Top News

The thought of getting an Aadhaar card for a young child often brings to mind images of fingerprints and machines. But the Aadhaar process for children under 5 years old is completely different and very simple. With the right information, half the stress is eliminated.

Many parents think that getting an Aadhaar card for a young child will be difficult – fingerprints, eye scans, numerous documents, and long queues. But the reality is different.

The UIDAI has deliberately kept the Aadhaar process simple for children under 5 years old to avoid unnecessary stress for parents. If you have the correct information, the process can be completed in just a few steps.

First, understand this: the child's Aadhaar is "linked to the parents."

The UIDAI categorizes children under 5 years old as "Bal Aadhaar" (Child Aadhaar). This means that the child's identity is linked to the Aadhaar number of the parent or guardian. This is why fingerprints or iris scans are not required for children of this age.

Parent's Aadhaar Card is Most Important

If the child is under 5 years old, it is mandatory to have the Aadhaar card of at least one parent or legal guardian.
The Aadhaar of either the mother or the father is sufficient.
That Aadhaar is then linked to the child's Aadhaar.
If both parents are present, it is usually linked to the mother's Aadhaar, but this is not a mandatory rule.

Step 2: Child's Documents – This is where most mistakes happen

This step sounds simple, but this is where most of the confusion arises.

The UIDAI actually requires two things:

Proof of the child's identity
Proof of the relationship between the child and the parents
In most cases, a birth certificate is sufficient. For children born after October 1, 2023, a birth certificate is mandatory. If a birth certificate is not available for any reason, other documents accepted by the UIDAI can be used. However, parents are advised to get a birth certificate first to avoid any problems in the future.

Step 3: Choosing the right Aadhaar Enrollment Center is important?

Standing in a long line with a small child is not easy for anyone. So, decide in advance where you will get the enrollment done.

You can choose a nearby Aadhaar Enrollment Center or Aadhaar Seva Kendra. In addition, some government hospitals and schools also offer this facility. The UIDAI's Bhuvan portal helps you find nearby centers and their timings.

Step 4: What happens at the center?

When you arrive at the center with your child, the process is very simple:

The operator enters the child's basic details.
The child's photo is taken.
The application is linked to the parent's Aadhaar.

Two major points of relief:

Providing a mobile number is not mandatory.
The entire process is completely free.
That is, no fees, no charges.

Step 5: Biometric update is mandatory at the age of 5

This is the most important step, which is often forgotten because it happens years later. According to UIDAI rules, when a child turns 5 years old, their photo, fingerprints, and iris scan are all taken completely for the first time.

It is important to note that:

The Aadhaar number remains the same.
It is not considered a "new Aadhaar".
If updated within the stipulated time frame, this is also free.
This process is then repeated again at the age of 15.

Aadhaar Update by Age – At a Glance

Finally, important advice

If your child is young, don't postpone getting their Aadhaar card. Aadhaar is gradually becoming mandatory for school admissions, government schemes, and health-related services. By getting the Aadhaar and biometric updates done on time, you can avoid many future problems.

Important Questions Related to the Article (FAQs)

Q1 Can an Aadhaar card be made for a child under 5 years of age?

A. Yes, absolutely, according to UIDAI, an Aadhaar card can be made for a child at any time after birth.

Q2 What is a Child Aadhaar Card?

A. Child Aadhaar, or Bal Aadhaar, is an Aadhaar number issued to children under 5 years of age, which is linked to the Aadhaar of their parents or guardian.

Q3 Are fingerprints and iris scans required for children?

A. No, these are not considered necessary for children under 5 years of age.

Q4 To whose Aadhaar is the child's Aadhaar linked?

A. The child's Aadhaar is linked to the Aadhaar number of the mother or father (or legal guardian).

Q5 What documents are required for a child's Aadhaar?

A. Typically, the child's birth certificate and the Aadhaar card of the parents or guardian are required.