How To Apply For Aadhaar Card

Aadhaar card application is free of cost. The steps to be followed to successfully apply for an Aadhaar card and number are provided below:

1. Locating an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre

Whether you wish to apply for the card for yourself or a family member, you will have to visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre to make the application. Enrolment can be done free of cost. There are multiple centres across the country and you can search for one that is nearest to you.

2. Authorised Aadhaar Enrolment Centre

To search for an enrolment centre nearest to you, you can visit UIDAI website mention state, postal code, or other search criteria in the search box. The search results will fetch the addresses of centres closest to you. It also offers information on these centres including whether they are temporary/permanent, the number of enrolments permitted and completed in the last 30 days, and timing of last updated information.

3. Submitting Supporting Documents at Enrolment Centre

Once you know about the nearest enrolment centre, you can visit the centre along with the requisite documents. These include:

• Identity proof documents – PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, etc.
• Address proof documents – Water/Electricity/Gas Bill, Passport, etc.
• In case you don’t have any personal valid document, you can furnish family entitlement document containing your details (head of the family must be enrolled for Aadhaar in this case).
• If neither of the above is available, you can seek help from an Introducer at the enrolment centre who is appointed by the Registrar and has a valid Aadhaar number.

Details of a comprehensive set of acceptable documents for enrolment is available under the List of Supporting Documents published by UIDAI on the official website.

4. Aadhaar Enrolment

When you visit the centre along with the necessary documents, you will need to complete the following steps for Aadhaar enrolment.

• The enrolment form can be sourced from the centre and must be filled with your personal details.
• Capturing demographic data – your name, date of birth, address, gender, and mobile number has to be mandatorily provided. You may also provide your email address, but this is optional.
• Biometrics information – Your photograph will be taken at the centre along with your fingerprints and a scan of your irises.
• Children below the age of 5 – Parent’s/guardian’s name, Aadhaar, and biometrics to be provided.
• Review all the details provided, make any corrections if needed during the review process and complete enrolment.
• You will receive an acknowledgement slip containing your enrolment number and other details that were collected.

During the enrolment process, you can review all the details provided and make any changes or corrections on the spot, if needed. However, if you need to make any corrections after you have already enrolled, you will be given 96 hours post enrolment to visit the centre, provide the acknowledgement slip, and make changes to any information you previously provided.

After enrolling for Aadhaar card, you can check the status of your application at an Enrolment Centre. Alternatively, you can also check the status online. You will need your Enrolment ID or EID in order to check your status. EID can be found on top of the acknowledgement slip you received after enrolment.

EID is a 28-digit number comprising two parts:

• 14-digit enrolment number in the format 012/01234/012345 and
• 14-digit date and time of enrolment in the format dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm:ss

To check your status, you only need the 14-digit enrolment number. Providing the remaining 14 digits is optional. If you have your EID number, you can check your status by visiting the Check Aadhaar Status webpage on the UIDAI website. In case you have lost or forgotten your EID, you can retrieve it by visiting Retrieve Lost or Forgotten EID/UID webpage on the UIDAI website. It takes around 60 to 90 days to get your Aadhaar card after your data has been collected and uploaded to the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR).

An electronic copy of your Aadhaar can be sourced using your EID from eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in Navigate to Aadhaar webpage on the UIDAI website to download your copy. The card comes as a PDF file and it is generally password-protected.

End Note

Aadhaar card application is a simple process as long as you furnish the right set of documents. All the documents must be genuine and sourced from the right authorities, especially when it concerns government agencies.