How to apply for your Aadhaar: A step-by-step guide

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It has become necessary for every resident of India to have an Aadhaar number. Though not compulsory, you will need it to file income tax returns and do various other things. The 12-digit unique identification number is issued by the Government of India and serves as an identity proof for residents in the country and also enables efficient regulation of public welfare schemes. It is required for adults as well as children, and if you do not have an Aadhaar card, now is a good time to apply for it. The entire process of application is simple and straightforward. You can choose to make an online or offline application, as per your convenience.

The process to apply for Aadhaar Card

Given below is a step-by -step guide on how to apply for new Aadhaar card.

• To apply for Aadhaar card, you need to find an enrolment centre near you. You will also be able to find a centre online through https://aadharcarduid.com/aadhaar-card-center.
• Once you have identified your centre, you can book an appointment online through https://aadharcarduid.com/aadhaar-card-apply-online. Alternatively, you can also visit the enrolment centre without booking an appointment.
• It is important to personally visit the enrolment centre to get enrolled because your biometrics will be captured here. Hence, you cannot send the documents by post.
• You will have to provide supporting documents including proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth. You need to bring original documents to the centre; the documents will be scanned and then returned to you.
• When you visit the enrolment centre, you will have to fill the enrolment form. This form is also available online.
• Submit this form with the supporting documents and your biometric data.
• After the collection of the details, you will be provided with an acknowledgement slip for enrolment. It will be a 14-digit enrolment number that will help you check the status of the application.
• It is possible to file your income tax return with the Aadhaar enrolment ID.
• This data will be verified, and on successful verification, an Aadhaar number will be sent to your address through post. This can take about 90 days.
• Aadhaar enrolment is free of cost and you will not have to make any payment at the centre.
• If the demographic details on the enrolment slip do not match with the supporting documents, you can get them corrected within 96 hours of the enrolment.

How to Check Aadhaar Enrolment Status

Now that you know how to apply for Aadhar card online, you need to understand how you can check the enrolment status.

• To check the status, you need to go to the UIDAI website and click on ‘Check Aadhaar status’. Now use the enrolment number provided to you at the centre.
• Once you fill in the number, you will be able to see if you have been allotted an Aadhaar number or not.
• On the acknowledgement slip, you need to look for the 14-digit enrolment number and the time and date of enrolment.
• If you have not received the card through the mail within 90 days, you can use their online service to download and print the soft copy of the Aadhaar card. This copy will be accepted everywhere. The downloaded e-Aadhaar letter will have the same validity as that of the original.
• Once your Aadhaar is generated, you will be informed through an SMS on your mobile number.

FAQS

Here are some of the most common questions related to Aadhaar card discussed below.

Do NRIs need an Aadhaar for banking and other services?

Only Indians need an Aadhaar card; NRIs are not eligible for the same. If are an Indian resident and you do not have an Aadhaar card, you need to get your Aadhar card, apply online today. NRIs need to inform the banks and all the other service providers that they are not required to provide an Aadhaar number because of their non-resident status.

The UIDAI has all my data, will it track my activities now?

A lot of people have this misconception. UIDAI does not track your activities. It only has information related to your name, address, gender and birthdate. Further, it has your mobile number, an email ID and your ten fingerprints with two iris scans. It has no information about your bank accounts, investments, religion, financial details or health records and it will not ask for any such details. Hence, if you have not applied for an Aadhaar card due to this concern, you need to get a new aadhaar card, apply online at the earliest.

There are some agencies which do not accept e-Aadhaar. Why?

e-Aadhaar is valid and considered as an original Aadhaar as issued by UIDAI. All the agencies should accept e-Aadhaar, and if they refuse to do so, you may file a complaint with higher authorities of the agencies.

Are multiple address proofs acceptable for a resident?

If you have a permanent address and a present address, UIDAI will ask you to confirm the address on which you want the Aadhaar letter to be sent. Based on your choice, UIDAI will capture the details as per documents provided by you.

I have received an SMS that my Aadhaar is rejected. What to do?

Generating an Aadhaar number involves numerous quality checks, and there are chances that it will get rejected because of some reason. Hence, if you have been informed that your Aadhaar has been rejected, you need to re-enrol yourself. For a new Aadhaar card, apply online.

What is the age limit for Aadhaar enrolment?

There is no age limit for the enrolment of Aadhaar; even a newborn baby can be enrolled for Aadhaar.

If you have not enrolled for Aadhaar yet, now is the time to do so. Enrol for Aadhaar, apply online and get your unique identification number.