ITR Season 2025 Banner

What are the Documents Required for Aadhaar Card?

By Mayashree Acharya

|

Updated on: Apr 16th, 2025

|

4 min read

When you apply or update your Aadhaar card, you need to provide a certain number of documents. This article provides the complete information of:

  • Aadhaar card documents list for residents
  • Documents required for Aadhaar card of children
  • Aadhaar card documents required for visa holders, OCI and foreign residents

Proof of Identity

A valid identity proof is mandatory to apply for a new Aadhaar or renew an existing one. It acts as an official identification tool throughout banking institutions and government offices. Below is an Aadhar card documents list that serves as proof of identity when you apply:

  • Passport
  • PAN card
  • Voter ID (EPIC)
  • Driving licence
  • Ration card with photograph
  • Marriage certificate
  • SC/ST/OBC certificate having a photograph
  • Government-issued service photo ID cards
  • ECHS/CGHS/ESIC photo card
  • Government-issued disability ID Cards or handicapped medical certificates
  • MGNREGA/NREGA job card
  • Public sector bank passbook with a photograph
  • School leaving certificate
  • Marksheet/ Certificate issued by recognised Board of Education
  • Kisan photo passbook
  • Certificate of identity issued by a Gazetted Officer at National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) or State Health Department

Hence, you must submit at least one proof of identity to apply for an Aadhaar card. The required document must show both your name and image.

Proof of Date of Birth

You need to present one document from the Aadhar card documents list given below as proof of your date of birth: 

  • Birth certificate issued by a recognised authority
  • Marksheet/ Certificate issued by the recognised Board of Education
  • Passport
  • Government-issued service identity card with DoB
  • Pensioner photo ID card
  • Central/ State Pension Payment Order

The data recorded on Aadhaar is necessary for performing age check-ups in procedures like pension applications, school enrollment, and employment eligibility assessments. 

Proof of Relationship

People who want to obtain Aadhaar benefits must present proof of relationship documents as part of their enrollment process, particularly for minors and dependents. These documents confirm the permissible link that exists between the applicant and their legal parents. 

The Aadhar card documents list, which can be provided as proof of relationship, is given below:

  • Passport 
  • Ration card
  • Pension card
  • Government-issued photo ID card under Bhamashah scheme, domicile certificate, labour card, etc
  • MGNREGA/ NREGS job card
  • Marriage certificate
  • ST/SC/ OBC Certificate
  • Marksheet/ Certificate issued by the recognised Board of Education
  • Birth certificate
  • Government-issued Family entitlement document
  • Self-declaration from the Head of Family (HoF) certifying the relationship with the individual residing at the same HoF address
  • Document to prove legal guardianship 

Proof of Address

Applying for a new Aadhaar card or renewing an existing one requires valid documentation as proof of your current address as a verification process. The following Aadhar card documents list serve as authorised proof of address:

  • Passport
  • Ration card
  • Voter ID
  • Kisan photo passbook
  • Disability ID card/handicapped medical certificate issued by the respective State Government
  • MGNREGA/NREGS job card
  • Marriage certificate
  • Bank passbook
  • Bank account statement
  • Credit card statement
  • Registered sale, lease or rent agreement
  • Tax paid receipt (not older than 1 year)
  • Electricity, water, telephone or gas connection bill (not older than 3 months) 
  • Life or medical insurance policy ((valid up to 1 year)

The correct proof of address facilitates you receiving government benefits, banking services, and essential communications that come to your registered location.

Documents Required for Aadhaar Card for Child

A child must submit separate documents to obtain an Aadhaar card. Here are the required Aadhar Card documents listed for the child:

For children below 5 years:

  • Birth certificate
  • Aadhaar of one parent
  • Passport (for NRI)

For children between 5 and 15 years:

  • Proof of identity document
  • Proof of address document
  • Date of birth proof document

Biometric data is not collected for children younger than five during the Aadhaar registration process. However, youngsters who have linked their Aadhaar to parental records must provide their biometric data when they turn five.

Documents Required for Long-Term Visa Holders, OCI Cardholders and Other Resident Foreigners

Persons with foreign nationality who have lived in India for over 182 days have the right to obtain an Aadhaar card. They need to follow this Aadhar card documents list updated list of documents when applying for an Aadhaar card:

For Long Term Visa (LTV) Document Holders:

  • A valid or expired foreign passport from the original country of issuance for minority communities of Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Hindus, including individuals from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
  • A valid Long Term Visa (LTV) document

For OCI Cardholders:

  • A valid foreign passport
  • A valid OCI card

For other Resident Foreigners: 

  • Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) or Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued valid residential permits or registration certificates. All foreign residents can use this card as proof of address. However, this certificate is not issued to LTV document holders, OCI card holders, or Bhutanese or Nepalese nationals.
  • A valid foreign passport
  • A valid VISA

Knowing the Aadhar card documents list is essential for completing the application process without any hassle. All applicants, including adults, children, and foreign residents, must have the proper documents to ensure convenience when completing their enrollment. The wide acceptance of Aadhaar by government schemes, banking institutions, taxation bodies, and personal identification systems makes it necessary to maintain updated information.

Can't get yourself started on taxes?
Get a Cleartax expert to handle all your tax filing start-to-finish

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents will I need to change my surname on my Aadhaar card?

To update your surname on Aadhaar, you will need:

  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Gazette notification for a name change
  • Divorce decree (if applicable)
  • A passport or any other official document showing the new surname
Can an NRI apply for an Aadhaar card?

Yes, an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) with an Indian passport can apply for an Aadhaar card if they have resided in India for at least 182 days in the past 12 months. They need to provide:

  • Indian Passport
  • Address proof in India
  • Identity proof
  • Date of birth proof
Can I obtain an Aadhaar card without any documents?

If you do not have standard documents, you can still apply for Aadhaar by:

  • Getting a certificate of identity and address issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar
  • Providing biometric verification at the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre
Is there a minimum age for obtaining an Aadhaar card?

No, Aadhaar is available for all age groups, including newborns. However, for children below five years, biometric details are not collected initially and must be updated later.

About the Author

I am an advocate by profession and have a keen interest in writing. I write articles in various categories, from legal, business, personal finance, and investments to government schemes. I put words in a simplified manner and write easy-to-understand articles. Read more

Clear offers taxation & financial solutions to individuals, businesses, organizations & chartered accountants in India. Clear serves 1.5+ Million happy customers, 20000+ CAs & tax experts & 10000+ businesses across India.

Efiling Income Tax Returns(ITR) is made easy with Clear platform. Just upload your form 16, claim your deductions and get your acknowledgment number online. You can efile income tax return on your income from salary, house property, capital gains, business & profession and income from other sources. Further you can also file TDS returns, generate Form-16, use our Tax Calculator software, claim HRA, check refund status and generate rent receipts for Income Tax Filing.

CAs, experts and businesses can get GST ready with Clear GST software & certification course. Our GST Software helps CAs, tax experts & business to manage returns & invoices in an easy manner. Our Goods & Services Tax course includes tutorial videos, guides and expert assistance to help you in mastering Goods and Services Tax. Clear can also help you in getting your business registered for Goods & Services Tax Law.

Save taxes with Clear by investing in tax saving mutual funds (ELSS) online. Our experts suggest the best funds and you can get high returns by investing directly or through SIP. Download Black by ClearTax App to file returns from your mobile phone.

Cleartax is a product by Defmacro Software Pvt. Ltd.

Company PolicyTerms of use

ISO

ISO 27001

Data Center

SSL

SSL Certified Site

128-bit encryption