How to Apply for New Aadhaar Card Online and at Centre in India

Published as on Date 20th January 2026.

Who needs this service?

Any Resident of India: Newborns, children, and adults who do not have an Aadhaar number yet.
NRIs: Non-Resident Indians holding a valid Indian Passport can apply on arrival (no 182-day wait period required).
Foreign Nationals: Residents residing in India for 182 days or more in the preceding 12 months.

1. Important Fact: Can You Apply 100% Online?

No. It is mandatory to visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for a new enrolment.

Why? Your biometrics (iris scan, fingerprints, and photograph) must be captured physically on government-authorized devices.
What you CAN do online: You can fill out the form, upload documents, and book an appointment to skip the long queues at the centre.

2. Required Documents (Checklist)

You need Original copies of documents for verification.

A. For Adults (Above 18) & Children (5–18 years): You generally need one document from each category:

Proof of Identity (PoI): Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Ration Card, Driving License.
Proof of Address (PoA): Passport, Voter ID, Ration Card, Bank Passbook (with photo), Electricity/Water Bill (not older than 3 months), Rent Agreement (Registered).
Proof of Date of Birth (DoB): Birth Certificate (Preferred/Mandatory for those born after Oct 1, 2023), Passport, PAN Card, Marksheet from a recognized board.

B. For Children Below 5 Years (Baal Aadhaar):

Child: Original Birth Certificate (Mandatory).
Parent: Aadhaar Card of any one parent (Mother or Father).
No Biometrics: Fingerprints and Iris scans are not taken for children under 5. Only a photo is clicked.

C. For Head of Family (HoF) Based Enrolment:

If you do not have documents, you can enroll using the Head of Family (HoF) mode.
Required: Proof of Relationship (PoR) document (e.g., Ration Card, Marriage Certificate) and the HoF must accompany the applicant to the centre for biometric authentication.

3. Step-by-Step Online Application (Appointment Booking)

This process saves you 1-2 hours of waiting time at the centre.

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal Go to the official UIDAI website: [suspicious link removed] or https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.

Step 2: Locate the Appointment Section

On the homepage, scroll down to the “Get Aadhaar” section.
Click on “Book an Appointment”.

Step 3: Select Your Location

Choose your City/Location from the dropdown menu.
Click “Proceed to Book Appointment”.

Step 4: Register Mobile Number

Select “New Aadhaar” (Note: Ensure this tab is selected, not “Aadhaar Update”).
Enter your Mobile Number and the Captcha code.
Click “Generate OTP” and enter the OTP received on your phone.

Step 5: Fill Personal Details

Appointment Type: Enrolment.
Application Verification Type: Select “Document” (if you have proofs) or “Hof” (Head of Family).
State, City, and Branch: Select the centre most convenient for you.
Personal Data: Enter Name, Gender, Date of Birth exactly as per your proofs.

Step 6: Select Time Slot

You will see a calendar. Green slots are available; Red slots are booked.
Click on a date and time.
Click Submit.

Step 7: Download Receipt

You will see a booking confirmation.
Download/Print the Appointment Slip. It contains a QR code that the centre operator will scan to retrieve your data instantly.

4. The Offline Process (At the Centre)

Step 1: Visit the Centre

Arrive 15 minutes before your time slot.
Carry Original Documents and the Appointment Slip.

Step 2: Verification

The Verifier officer at the centre will check your original documents against the data you entered.

Step 3: Biometric Capture

Photo: The operator will click your picture on the spot.
Fingerprints: All 10 fingers are scanned.
Iris Scan: Both eyes are scanned.
Note: For children under 5, only the photo is taken.

Step 4: Acknowledgement Slip

Once done, the operator will give you an Enrolment Acknowledgement Slip.
KEEP THIS SAFE. It contains your 14-digit Enrolment ID (EID) required to track status.

Cost:

New Aadhaar Enrolment: FREE (₹0).
If any centre asks for money for new enrolment, report it to 1947.

5. How to Check Application Status

It usually takes 7 to 90 days for the Aadhaar to be generated.

Step 1: Go to Status Portal Visit: https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/check-aadhaar-status

Step 2: Enter Enrolment ID (The Tricky Part) You need a 28-digit number.

Part 1: Enter the 14-digit Enrolment Number from your slip (e.g., 1234/12345/12345).
Part 2: Enter the 14-digit Date and Time from the slip in Reverse Order (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS).
- Example: If date is 20/01/2026 and time is 14:30:10.
- Enter: 20260120143010.
Combine them: 1234123451234520260120143010.

Step 3: Check Status

Enter Captcha and click Submit.
Success: “Your Aadhaar has been generated.”
Pending: “This enrolment is under process.”

6. Common Problems & Solutions

Problem 1: “Data Process Error” or “Technical Error”

Reason: A technical glitch during data upload.
Solution: Wait for 7 days. If status remains same, call 1947. In worst cases, you may need to re-enrol.

Problem 2: Lost Acknowledgement Slip

Solution: Visit https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/retrieve-eid-uid.
Enter your Name and Mobile Number (given during application).
Enter OTP. Your EID/Aadhaar number will be sent to your mobile.

Problem 3: Application Rejected due to “Document Error”

Reason: The name/DOB on the document didn’t match the application, or the document was not an original.
Solution: You must apply again (Re-enrol) with valid original documents.

Problem 4: More than 90 Days Pending

Solution: Lodge a complaint at https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/file-complaint. Select “Enrolment Related” > “Enrolment > 90 days”.

Problem 5: Biometric Exception

Reason: Poor finger quality or eye issues (common in elderly).
Solution: Visit the centre again. The operator can use “Force Capture” or “Biometric Exception” mode authorized by a supervisor.

7. Official Helplines

Toll-Free Number: 1947 (Supports 12 languages).
Email Support: help@uidai.gov.in
Official Website: [suspicious link removed]
Regional Offices: You can find the contact of your state’s regional office on the UIDAI website under “Contact & Support”.

This information is sourced from official UIDAI guidelines as of January 2026. Always verify requirements on the official portal for real-time updates.

Would you like me to help you find the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra in your specific city?

How to Apply for New Aadhaar Card Online and at Centre in India