Aadhaar is a special 12-digit identification number for people in India. It acts like a digital identity card, helping to prove who you are and where you live.

Why is Aadhaar important for me?

Aadhaar helps you access many services, such as opening a bank account or getting government benefits. It allows service providers to quickly and safely confirm your identity.

What papers can I use to prove who I am for Aadhaar?

You can use official papers like your Passport, Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card, Voter ID Card, or Driving Licence. These should have your name and a photo.

What papers can I use to show my home address for Aadhaar?

You can use official papers like your Passport, a recent Bank Statement or Passbook, your Voter ID Card, or a recent Electricity Bill. These must show your name and current address.

What papers can I use to prove my date of birth for Aadhaar?

You can use documents such as your Birth Certificate, Passport, or Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card. These papers must clearly state your full date of birth.

How do I enrol my child for Aadhaar?

For children under 5, biometrics are not taken; their Aadhaar is linked to a parent's. For children aged 5 to 15, biometrics are collected. A parent or guardian must always go with the child and provide their own Aadhaar details.

What if I do not have all the common papers for Aadhaar?

You can use an 'Introducer' who already has an Aadhaar and is known by the enrolment centre to confirm your details. Another way is 'Head of Family' enrolment, where a family head can introduce other family members using a valid relationship document.

Aadhaar Enrollment: Mandatory Documents Guide

Aadhaar is a unique 12-digit identification number that is very important for people living in India. Think of it as your special digital identity card. It helps to prove who you are and where you live, making many everyday tasks much simpler. To get your Aadhaar, you need to provide some official papers, and understanding which ones are needed is the first step.

Understanding What Aadhaar Is For You

Why Aadhaar Matters in Your Daily Life

Imagine needing to open a bank account, apply for a scholarship, or even get certain government benefits. Aadhaar often acts as a key that unlocks these services for you. It helps government departments and service providers confirm your identity quickly and securely. This means less paperwork and a smoother experience for you when accessing important services. It’s designed to make your life easier and ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to.

The Importance of Correct Documents for Enrollment

When you apply for Aadhaar, the information you provide needs to be absolutely accurate. This includes your name, address, date of birth, and how you relate to your family. The official documents you present act as proof of this information. If your documents are correct and match the details you give, your Aadhaar enrollment process will be much smoother and quicker. Providing the right papers from the start helps to prevent any delays or problems later on.

Proving Who You Are: Documents for Identity (PoI)

What Official Papers Show Your Identity

Proof of Identity, often shortened to PoI, means official documents that clearly show who you are. These papers usually have your name and a photograph of you. They help the Aadhaar system confirm that the person applying is genuinely you.

Easy-to-Understand Examples of Identity Proofs

Here are some common and widely accepted documents you can use to prove your identity:

Your Passport
Your Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card
Your Voter ID Card
Your Driving Licence
Any government-issued photo identity card or certificate
Photo Bank Passbook (from a scheduled commercial bank)
Photo Credit Card (from a scheduled commercial bank)
Your National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) Job Card

Showing Where You Live: Documents for Address (PoA)

What Official Papers Confirm Your Home Address

Proof of Address, or PoA, refers to official documents that confirm where you live. These papers should clearly state your name and your current residential address. This is important to ensure that your Aadhaar is linked to your correct home location.

Simple Examples of Address Proofs

You can use several types of documents as proof of your address:

Your Passport
Your Bank Statement or Passbook (not older than 3 months)
Your Post Office Account Statement or Passbook (not older than 3 months)
Your Ration Card
Your Voter ID Card
Your Driving Licence
Electricity Bill (not older than 3 months)
Water Bill (not older than 3 months)
Telephone Landline Bill (not older than 3 months)
Property Tax Receipt
Credit Card Statement (not older than 3 months)
Government-issued employee identity card
Registered Sale/Lease/Rent Agreement

Confirming When You Were Born: Documents for Date of Birth (DoB)

What Official Papers State Your Birth Date

Proof of Date of Birth, or DoB, includes official documents that clearly show your full date of birth. This is a crucial piece of information for your Aadhaar record, ensuring it matches your official birth details.

Clear Examples of Date of Birth Proofs

Here are some common documents that can serve as proof of your date of birth:

Your Birth Certificate
Your Passport
Your Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card
A certificate of your date of birth issued by a Group A Gazetted Officer on their official letterhead
Any mark sheet issued by a government board or university

Establishing Family Ties: Documents for Relationship (PoR)

What Official Papers Show Your Connection to a Family Member

Proof of Relationship, or PoR, is sometimes needed, especially when enrolling children. These documents show your connection to another family member, usually a parent or guardian. This helps to link family members together in the Aadhaar system, particularly when a child might not have other independent identity documents.

Key Examples for Proving Relationships, Especially for Children

When enrolling children, you might use:

Your Ration Card
Your National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) Job Card
A Pension Payment Order (PPO) for parents
Your Army Canteen Card
Your Passport
A Birth Certificate (showing parent’s name)
A government-issued Marriage Certificate

Special Situations for Aadhaar Enrollment

Enrolling Children: What You Need to Know

Enrolling children for Aadhaar is a slightly different process. For children under 5 years old, their biometrics (fingerprints and iris scans) are not collected. Their Aadhaar is linked to one of their parents’ Aadhaar. When a child turns 5, and again at 15, they will need to update their biometrics. For children between 5 and 15 years old, their biometrics are collected, just like for adults. A parent or guardian must always accompany the child and provide their own Aadhaar details.

When You Don’t Have All the Usual Documents

What if you don’t have all the standard documents for identity or address? Don’t worry, there are still ways to enroll. You can use an ‘Introducer’ who is already an Aadhaar holder and recognised by the enrollment centre. This Introducer can confirm your identity and address. Another option, especially for family members, is ‘Head of Family’ based enrollment, where the Head of Family can introduce other family members if they have a valid PoR document.

Your Next Steps After Document Submission

What Happens at an Aadhaar Enrollment Centre

Once you arrive at an Aadhaar enrollment centre, you will fill out an enrollment form. Then, the staff will help you verify your documents. After this, your biometrics will be captured – this involves taking your fingerprints, a scan of your eyes (iris), and a photograph of you. All this information is carefully recorded. Finally, you will receive an acknowledgement slip with an Enrollment ID. Keep this slip safe!

How Your Information Is Checked

After you submit your details and documents, your information is sent to the central Aadhaar system for verification. Experts carefully check everything to make sure it’s correct and unique. This process helps to prevent duplicate Aadhaar numbers and ensures the integrity of the system.

Getting Your Aadhaar After Successful Enrollment

Once your information has been successfully verified, your Aadhaar number will be generated. You can usually check the status of your Aadhaar application online using the Enrollment ID from your acknowledgement slip. Once it’s ready, you can easily download your e-Aadhaar (electronic Aadhaar) from the official website. A physical Aadhaar letter will also be sent to your registered address by post.

Aadhaar Enrollment: What Mandatory Documents You Need