UIDAI Aadhaar enrolment guide | Updated November 2026

How to Apply for Aadhaar Card in 2026: Application Form, Documents and Enrolment Process

A new Aadhaar number cannot be issued entirely online. Applicants must visit an authorised Aadhaar enrolment centre for identity verification and applicable biometric capture. Forms, centre searches and appointments are available through UIDAI online services.

Who can apply for Aadhaar?

Under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, an eligible resident may obtain an Aadhaar number by submitting demographic and biometric information as prescribed. For this purpose, a resident generally means a person who has resided in India for at least 182 days in the 12 months immediately preceding the enrolment application. Special rules apply to non-resident Indian citizens and certain other categories; consult UIDAI before applying.

Adults and children can enrol. For children below five years, fingerprints and iris scans are generally not captured at initial enrolment; the parent or guardian participates in the prescribed process. Mandatory biometric updates apply at specified ages under UIDAI rules.

How to download the Aadhaar application form

1. Open the official UIDAI Enrolment and Updates page.
2. Select the correct enrolment or update form for your category: adult, child, NRI or resident foreign national, as applicable.
3. Download and print the latest form, or obtain it at an authorised enrolment centre.
4. Fill in the requested particulars accurately and take the form and original supporting documents to the centre.

There is no separate paid online application for first-time Aadhaar generation. An online appointment, where available, is a convenience and does not replace in-person enrolment.

Documents required for Aadhaar enrolment

UIDAI specifies acceptable documents according to applicant category and enrolment mode. Common document categories include:

• Proof of Identity (PoI): an approved document establishing the applicant's name and identity.
• Proof of Address (PoA): an approved document establishing the address.
• Proof of Date of Birth (PDB): an approved document where verified date of birth is required.
• Proof of Relationship (PoR): relevant to eligible Head of Family or child enrolment procedures.

Examples may include a valid passport or other documents accepted for the relevant purpose in UIDAI's current schedule. A document accepted for identity is not automatically accepted for address or date of birth. Review the latest official document list and forms, including the amended Schedule II, before visiting. Bring originals for verification; they are returned after processing.

For children born on or after 1 October 2023, UIDAI's applicable enrolment instructions require a birth certificate in the relevant cases. Requirements for NRIs, foreign nationals and guardians differ by category.

How to apply for a new Aadhaar card: step-by-step

1. Locate a centre: Find an authorised Aadhaar enrolment centre using the UIDAI website.
2. Book an appointment if desired: Check availability using the official UIDAI appointment service.
3. Carry the form and documents: Take your completed form and originals of the prescribed supporting documents.
4. Submit and verify details: The operator checks your documents and records your name, date of birth, gender, address and other applicable particulars.
5. Complete biometrics: A facial photograph, fingerprints and iris scans are captured as applicable to your age and enrolment category. Iris scanning is not retina scanning.
6. Review the record: Check spellings, date of birth, address and language carefully before final submission.
7. Collect the acknowledgement: Keep the enrolment acknowledgement containing your Enrolment ID (EID) for future tracking.

UIDAI carries out checks before generating an Aadhaar number. Processing time varies; avoid relying on an outdated fixed three-month estimate.

Check Aadhaar application status and download e-Aadhaar

Use the myAadhaar portal to check enrolment status with the requested identifiers. Once Aadhaar is generated, download e-Aadhaar using an available UIDAI authentication method. The electronic Aadhaar is a valid form of Aadhaar.

Read our related guides to check Aadhaar status, retrieve a lost enrolment ID, and download or print a duplicate Aadhaar.

Updating Aadhaar after enrolment

Changes to address and certain document-related services may be available online, subject to UIDAI's current rules and registered-mobile OTP requirements. Mobile number changes and biometric updates ordinarily require a visit to an authorised centre. See our Aadhaar mobile number update guide. Fees for updates, unlike first-time enrolment, may apply under the prevailing UIDAI schedule.

Applicable Aadhaar law and legal provisions

Aadhaar Act, 2016: Section 2

Section 2 contains statutory definitions, including the meaning of an Aadhaar number and a resident. These definitions determine the scope of the enrolment framework.

Section 3: Aadhaar number

Section 3 provides for entitlement to an Aadhaar number for eligible individuals on submission of the prescribed demographic and biometric information and completion of enrolment requirements.

Section 23: Powers and functions of UIDAI

Section 23 establishes UIDAI's functions, including the regulation of enrolment processes and related services under the Act.

Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, as amended

These regulations prescribe enrolment and update procedures, forms, verification, biometrics and acceptable supporting documents. The 2026 amendment revised Schedule II relating to acceptable documents. Read the official regulations and amendments and the 2026 amendment notification.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a new Aadhaar card entirely online?

No. You can obtain forms and book an appointment online, but first-time enrolment requires an in-person visit for verification and applicable biometrics.

Is Aadhaar enrolment free?

Yes. First-time Aadhaar enrolment is free of charge. Subsequent updates may have prescribed fees.

Can I visit a centre without an appointment?

Many centres accept walk-in applicants subject to local arrangements and capacity. Check the centre's current instructions before visiting.

What if I lose my enrolment slip?

UIDAI offers retrieval options subject to verification. See our lost enrolment ID guide.

Where can I get official help?

Visit uidai.gov.in or use the UIDAI helpline 1947.

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not an official UIDAI service. Requirements, forms and charges may change; verify them on the UIDAI website. This page does not request or collect Aadhaar enrolment details.