Aadhaar Enrolment Guide

What is Aadhaar Enrolment?

Aadhaar enrolment is the one-time process where UIDAI collects your personal details (name, address, date of birth, gender) and biometric data (fingerprints, iris scans, photograph) to generate a unique 12-digit Aadhaar number for you.

Once enrolled, you can download your e-Aadhaar (a downloadable digital copy), and UIDAI also sends a physical Aadhaar letter to your address by post. You can later order a PVC card if you want a durable, wallet-sized version.

• Aadhaar enrolment is completely free. No one should charge you for it.
• It's voluntary, not mandatory. But practically speaking, you'll need it for bank accounts, SIM cards, government schemes, tax filing, and a lot more.
• Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship. It's an identity and address verification document for residents of India. This has been clarified by both UIDAI and the Supreme Court.

Who Can Enrol for Aadhaar?

• Indian citizens of any age, from newborns to senior citizens
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who have an Indian address and meet residency requirements
• Foreign nationals residing in India for 182 days or more in the 12 months before enrolment (with valid passport and visa)

What Documents Do You Need?

You'll need to carry documents for three things: proving your identity, proving your address, and proving your date of birth. In most cases, a single document can serve as proof for more than one purpose.

Proof of Identity (PoI)

Any one of these with your name and photo:

• Passport
• PAN card
• Voter ID
• Driving licence
• Ration card with photo
• Government-issued ID card
• School or college ID with photo
• Marriage certificate (with photo and name)

Proof of Address (PoA)

Any one of these with your current address:

• Passport
• Voter ID
• Driving licence
• Ration card
• Utility bill (electricity, water, gas) not older than 3 months
• Bank or post office passbook with address
• Property tax receipt (not older than 1 year)
• Rent or lease agreement
• Employer letter on official letterhead

Proof of Date of Birth (DoB)

Any one of these:

• Birth certificate
• SSLC or 10th class certificate
• Passport
• PAN card
• Certificate from a government hospital or school

For Children

• Parent or guardian's Aadhaar number (mandatory)
• Child's birth certificate (serves as both DoB proof and Proof of Relationship)
• For children under 5, only a photograph is needed. No fingerprints or iris scan.

For Foreign Nationals

• Valid passport with visa
• OCI or PIO card (if applicable)
• Indian address proof (rental agreement, utility bill, etc.)

How to Book an Appointment (Optional)

You can walk into any Aadhaar enrolment centre without an appointment, but booking an appointment online lets you pick a date and time slot.

• Go to appointments.uidai.gov.in
• Select your city and choose a nearby Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) or Registrar-run centre
• Pick the service you need (select "New Aadhaar Enrolment")
• Enter your mobile number (doesn't need to be Aadhaar-registered) and verify with OTP
• Fill in the form with your details and choose a date and time
• Confirm the appointment and note your Token ID

The Enrolment Process (What Happens at the Centre)

Here's what to expect when you visit the enrolment centre:

1. Carry Your Documents

Bring the originals of your Proof of Identity, Proof of Address, and Proof of Date of Birth. Also carry photocopies. The operator will verify the originals and return them to you.

2. Fill the Enrolment Form

You'll get an enrolment form at the centre (you can also download it from the UIDAI website beforehand). Fill in your name, gender, date of birth, full address, mobile number, and email (optional). For children, the parent or guardian fills the form and provides their own Aadhaar number.

Take your time with the form. Whatever you write here is what goes on your Aadhaar. Spelling mistakes in your name or errors in your address can cause problems later, and correcting them requires a separate update request.

3. Document Verification

The operator at the centre checks your documents against what you've filled in the form. They enter your details into the UIDAI system. Your originals are returned after verification.

4. Biometric Data Collection

• Photograph: A front-facing photo is taken at the centre
• Fingerprints: All 10 fingerprints are scanned one by one
• Iris scan: Both eyes are scanned (you'll need to look into a device for a few seconds)

For children under 5: Only a photograph is taken. No fingerprints or iris scan. This is called Baal Aadhaar (more on this below).

5. Review and Confirm

Before submitting, the operator shows you a summary of the data entered. Check your name, date of birth, address, and gender carefully. If anything looks wrong, get it corrected right there. It's much easier to fix at this stage than after your Aadhaar is generated.

6. Collect Your Acknowledgement Slip

After submission, you receive an acknowledgement slip with your 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID). This EID is made up of a 14-digit enrolment number and a 14-digit date/time stamp.

Keep this slip safe. You'll need the EID to check your enrolment status and to download your e-Aadhaar once it's generated.

Aadhaar for Children (Baal Aadhaar)

Children's Aadhaar enrolment works a bit differently depending on their age.

Children Under 5 Years

Kids below 5 get a Baal Aadhaar, which is a blue-coloured card. Here's how it works:

• Only a photograph is captured. No fingerprints, no iris scan.
• A parent or guardian must be present and provide their own Aadhaar number
• You'll need the child's birth certificate as Proof of Relationship and Date of Birth
• The child's Aadhaar is linked to the parent's Aadhaar

Baal Aadhaar is valid until the child turns 5. After that, a mandatory biometric update is needed where fingerprints and iris scans are collected for the first time.

Children Aged 5 to 15

From age 5 onwards, the process is the same as adults. Full biometrics (fingerprints, iris, photo) are collected. You can use the parent's Aadhaar along with a Proof of Relationship document, or the child's own PoI and PoA if available.

Mandatory Biometric Updates

UIDAI requires two biometric updates for children:

• After turning 5: First mandatory update (free of charge)
• After turning 15: Second mandatory update (free of charge)

Missing these updates can cause issues with Aadhaar-based authentication and linked services later on. It's best to get them done on time.

What If You Don't Have Documents?

Not everyone has a passport, voter ID, or utility bill in their name. UIDAI has provisions for people who lack standard documents.

Introducer-Based Enrolment

An Introducer is a person authorized by UIDAI (such as a government official, NGO representative, or community leader) who can vouch for your identity and address. Here's how it works:

1. Visit an Aadhaar enrolment centre that supports Introducer-based enrolment (not all do, so call 1947 to find one near you)
2. The Introducer comes with you and verifies your identity on the enrolment form
3. You provide your biometric data as usual
4. You receive the acknowledgement slip with your EID

Head of Family (HoF) Based Enrolment

If a family member (parent, spouse, etc.) already has Aadhaar, they can help you enrol through the Head of Family system:

1. The HoF provides their Aadhaar number and a Proof of Relationship document (like a ration card, marriage certificate, or birth certificate)
2. You fill the enrolment form with your details
3. The HoF must be present during enrolment
4. You provide your biometric data and receive the EID

This is especially useful for homemakers, elderly family members, or anyone who doesn't have documents in their own name.

Enrolment for NRIs and Foreign Nationals

NRIs

NRIs can enrol for Aadhaar as long as they have a valid Indian address proof. They'll need:

• Indian passport (or passport with valid visa)
• Indian address proof (utility bill, bank passbook, rental agreement, etc.)

Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals residing in India can also enrol, provided they've been living in India for 182 days or more in the 12 months before enrolment. Documents needed:

• Valid passport with visa
• Indian address proof

What Happens After Enrolment

Once you walk out of the centre with your acknowledgement slip, here's what to expect:

Check Your Status

Your Aadhaar number is usually generated within 5 to 15 working days, though UIDAI officially says it can take up to 90 days in some cases. You'll get an SMS or email notification once it's ready.

To check manually:

• Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
• Click "Check Enrolment or Update Status"

• Enter your 28-digit EID and captcha
• Click Submit to see the current stage

Download Your e-Aadhaar

Once the status shows "Aadhaar Generated" or "Completed," you can download your e-Aadhaar:

• Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
• Click "Download Aadhaar"

• Enter your Aadhaar number or EID and verify with OTP
• Download the PDF

Receive the Aadhaar Letter by Post

UIDAI also sends a physical Aadhaar letter to your registered address through India Post. This can take up to 90 days. But since you can download the e-Aadhaar much sooner, you don't need to wait for the letter.

Order a PVC Card (Optional)

If you want a durable, credit card sized Aadhaar, you can order a PVC card from the myAadhaar portal for ₹75. Delivery takes about 10 to 20 working days.

Enrolment Fees and Charges

Important Notes