My India Forums

1. How to Apply for a New Aadhaar in India

Step 1: Locate an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre

You can apply for Aadhaar only by visiting an authorized centre.
These centres are usually located in:

(a) Banks
(b) Post offices
(c) Government offices
(d) Aadhaar Seva Kendras

Step 2: Book an Appointment (Optional but Recommended)

You can book an online appointment through the UIDAI website for faster processing.
Walk-ins are also allowed at most centres.

Step 3: Carry the Required Documents

You need to take any one document from each of the following categories:

(a) Proof of Identity (POI) – e.g., Passport, PAN card, Voter ID
(b) Proof of Address (POA) – e.g., electricity bill, bank passbook, rental agreement
(c) Proof of Date of Birth (DOB) – e.g., birth certificate, SSLC certificate
(d) Proof of Relationship (only if applying as family)

(If you have none, the "Introducer" or "Head of Family" method can also be used.)

Step 4: Visit the Enrolment Centre

At the centre:

(a) Fill out the Aadhaar enrolment form
(b) Submit your documents
(c) Biometrics will be taken:
(i) Fingerprints of both hands
(ii) Iris scan
(iii) Photograph

You will receive an Enrolment Acknowledgment Slip with a 14-digit number.

Step 5: Aadhaar Generation

Data is verified by UIDAI.
Normally it takes 7–90 days (depending on verification load).

Step 6: Download Aadhaar

Once generated, you can download your Aadhaar from the UIDAI website using:

(a) Your Aadhaar number
(b) Or Enrolment ID
(c) Or Virtual ID
(d) An e-Aadhaar PDF is also valid everywhere.

2 How to Make Changes/Corrections in Aadhaar

You can update Aadhaar details online or offline, depending on the type of correction.

(a) Details You Can Update Online (Through UIDAI Website)

These details can be changed without visiting a centre:

(i) Mobile Number (if already linked once)
(ii) Address (with valid document)
(iii) Name (minor changes allowed) – depending on rules
(iv) Date of Birth (only within allowed limits)
(v) Email ID

Online Updating Process

(1) Go to the UIDAI Self Service Update Portal.
(2) Login with your Aadhaar number and OTP (sent to your registered mobile).
(3) Select the detail you want to update.
(4) Upload the supporting document (if required).
(5) Pay the online update fee (if applicable).
(6) You will receive an Update Request Number (URN) to track status.

(b) Details Updated Only at an Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Centre

These changes require biometrics and must be done offline:

(i) Mobile Number (if first-time linking)
(ii) Biometrics (fingerprints, iris, photo)
(iii) Gender change
(iv) Significant Name or Address corrections
(v) Date of Birth change beyond allowed limit

Process at the Centre

(1) Visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or authorized update centre.
(2) Fill out the Aadhaar Update/Correction Form.
(3) Provide supporting documents.
(4) Biometrics will be validated.
(5) Pay the update fee.
(6) You will get an Update Receipt with URN to track your request.

3 Common Documents Required for Aadhaar Update
For Name Change

(a) Passport
(b) PAN Card
(c) Voter ID
(d) Marriage certificate
(e) Gazette publication (for major name changes)

For Address Update

(a) Rental agreement
(b) Bank passbook
(c) Utility bills
(d) Passport
(e) Aadhaar of a family head (HoF process)

For Date of Birth Update

(a) Birth certificate
(b) School certificate
(c) Passport

4. Aadhaar Update Fees

(a) Online update: Small fee (varies by UIDAI rules)
(b) Centre update: Fee per update request

5. Track Aadhaar Status

You can track:

(a) Enrolment status
(b) Update status

Using your:

(a) EID (Enrolment ID)
(b) URN (Update Request Number)
(c) Aadhaar number

Available on UIDAI website.