National ID card renewal in India
Renewing an Indian National ID card, specifically the Aadhaar card, typically involves updating demographic or biometric information rather than a periodic renewal based on an expiry date. The Aadhaar card itself does not have an expiry date for adults; however, children's Aadhaar cards (Bal Aadhaar) require biometric updates at specific ages.
For adult Aadhaar cardholders, there is no fixed renewal period; updates are usually initiated when there is a change in personal information, such as address or mobile number. For children, mandatory biometric updates are required at age 5 and again at age 15. It is advisable to plan these updates in advance, considering potential waiting times for appointments at Aadhaar Enrolment Centres.
Start 14 days ahead
This lead time accounts for booking an appointment at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre and the processing time for updates, which can vary.
The process
- 1Identify if an update is needed: This is generally for changes in demographic details (name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile number, email) or for mandatory biometric updates for children.
- 2Locate an Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Centre: Find the nearest centre through the UIDAI website or mAadhaar app.
- 3Book an appointment (optional but recommended): Many centres allow booking an online appointment to save time.
- 4Gather necessary documents: Prepare supporting documents for the specific update required (e.g., proof of identity, proof of address, proof of relationship).
- 5Visit the Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Centre: Submit the update request, provide biometrics (if required for the update), and pay the applicable fee.
- 6Collect the acknowledgement slip: This slip contains the Update Request Number (URN) to track the status of the update.
- 7Check update status: Track the update status online using the URN.
What to bring
- Original supporting documents for the update being requested (e.g., Proof of Identity (PoI), Proof of Address (PoA), Proof of Relationship (PoR), Proof of Date of Birth (DoB)). A comprehensive list of acceptable documents is available on the UIDAI website.
- Aadhaar card (if available, for reference).
Who handles it
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
Fees for Aadhaar updates are specified by UIDAI and are subject to change. As of a recent update, biometric updates and demographic updates generally incur a fee, payable at the enrolment centre. For specific current fees, refer to the official UIDAI website.
What commonly goes wrong
- Ensure all supporting documents are original and valid, as photocopies are generally not accepted without verification against originals.
- Verify the correct spelling and details on the update form before submission to avoid rejections.
- For biometric updates for children, ensure the update is performed around the mandated ages (5 and 15 years) to avoid deactivation of the Aadhaar number.
- Be aware of unofficial websites or agents offering Aadhaar services; always use official UIDAI channels or certified Aadhaar Enrolment Centres.
Sources
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) uidai.gov.in
- Aadhaar Seva Kendra appointments.uidai.gov.in
Other documents in India
National ID card renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
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