Applying for an Indian passport at Cox and Kings Global Services (CKGS) USA - reissue in case of near expiry

I recently applied for a reissue of Indian passport at CKGS. Their website is pretty informative (though repetitive). You can basically start at their How to Apply page and it will guide you through the entire process. Since they talk about everything in detail, there is no point repeating that information here. So I'll just quickly list down some gotchas and a summary of what you have to do:

1. Start the application on their (CKGS) website and don't go directly to the Indian Government website. This is really important, else you'd have to repeat the process again.
2. Once you begin the application, CKGS gives you a temporary ID/web reference number. It is really important that you save this number. You can use this number to come back to the application again (in case you do not finish it in one shot) and even for application tracking purposes (after you've submitted it). Please note that you can come back to an unfinished application only till a certain stage in the process (where it asks you for money order/cashier check number). Once you've filled in the money order/cashier check number, there is no going back.
3. After submitting the payment details, CKGS will take you to the Indian Government website where you'll have to Register and then fill out a separate application. It is very important to make sure you've filled in the exact same information as you filled in on CKGS website. For example, I read about some people who faced delays as their name wasn't matching at both places (they had full name at one place while middle initial at the other place).
4. Indian Government website is going to give you an application reference number. Make sure to save it as you'd have to come back to CKGS for the last step and provide them this number.
5. Shipping - I selected both way shipping provided by CKGS (using FedEx). Please note that you don't have to send the 'return' envelope along with your package (if you're using their shipping).

List of documents to send (assuming you're only getting your address changed, no change in any other detail from your old passport):

1. Barcode - make sure to tape the barcode on top of the FedEx envelope.
2. Document checklist - print as is, you don't have to sign on it.
3. Order Form - this will be generated once you complete the CKGS application.
4. Original passport - this will be returned to you (cancelled) along with your new passport.
5. Money order or cashier check - this should have the same number as what you entered on CKGS payment information page. It should be in favor of 'Cox & Kings Global Services USA LLC'.
6. Indian Government application form - with photo affixed on 1st page and signature within the box on 1st and 5th page.
7. First 5 and last two pages of your passport - self attested. First page (with photo) and page numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Last page (with address) and page numbers 34, 35 and 36.
8. Visa - color copy in the center of the page. This has to be notarized. You can ask your bank if they notarize documents (Chase did it for free since I had an account). UPS store also notarizes for a fee per signature. Just remember not to sign any document you want notarized until the notary asks you to sign and always carry original proof of what you want notarized.
9. Address proof - If you're sending your driving license copy, make sure it is in color, zoomed enough and in the center of the page. This has to be notarized if you want your US address on your new passport. In case of an Indian address, it has to be self attested.
10. Change of appearance and signature form - This has to be sent even if you are not claiming a change of appearance or a change in signature. Affix one photo. This form to be notarized too.
11. Annexure E - with signature within the box.

All in all, the process is easy but lengthy. You may have to go out at least a couple of times to finish the application (once to get your money order so that you can enter the money order number in the application in order to continue to the next step and second time for photo, notary and shipping). But once you submit your application accurately, you won't face any road blocks. For me, I got the new passport delivered to my home within 5 working days (my application package was received by CKGS on Monday evening, they dispatched the new passport on Thursday and I got it on Friday). That was super quick of them!

For reference, here are different stages/status the application goes through:

1. Received - Application ‘Received’ by CKGS and 'Not Verified'.
2. Verification - Application Verification is ‘Complete’. Processing of your application will continue.
3. Under Process (Manifestation) - Application is ‘Under Process’ at CKGS.
4. In Transit to Embassy - Application is 'In Transit' to the Consulate.
5. Under Process (at Embassy) - Application is 'Under Process' at Consulate for decision making.
6. In Transit (to CKGS) - Application 'Reviewed' by Consulate and ‘In Transit’ to CKGS Application Centre.
7. Sorting - Passport ‘Received’ at the CKGS application centre and is at the ‘Sorting Facility’ where it is being processed for delivery.
8. Dispatch - Passport picked up by FedEx.