Baal Aadhaar Card: How to Apply Aadhaar Card for Child?

A Baal Aadhaar is a blue-coloured Aadhaar card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to children below five years of age. Unlike a regular Aadhaar card, it is linked to the Aadhaar of one parent or guardian and is issued without capturing the child's biometrics. Once the child turns five years old, a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) must be completed to keep the Aadhaar active.

Baal Aadhaar Card Online

The Baal Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued to children below five years old. It is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The Baal Aadhaar card is linked to the Aadhaar card of one of the parents, and no biometric data is required to generate the Aadhaar card. 

Baal Aadhaar Card Minimum Age

There is no minimum age to apply for a Baal Aadhaar. It can be issued to newborns and all children below five years of age, provided the required documents are submitted during enrolment.

Baal Aadhaar Card Process

Baal Aadhaar enrolment can be initiated by booking an online appointment or by directly visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. However, the child's enrolment is completed only at the Aadhaar Seva Kendra, where the parent or guardian provides biometric authentication and submits the required documents. 

Children below five years do not need to provide fingerprints or iris scans during enrolment.

Baal Aadhaar Card Online Registration

Here are the steps for Baal Aadhaar card online registration:

Step 1: Visit the 'Book an Appointment' page on the UIDAI website. 

Step 2: Select your city or Aadhaar Seva Kendra and click 'Proceed to Book Appointment'.

Step 3: Select 'New Aadhaar', enter your mobile number and the CAPTCHA code, then click 'Get OTP'.

Step 4: Enter the OTP, fill in the child's enrolment details, select your preferred appointment date and time, and confirm the appointment.

Step 5: Visit the selected Aadhaar Seva Kendra with the child, one parent or legal guardian, and the required original documents.

Step 6: The enrolment operator will capture the child's photograph, while the parent or legal guardian will provide biometric authentication for parental consent. Fingerprints and iris scans are not captured for children below five years of age.

Step 7: After document verification, collect the acknowledgement slip. The Baal Aadhaar is generally generated within 30 days and can be downloaded online once it is issued.

How to Get Baal Aadhaar Card?

Parents or legal guardians can also enrol their child for a Baal Aadhaar by visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Aadhaar enrolment is free of cost. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra with the child and the required original documents.

Step 2: Fill out the Aadhaar enrolment form available at the centre.

Step 3: Submit the completed form along with the required documents. The original documents will be verified, scanned, and returned immediately.

Step 4: The parent or legal guardian will provide biometric authentication and Aadhaar details to complete the enrolment. Children below five years are only photographed; their fingerprints and iris scans are not captured.

Step 5: Collect the acknowledgement slip containing the Enrolment ID (EID), which can be used to track the Aadhaar enrolment status.

The Baal Aadhaar is generally generated within 30 days. Once issued, it can be downloaded online, and the physical Aadhaar letter is delivered to the registered address by Speed Post.

Baal Aadhaar Card Download

Once the Baal Aadhaar is generated, it can be downloaded online from the UIDAI website using the Aadhaar Number, Enrolment ID (EID) or Virtual ID (VID).

Step 1: Visit the 'Download Aadhaar' page in the UIDAI website.

Step 2: Select 'Aadhaar Number', 'Enrolment ID (EID)', or 'Virtual ID (VID)', enter the required details and the CAPTCHA code, then click 'Send OTP'.

Step 3: Enter the OTP sent to the registered mobile number. If required, select the 'Masked Aadhaar' option and click 'Verify & Download'.

Step 4: The Baal Aadhaar will be downloaded as a password-protected PDF.

To open the downloaded PDF, enter the password consisting of the first four letters of the child's name in CAPITALS, followed by the year of birth (YYYY).

Example: If the child's name is Girish Yadav and the year of birth is 2021, the password will be GIRI2021.

Documents Required For Baal Aadhaar Card

Following are the documents required for Baal Aadhaar card online registration:

I. Child

Birth Certificate issued by the competent authority (mandatory for children born on or after 1 October 2023)

II. Parent/Guardian

Aadhaar card of one parent or legal guardian

Baal Aadhaar Card Colour

The Baal Aadhaar card is blue in colour to distinguish it from a regular Aadhaar card. It is issued to children below five years of age and serves as a reminder that a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) must be completed after the child turns five years old.

Baal Aadhaar Card Validity

The Baal Aadhaar remains valid until the child turns five years of age. After that, a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) must be completed at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra by capturing the child's fingerprints, iris scan, and photograph to keep the Aadhaar active. 

A second mandatory biometric update is required when the child turns 15 years. Both mandatory biometric updates are provided free of cost by UIDAI.

Mandatory Biometric Update for Baal Aadhaar

You can go to the online Aadhaar portal to update your child’s Baal Aadhaar card documents. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra with the child and the required original documents.

Step 2: Provide the child's Aadhaar number or Enrolment ID (if required) for verification.

Step 3: The operator will capture the child's fingerprints, iris scan, and photograph.

Step 4: The parent or legal guardian will provide biometric authentication to complete the update process.

Step 5: Collect the acknowledgement slip, which can be used to track the update status online.

Note: The Mandatory Biometric Updates at 5 years and 15 years are provided free of cost by UIDAI. Other demographic updates, such as name, date of birth, or address, must be carried out at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra as per the applicable UIDAI guidelines.

Final Word

A Baal Aadhaar helps establish a child's identity and enables access to Aadhaar-based services from an early age. Parents can enrol their child free of cost at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra and must ensure the mandatory biometric updates are completed at ages 5 and 15 to keep the Aadhaar active.

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