Aadhaar Card
The Indian government introduced the Aadhaar card in 2009 with the purpose to give every Indian resident a unique id number by which they could be identified and have a national card that can be used as proof of identity and address.
An Aadhaar card contains a 12 digits number and the card is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). In some ways, the concept of the Aadhaar Card is very similar to what some countries such as the United Kingdom have the Social Security Number. There is no fee for it.
How to apply:
An Aadhaar card can be applied by any person who is residing in India regardless of whether they are Indian citizens or not. The only requirement is that you are living in India on a long-term basis and therefore are “a resident”. Foreigners who are in India on a long-term basis might include students, persons with a work permit, or someone who is in the process of settling down in India.
To apply for Aadhaar Card you will need to go to an enrolment centre. These enrolment centres are located throughout India and you will find one in or near your city, town, or village. If you are not sure how to find an enrolment centre, just ask around your friends and family. You can also locate an enrolment centre near you by going on https://appointments.uidai.gov.in/easearch.aspx. On this website, you can also download an application form for your Aadhaar card. If you cannot access the site for any reason, download one from here.
What to do next:
Once you have the application form and have located your nearest enrolment centre, fill out the form and have three sets of documents that prove your (a) identity, (b) address, (c) date of birth.
Put a photo of the Aadhaar card here.
(a) Proof of identity:
For proof of Identity, the document has to show your name and photo; there are many documents that can establish your identity for example your passport and driving licence. The complete list of documents includes:
1. An Indian Passport (that has not expired)
2. Voter ID card
3. Driving Licence
4. Photo ID card issued by recognised Educational institutions such as your school, college, and university.
5. Bank debit/ATM card with your photo
6. Credit card with your photo
7. Pensioner Photo Card
8. Freedom Fighter Photo Card
9. PAN Card
10. Ration card
11. Government Photo ID Cards. It might be a government job card or a job card issued by Public sector companies such as Air India Ltd.
12. NREGS Job Card (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme)
13. Arms License
14. Kissan Photo Passbook (The Kissan Passbook is issued to the farmers by the government and it looks similar to a bank passbook with a photo of the person). The Kissan passbook mainly has the details of agricultural loans.
15. CGHS (The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or ECHS Photo Card (Ex-servicemen contributory health scheme.
16. Address Card with name and photo issued by Postal Department.
17. Certificate of Identify with photo issued by Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar on official letterhead
18. Disability card or medical certificate issued to a handicapped person by the State or a Union Territory.
For proof of address, you can use your latest bank statement and your utility bills for proof of address. Note that some documents such as your current passport and driving licence can be sufficient to prove your id, your address, and your date of birth.
The list of documents that can be provided as proof of address:
1. A valid passport
2. Statement or passbook from your bank
3. Statement or passbook from your post office
4. Your ration card
5. Voter ID card
6. A valid driving license
7. Photo ID cards issued by the Indian government
8. Electricity Bill which is not older than 3 months
9. Water bill which is not older than 3 months
10. Landline telephone bill (not older than 3 months)
11. Property Tax Receipt such as house tax which is not older than 3 months
12. Your Credit Card Statement (not older than 3 months)
13. Your Insurance Policy showing your address
14. A Signed Letter from your bank which is printed on Bank’s letterhead and shows your address and photo.
15. A signed letter on a registered company’s letterhead showing your name and address.
16. A signed letter on the official letterhead with your photo from a recognised educational institute such as your college or university.
17. A job card from NREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme)
18. Your arms License
19. If you are a pensioner, your pension card
20. Your Freedom Fighter Card
21. Your Kissan Passbook (Generally issued in the course of a loan agreement specifically made for an agricultural loan).
22. CGHS (Centre Government Health Scheme)/ ECHS (ex-serviceman contributory health scheme) Card
23. A Certificate of Address with your photo, which has been issued by a Gazetted Officer (government officer), your local MP, MLA or Tehsildar.
24. in rural areas a Certificate of Address is issued by the head of Village Panchayat or authority.
25. Income Tax Assessment Order from the Income-tax department
26. Your Vehicle Registration Certificate
27. Registered agreement for sale/ lease / rent
28. An Address Card issued by a post office which shows your photo and address on it.
29. Caste and Domicile Certificate which has your photo and is issued by a State Government.
30. ID card for disabled or a medical certificate issued by a State or a Union Territory Government.
31. Gas Connection Bill which is not older than 3 months.
32. Spouse’s passport
33. Parents passport (in case of Minor)
Documents that will be accepted as proof of date of birth
1. Your Birth Certificate
2. The Secondary School Leaving Certificate
3. Your current Passport
4. Your certified date of birth on the official letterhead by a Group A Gazetted Officer.
After you have filled out the form and have the required documents, find your enrolment centre, and submit your application in person. The process involves checking your application form and supporting documents; taking your iris scan, fingerprints and photo, and entering the details onto the system. Once your application is completed you will be asked to review your personal information before it is submitted. It takes about 60 to 90 days to get your Aadhaar card at your address. If for any reason it has been declined, you will be notified.
