper copies. 3. Check name and passport details match. 4. Fix errors early through the official correction process. 5. Keep documents with passports and insurance.
See vaccine passport for travel and travel with an elderly parent: checklist.
When to ask a professional
A travel agent or the embassy can confirm requirements.
Equipment mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a vaccination certificate to travel?
It depends on the country and time. Check current rules.
Where do I get the certificate?
From the official national vaccination portal.
What if details are wrong?
Use the official correction process.
Is a printed copy enough?
Keep both digital and printed copies.
Sources and further reading
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, vaccination certificate information
- World Health Organization, International travel and health
- Ministry of External Affairs, India, travel advisories
Tags: Covid -19 #Vaccinevaccination certificatepassportinternational travelCOVID-19Setting up the homeFingertip pulse oximeterHealth monitoring devicesHealthy ageingElder care
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Speak to your doctor before changing your exercise, diet or medicines.
