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Many parents think that getting an Aadhaar card for a young child will be difficult. Fingerprints, eye scanning, numerous documents, and long lines are required. But the reality is different.

UIDAI has deliberately simplified the Aadhaar process for children under 5 years of age to avoid unnecessary stress for parents. If you have the right information, the process can be completed in just a few steps.

First, understand: A child's Aadhaar is "linked to the parent."

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

Parents' Aadhaar card is most important.
If the child is under 5 years of age, at least one parent or legal guardian must have an Aadhaar card.
An Aadhaar card from either the parent or legal guardian is sufficient.
The same Aadhaar is 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 the most mistakes occur
This step sounds simple, but it is where the most confusion arises.

UIDAI actually asks for two things:

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

Step 3: Is it important to choose the right Aadhaar enrollment center?
Standing in long lines with a small child is not easy for anyone. So, decide in advance where you will enroll.

In such a situation, you can choose the nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Center or Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Some government hospitals and schools also offer this facility. 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 big reliefs:

You don't need to provide your mobile number.

The entire process is completely free.

That means no fees or charges.

Step 5: Biometric Update Required at Age 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, their photo, fingerprint, and iris scan are all taken in full for the first time.

It's important to note that:

The Aadhaar number remains the same.

It is not considered a "new Aadhaar."

Updating within the stipulated timeframe is also free.

The same process is repeated at age 15.

Aadhaar Update by Age – At a Glance
What is the child's age and the fee?
0–5 years: Photo + parent link free
5 years: Full biometric update free
15 years: Biometric update free again

Finally, important advice:
If your child is young, don't put off getting an Aadhaar. Aadhaar is increasingly becoming essential for school admissions, government schemes, and health services. By updating Aadhaar and biometrics at the right time, you can avoid many future problem

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Zee Business. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.