The Aadhaar Card, issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), is a crucial identity document for every Indian citizen. It serves as proof of identity and address, making it essential for accessing various government services and benefits.
Here is everything you need to know about the Aadhaar card enrolment process, from the smallest details to the complete procedure.
What is Aadhaar Enrolment?
Aadhaar enrolment is the process by which an individual registers with UIDAI to receive a unique 12-digit Aadhaar number. This process is free of cost and involves providing biometric and demographic details.
Who Can Enrol for Aadhaar?
- Eligibility:
- Residents of India: Any resident, including infants and senior citizens.
- NRIs/Foreigners: NRIs and Foreigners residing in India can also apply if they meet residency requirements.
- Documents Needed:
- Proof of Identity (POI)
- Proof of Address (POA)
- Date of Birth (DOB) proof (optional for children below 5 years)
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Acceptable identity proof documents include photo ID cards such as a PAN card or government-issued ID. For address proof, documents like water bills, electricity bills, or landline telephone bills from the past three months are also valid. - View the list of supporting documents.
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If you don’t have common proofs, you can use a Certificate of Identity with a photo issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar. For address proof, certificates issued by an MP, MLA, Gazetted Officer, Tehsildar, or Village Panchayat head are accepted. If a family member lacks individual documents, they can enrol if their name is in a family entitlement document. The Head of Family must enrol first with valid ID and address proofs to introduce other family members. UIDAI also accepts various documents as Proof of Relationship.
Aadhaar enrolment can be done using two approaches: Document-Based Enrolment and Head of Family-Based Enrolment.
- Document-Based Enrolment:
In this method, individuals provide valid identity proof (PoI) and address proof (PoA) documents at the time of enrolment. Commonly accepted documents include a PAN card, passport, voter ID, or utility bills such as water, electricity, or landline bills from the last three months. These documents are verified during the enrolment process to establish the individual’s identity and address. - Head of Family-Based Enrolment:
This approach is for individuals who may not have their own valid identity or address documents. In such cases, they can enrol using a family entitlement document where their name is listed. The Head of Family (HoF), whose name is also mentioned in the entitlement document, must first enrol with valid PoI and PoA documents. Once the HoF is enrolled, they can introduce other family members during their enrolment process by verifying their relationship through a Proof of Relationship (PoR) document, such as a ration card, marriage certificate, or similar documents accepted by UIDAI.
Where to Enrol for Aadhaar?
- Aadhaar enrolment can be done at authorized Aadhaar Enrolment Centers located in banks, post offices, and government offices.
- Find Nearest Center: Use the UIDAI portal to locate the nearest enrolment center. (Link: Locate Enrolment Center)
Aadhaar Enrolment Process
The Aadhaar enrolment process involves visiting an authorized Enrolment Centre, completing the enrolment form, providing demographic and biometric data, submitting proof of identity and address documents, and receiving an acknowledgment slip with your Enrolment ID.
Below is the complete step-by-step enrolment procedure.
- Visit the nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Center authorized by UIDAI.
- Book an Appointment
- Online appointment: Schedule an appointment through the UIDAI Portal.
- Walk-in option: Some centers allow walk-ins without prior appointments.
- Checklist Before Visiting the Enrolment Center
- âś“ Aadhaar Enrolment Form.
- âś“ Original POI, POA, and DOB documents.
- âś“ A valid mobile number for OTPs (optional, but recommended).
- âś“ Appointment confirmation receipt (if applicable).
- Fill out the Aadhaar enrolment form with accurate details, including your name, date of birth, gender, and address.
- Submit original copies of your POI, POA, and DOB documents for verification. The operator will scan and upload them during enrolment.
- Capture Biometric Data (For Adults)
- Fingerprint scan (all 10 fingers)
- Iris scan (both eyes)
- Photograph
- For Children (below 5 years):
- Only a photograph is captured. Biometric data is updated once the child turns 5 and 15 years old.
- Review the information entered by the operator to ensure accuracy.
The operator provides an acknowledgment slip with the Enrolment ID (EID), which is crucial for tracking your Aadhaar application status.
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After enrolment, you can check your Aadhaar status using the Enrolment ID (EID) on the UIDAI Status Portal.
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The waiting time for Aadhaar is up to 180 days after the enrolment data is received in CIDR. CIDR stands for Central Identities Data Repository. It is the central database where all Aadhaar enrolment data is stored and processed by UIDAI.
Instructions for Adults (18+ Years) While Filling Aadhaar Enrolment Form
| Field No. | Field Name | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Type of Enrolment | Indicate whether the application is for new enrollment or an update by ticking the appropriate box. |
| 2 | Status | Select the correct residential status. Residents and foreigners should use separate forms. For NRIs, only an Indian passport is valid as Proof of Identity (PoI). |
| 3 & 10 | Demographic Update | Provide your Aadhaar number and select the required service. For updates like name, ensure the name matches the existing Aadhaar record. Fill only the necessary fields for the specific update request. |
| 3 & 10 | Document Update | For document updates, submit supporting documents containing the same name and address as the existing Aadhaar. Mention the Aadhaar number, name, and document name in the form. |
| 4 | Name | Write your full name without titles or salutations. Bring the original PoI document. Minor spelling corrections are allowed (e.g., “Preeti” can be updated to “Priti”). |
| 6 | Date of Birth (DOB) | For individuals under 18, a Birth Certificate is acceptable with certain exceptions. A full date of birth will be printed on the Aadhaar card only if the DOB is verified with supporting documents. |
| 7 | Address | Write the complete address, including PIN code and post office. The state, district, sub-district, and village/town/city (VTC) will be automatically fetched based on the PIN code. C/o (Care of) fields do not need additional documents. Minor changes to complete the address are allowed without altering the base address. |
| 9 | HOF-Based Enrolment | Both the resident and Head of Family (HOF) must visit the enrollment center with the Proof of Relationship (PoR) document showing the names of the HOF and applicant, along with the HOF’s Aadhaar number. HOF-based enrollment is not available for Resident Foreigners. |
| - | List of Documents | The updated list of valid documents is available on the UIDAI website: List of Documents. Ensure that the submitted document complies with the list provided by UIDAI. |
| - | Resident Foreigners | Foreign residents must complete a separate Aadhaar enrollment or update form. |
Important Points During Enrolment
- No Fees: Aadhaar enrolment is completely free.
- Accuracy: Ensure all data provided is accurate to avoid discrepancies in the Aadhaar card.
- Mobile Number Linking: Provide your mobile number during enrolment for OTP-based Aadhaar services.
- Update for Children: Children with Aadhaar who have turned 15 or anyone needing to update their biometric details, such as fingerprints, iris scans, or photographs, must visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Center. Ensure you carry valid address proof documents for the update process.
Locate an Enrolment Center
To search for an Aadhaar Enrolment Center, follow these steps:
- Visit the UIDAI official website: https://appointments.uidai.gov.in/
- Click on the Locate Enrolment Center in My Aadhaar → Get Aadhaar section.
- Select the option for your region: State, Postal (PIN) Code, or Search by Center Name.
- Enter the required details such as state, district, or PIN code.
- Click on the Locate Center button.
- The list of nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centers will be displayed with their address and contact information.
Make sure to book an appointment online if required.
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For assistance, you can contact UIDAI through their toll-free number at 1947 or via email at [email protected].