India / Identity documents
How to apply for an Aadhaar card in India
You cannot apply for Aadhaar online. You enrol in person at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or other Aadhaar enrolment centre, with original proof of identity and proof of address, and your photo, fingerprints and iris scans are taken there. Enrolment is free, and UIDAI says the Aadhaar number normally comes within 30 days for under-18s and within 180 days for adults.
- Fee
- Free
- Time
- Adults: normally up to 180 days. Under 18: normally up to 30 days
- How
- In person at an Aadhaar enrolment centre
Checked against official sources on . See the 12 sources.
Quick answer
Aadhaar enrolment cannot be done online or by post, because your biometrics have to be captured. Go to an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or any authorised Aadhaar enrolment centre with your original proof of identity and proof of address, fill the enrolment form, give your photo, ten fingerprints and both iris scans, and collect the acknowledgement slip. It is free. Keep the slip: its Enrolment ID is how you track the application and download the e-Aadhaar once the number is generated.
Who can apply
- Any resident of India, of any age. UIDAI sets no age limit; even a newborn can be enrolled. "Resident" means you have lived in India for 182 days or more in the 12 months before applying.
- NRIs (adult or minor) holding a valid Indian passport. The 182 day condition does not apply to NRIs.
- Resident foreign nationals, OCI cardholders, Long Term Visa holders and nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who have stayed in India for 182 days or more in the previous 12 months. Their Aadhaar has limited validity (10 years for OCI cardholders and Nepal or Bhutan nationals; otherwise up to the validity of the visa or permit).
You enrol only once. UIDAI rejects repeat enrolments unless it has asked you to re-enrol.
Documents you need
Carry originals. The operator scans them and hands them back. A document counts only if it is currently valid, is in your own name, and the name and date of birth are the same across all the documents you give.
Adults (18 and above), document-based enrolment. You need one Proof of Identity (name and photo) and one Proof of Address (name and Indian address). A Proof of Date of Birth is optional; without it your date of birth is recorded as "declared" or "approximate" and only the year of birth is printed.
| Document | Identity | Address | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valid Indian passport | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voter ID or e-Voter ID (details visible on the ECI or CEO website) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ration or PDS photo card, e-ration card | Yes | Yes | No |
| Driving licence | Yes | No | No |
| Government or PSU service photo ID; pensioner photo card or Pension Payment Order | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Board or university marksheet or certificate | Yes | No | Yes |
| SC, ST or OBC certificate; MGNREGA job card; domicile certificate | Yes | Yes | No |
| Electricity, water, gas, landline, postpaid mobile or broadband bill (not older than 3 months) | No | Yes | No |
| Registered sale agreement or gift deed; rent, lease or leave and licence agreement | No | Yes | No |
| Life or medical insurance policy (within 1 year of issue) | No | Yes | No |
| Birth certificate | No | No | Yes |
| Certificate on the UIDAI standard format from an MP, MLA, MLC, municipal councillor, Gazetted officer, Tehsildar, or village panchayat head or secretary (rural) | No | Yes | No |
This is the common part of UIDAI's List III. A PAN card and a bank passbook are not on the list for new adult enrolment. Check the full list before you go.
Children below 5 (Baal Aadhaar). Enrolment is through a parent or legal guardian as Head of Family (HoF). Carry the child's birth certificate (mandatory for children born on or after 1 October 2023) and the parent's Aadhaar. The Aadhaar numbers of both parents are asked for; if the child lives with one parent or a guardian, that person's number is enough. One parent or guardian must authenticate with their own biometrics.
Children 5 to under 18. HoF-based enrolment is encouraged, using a birth certificate, passport, domicile certificate or caste certificate that names the child and the parent. If that is not possible, document-based enrolment with identity, address and date of birth proofs is allowed.
NRIs. A valid Indian passport is the only accepted Proof of Identity. An email address is mandatory.
No documents of your own? For adults, UIDAI's current list provides Head of Family enrolment only where a legal guardian has been appointed (with the guardianship document). Otherwise the practical route is a certificate on the UIDAI standard format from one of the authorities in the last row of the table, which serves as address proof, together with any identity proof from the list.
Steps
- Pick the right centre. Use "Locate Enrolment Centre" on the myAadhaar portal or the Bhuvan Aadhaar portal ("Centres Nearby" or "Search by PIN Code"). Centres are of four types: all enrolment including 18+, all enrolment excluding 18+, only child enrolment and mobile update, and only child enrolment. An adult must choose a centre of the first type. UIDAI's own Aadhaar Seva Kendras handle every age group.
- Book an appointment if you want one. Booking at bookappointment.uidai.gov.in is free, needs no Aadhaar-linked mobile, and is limited to 2 appointments a month per person. Seva Kendras also issue walk-in tokens. They are open all 7 days, normally 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, except national and regional holidays. Bank, post office and state-run centres keep their own hours.
Fill the correct form in capital letters. It is available at the centre and on the UIDAI "Enrolment & Updates" page.
Applicant Form Resident Indian, or NRI with Indian address proof, 18 and above Form 1 NRI with address proof outside India, 18 and above Form 2 Resident child, or NRI child with Indian address proof, 5 to under 18 Form 3 NRI child with address proof outside India, 5 to under 18 Form 4 Resident child, or NRI child with Indian address proof, below 5 Form 5 NRI child with address proof outside India, below 5 Form 6 Write your name exactly as on your identity document, without titles such as Mr, Dr or Adv. PIN code and Post Office are mandatory in the address.
- Document check. The verifier compares the form with your originals and signs it.
- Data entry and biometrics. The operator types your details and captures your photograph, ten fingerprints and both irises. For a child below 5 only a photograph is taken. If fingers or eyes are missing or damaged, ask for enrolment under the biometric exception process; you can still be enrolled.
- Read the screen before you approve. Check the spelling of your name, gender, date of birth, address with PIN code, mobile number and email, in English and in the regional language. Ask for corrections now. After this, every correction is a paid update with lifetime limits.
- Give a mobile number and email. It is optional for resident Indians, but without a registered mobile you cannot download the e-Aadhaar or use most online services later.
- Collect the acknowledgement slip and your original documents. The slip carries the 14 digit enrolment number with the date and time of enrolment (together the 28 digit Enrolment ID, or EID). The enrolment number is not your Aadhaar number.
Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| New Aadhaar enrolment, any age | Free |
| Mandatory biometric update at age 5 to 7, and at 15 to 17 | Free |
| Biometric update between 7 and 15 years | Free till 30 September 2027 |
| Aadhaar print at an enrolment centre ("Print Aadhaar") | Rs 30 |
If a centre asks for money for a new enrolment, refuse and report it on 1947. Charges are printed at the bottom of the acknowledgement slip.
How long it takes
UIDAI's stated service standard is: normally up to 30 days from enrolment for ages 0 to 18, and normally up to 180 days for adults aged 18 and above. UIDAI adds that an enrolment may be sent to the state authorities concerned for verification before the number is generated.
Once the number is generated, the Aadhaar letter is printed and handed to India Post within 10 days and delivered by post to the address you gave. NRIs enrolled with a foreign address get a password-protected e-Aadhaar by email instead. You do not need to wait for the letter: the e-Aadhaar can be downloaded as soon as the number is generated.
How to check status
- Online: open the myAadhaar portal, choose "Check Enrolment / Update Status", select "Enrolment No", enter the 14 digit enrolment number from the slip (date and time are optional) and the captcha.
- By phone: call 1947 (toll free), choose your language, press 1 (request status) and then 2 (Aadhaar enrolment status), and enter the EID, your date of birth and PIN code.
- Lost the slip: use "Retrieve Aadhaar number/EID/SID" on the portal with your name and the mobile number or email you gave at enrolment. If you gave neither, call 1947 and speak to an executive, who can find the EID from your details.
Common problems
- Rejected enrolment. UIDAI lists document mismatches, discrepancies in the information, operator errors, invalid documents and policy non-compliance as reasons. Check the status on the portal, then re-enrol with correct documents. There is no fee for re-enrolment.
- Adult turned away by a centre. Many centres are not authorised for 18+ enrolment. Filter for "All enrolment (including 18+)" on Bhuvan or go to a UIDAI Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
- Enrolling again because the letter has not come. A second enrolment is caught as a duplicate and rejected. Check the status of the EID you already have; the number is often generated and only the post is late.
- Child's biometrics not updated at 5 and 15. A Baal Aadhaar has no fingerprints or iris data. The child must give full biometrics on turning 5 and again on turning 15, keeping the same Aadhaar number.
- Worn fingerprints (old age, manual work). The operator can use the "force capture" option; enrolment should not be refused.
- Pending beyond the stated time, or a complaint about a centre. File a grievance on the myAadhaar portal with your EID, call 1947, or email help@uidai.gov.in.
FAQ
Can I apply for an Aadhaar card online?
No. UIDAI states there is no online method of enrolment and none by post. Only the appointment can be booked online. You must visit an enrolment centre because your biometrics are captured there.
Is Aadhaar enrolment free?
Yes. New enrolment is free for every age group at every centre, including Aadhaar Seva Kendras.
What is the minimum document needed for an adult?
One valid Proof of Identity and one valid Proof of Address from UIDAI's list. A single document that proves both, such as a passport, voter ID or ration card with photo, is enough if it carries your current address.
Can I enrol in a different state from my home state?
Yes. You can enrol at any authorised centre anywhere in India. If you have address proofs for more than one place, you choose which address goes on the Aadhaar, and the letter is posted there.
How do I get an Aadhaar card for a newborn?
Take the child, the birth certificate and the parents' Aadhaar to a centre that does child enrolment and fill Form 5. Only the child's photo is taken, a parent authenticates with their own biometrics, and the parent's Aadhaar address is used as the child's address.
Can an NRI get Aadhaar without staying 182 days in India?
Yes. An NRI with a valid Indian passport can enrol at any centre on arrival. Use Form 1 if you have an Indian address proof, or Form 2 to enrol with the foreign address in your passport.
What is the acknowledgement slip for?
It proves you enrolled and carries the Enrolment ID. You need it to check status, to download the e-Aadhaar before the letter arrives, and to quote when you call 1947.
Is the downloaded e-Aadhaar as valid as the posted letter?
Yes. UIDAI treats the Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card and the Aadhaar app as equally valid.
Is a mobile number compulsory for enrolment?
No, not for resident Indians. But register one. OTP-based services, including the e-Aadhaar download, work only with the mobile number recorded in Aadhaar.
Official links
Sources
Every fee, time limit, form and address above was read on these official pages on 12 October 2026.
- UIDAI, Aadhaar Enrolment Supports Enrolment is free; any authorised centre in India; document-based and Head of Family based enrolment; enrol only once; waiting time 180 days after the data reaches CIDR
- UIDAI, FAQ, Enrolment and Update Supports No online or postal enrolment; originals required and returned; data captured; mobile and email optional (email mandatory for NRI); no age limit; 30 days (0 to 18) and 180 days (18+) generation time; letter printed within 10 days of generation; rejection reasons and re-enrolment; child under 5 procedure; birth certificate rule for children born on or after 01-10-2023; four types of centre; Seva Kendra timings; appointment rescheduling; 1947 IVRS options; Print Aadhaar Rs 30; Mandatory Biometric Update
- UIDAI, List of Acceptable Documents for Aadhaar Enrolment and Update (PDF) Supports Lists I, II and III of documents by age group and what each proves; conditions for a document to be accepted; Head of Family rules for children; validity of Aadhaar for OCI and foreign nationals
- UIDAI, Enrolment and Updates (forms page) Supports The separate enrolment forms for resident adults, children, NRIs and resident foreign nationals
- UIDAI, Form 1, Aadhaar Enrolment and Update (PDF) Supports Form 1 is for resident Indians and NRIs with Indian address proof aged 18 and above; fields; verified, declared or approximate date of birth; 182 day residence declaration; passport is the only POI for NRIs; fee table printed on the form
- UIDAI, Forms 2 to 6 (PDF) Supports Form 5 is for a resident child (or NRI child with Indian address proof) below 5 years; Forms 2, 3, 4 and 6 titles were read from the same folder
- UIDAI, Aadhaar Enrolment and Update charges (PDF) Supports Enrolment free; biometric update free at 5 to 7 and 15 to 17 years, otherwise Rs 125, and free between 7 and 15 years till 30.9.2027
- UIDAI, Aadhaar Seva Kendra Supports Seva Kendras open all 7 days 9:30 am to 5:30 pm; services offered; free appointment booking at bookappointment.uidai.gov.in without a registered mobile; maximum 2 appointments a month; walk-in tokens
- UIDAI, FAQ, Your Aadhaar (NRI and Aadhaar) Supports NRI enrolment process; 182 day condition not applicable to NRIs; Forms 2, 4 or 6 for an address outside India; e-Aadhaar sent by email to NRIs with a foreign address
- UIDAI, Aadhaar Generation Supports Quality checks and de-duplication before a number is issued; letter delivered by India Post
- myAadhaar portal, Check Enrolment or Update Status Supports Status check by 14 digit enrolment number, date and time from the slip (optional) and captcha; link to retrieve a lost EID
- myAadhaar portal, home page Supports Menu labels (Plan Enrolment, Book an Appointment, Locate Enrolment Centre, Check Enrolment / Update Status); helpline 1947 and help@uidai.gov.in
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