How to Apply for an Aadhaar Card: Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

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Key Points

Applying for an Aadhaar card involves visiting an authorized enrolment centre, as it cannot be done fully online.
You need to provide proof of identity and address, and your biometric data (fingerprints and iris scan) will be captured.
The process is free, and it typically takes 60 days to 3 months to receive your Aadhaar card.

Overview

The Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India, serving as proof of identity and address. It is linked to your biometric data, making it a secure identification document. Below, we outline the steps to apply, the required documents, and additional details to ensure a smooth process.

Step-by-Step Guide

Find an Enrolment Centre:

Locate an authorized Aadhaar enrolment centre near you using the UIDAI website: UIDAI Appointment System.
You can book an appointment online to avoid long waits, or walk in directly.

Prepare Required Documents:

You need one valid Proof of Identity (PoI) and one valid Proof of Address (PoA). Examples include:
- PoI: Election photo ID card, Ration card, Passport, Driving license, PAN card.
- PoA: Water/electricity/landline telephone bills (last three months), Ration card, Passport.
If you lack these, alternatives like a Certificate of Identity issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar are acceptable.

Fill the Enrolment Form:

At the centre, fill out the enrolment form with your details, including name, date of birth, gender, address, and optional mobile number and email ID.

Submit Documents and Capture Biometrics:

Submit your documents for verification.
Your biometric data (face photograph, 10 fingerprints, 2 iris scans) will be captured. For children under 5, biometrics are not required initially, but parent/guardian details are needed.

Receive Acknowledgement Slip:

After enrolment, you’ll get an acknowledgement slip with a 14-digit Enrolment ID to track your application status.

Wait for Aadhaar Generation:

It typically takes 60 days to 3 months for your Aadhaar to be generated. You can check the status using your Enrolment ID on the UIDAI website or via SMS.

Additional Information

The process is free of cost, though some private centres may charge a nominal fee for services.
For family enrolment, the Head of Family must enrol first, then introduce other members with proof of relationship.
After generation, you can download an e-Aadhaar from the UIDAI website, which is as valid as the physical card.

Comprehensive Guide to Applying for an Aadhaar Card

This detailed guide provides a thorough overview of the process to apply for an Aadhaar card, based on information from official UIDAI resources and trusted financial and government service portals. The Aadhaar card, a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), serves as a critical proof of identity and address, linked to an individual’s biometric data, including fingerprints and iris scans. This document is essential for various government and financial services in India.

Background and Eligibility

The Aadhaar system aims to provide a unique identity to all residents of India, ensuring ease of access to services. Eligibility extends to Indian citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and certain foreign nationals residing in India under specific visa categories. For NRIs, recent updates have simplified the process, allowing application with a valid Indian passport without the previous 182-day residency requirement, as per amendments made in 2019.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The application process requires visiting an authorized Aadhaar enrolment centre, as it cannot be completed fully online due to the need for biometric capture. Below is a detailed breakdown:

Locate and Visit an Enrolment Centre

Use the UIDAI website to find an authorized enrolment centre. The appointment system at UIDAI Appointment System allows you to search by location and book an appointment, reducing wait times. Alternatively, walk-ins are accepted, though booking is recommended.
Ensure the centre is operational, as some may be temporary Aadhaar camps.

Prepare Necessary Documents

You must provide one valid Proof of Identity (PoI) and one valid Proof of Address (PoA). The UIDAI accepts a wide range of documents, including:
- Proof of Identity (PoI): Election photo ID card, Ration card, Passport, Driving license, PAN card, Government ID cards.
- Proof of Address (PoA): Water/electricity/landline telephone bills (for the last three months), Ration card, Passport, Driving license.
If standard documents are unavailable, alternatives include:
- Certificate of Identity (with photo) issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar.
- Certificate of Address (with photo) issued by an MP, MLA, Gazetted Officer, Tehsildar, or Village Panchayat head (especially for rural areas).
For children, specific documents may be required:
- For children below 5 years: Birth certificate, parent/guardian’s Aadhaar, and no initial biometrics (to be updated at age 5).
- For children between 5-15 years: Birth certificate, bonafide certificate from school, or identity certificate issued by a Gazetted Officer/Tehsildar with a photo.
For family enrolment, the Head of Family (HoF) must enrol first with valid PoI and PoA, then introduce other family members using Proof of Relationship (PoR), such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.

Complete the Enrolment Form

At the enrolment centre, obtain and fill out the enrolment form. Provide accurate demographic details, including:
- Full name
- Date of Birth/Age
- Gender
- Residential address
- Mobile number (optional, for communication)
- Email ID (optional, for updates)
Ensure all information is correct, as discrepancies may delay processing.

Document Submission and Biometric Capture

Submit your PoI and PoA documents to the enrolment operator for verification.
Your biometric data will be captured, which includes:
- A photograph of your face
- 10 fingerprints
- 2 iris scans
For children below 5 years, biometric capture is not required initially, but the parent/guardian’s name, Aadhaar number, and biometrics must be provided. Biometrics must be updated when the child turns 5 to ensure continued validity.

Receive Acknowledgement Slip

Upon completion, you will receive an acknowledgement slip containing your 14-digit Enrolment ID, the date and time of enrolment, and other details. This slip is crucial for tracking your application status.

Await Aadhaar Generation

The enrolment data is processed and sent to the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR). It typically takes 60 days to 3 months for the Aadhaar to be generated, though delays may occur in some cases.
You can check the status of your application using:
- The UIDAI website by entering your Enrolment ID.
- SMS: Send “UID STATUS <14-digit enrollment number>” to 51969 to receive updates via SMS.

Download e-Aadhaar (Optional)

Once generated, you can download an electronic version (e-Aadhaar) from the UIDAI website, which is as valid as the physical card for most purposes.
Steps to download:
- Visit UIDAI e-Aadhaar Portal.
- Select whether to use your Aadhaar number or Enrolment ID.
- Enter the required details (Aadhaar/enrolment number, full name, mobile number, PIN code, and image captcha).
- Verify with an OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Download the PDF, which is password-protected (use your PIN code to open).

Additional Considerations

Cost: Aadhaar enrolment is free of cost. However, some private enrolment centres may charge a nominal fee for their services, which is not mandated by UIDAI.
Online Services: While the initial application requires a physical visit, you can book appointments online via the UIDAI website. Additionally, updates or corrections to existing Aadhaar details can be done online for certain fields like address, but biometric updates require a centre visit.
Special Cases:
NRIs: Can apply with a valid Indian passport as both PoI and PoA, with no residency requirement, as per the 2019 amendment.
Minors Under 5: No biometrics required initially, but must update at age 5. For children between 5-15, additional documents like school certificates may be needed.
Multiple Enrolments: Enrolment can only be done once. Multiple attempts may result in rejection unless advised by UIDAI, ensuring uniqueness of the Aadhaar number.
Delivery: The physical Aadhaar card is sent to your registered residential address via post. Alternatively, the e-Aadhaar can be downloaded for immediate use.

Table: Summary of Required Documents

Category	Examples
Proof of Identity (PoI)	Election photo ID card, Ration card, Passport, Driving license, PAN card
Proof of Address (PoA)	Water/electricity/landline bills (last 3 months), Ration card, Passport
Alternatives (if lacking)	Certificate of Identity/Address issued by Gazetted Officer/Tehsildar/MP/MLA
For Children (0-5 years)	Birth certificate, Parent/Guardian’s Aadhaar
For Children (5-15 years)	Birth certificate, Bonafide certificate, Identity certificate with photo

Table: Timeline and Fees

Aspect	Details
Processing Time	Typically 60 days to 3 months
Cost	Free (nominal fees may apply at some centres)
Status Check	Via UIDAI website or SMS to 51969

Helpline and Support

For assistance, you can contact the UIDAI helpline, though specific numbers are not detailed here. Visit the UIDAI website for the latest contact information.

This comprehensive guide ensures you have all the information needed to apply for an Aadhaar card, covering eligibility, documents, and the step-by-step process, as of the current understanding on July 4, 2025.