How to Apply for a Duplicate/Lost Aadhaar Card Online/Offline?

Losing or misplacing the most important and widely demanded KYC document can be stressful. Since you are reading this piece, we assume you are in a similar situation. 

However, if you are panicking that your identity is lost forever, don’t!

The authorities understand the high probability of such a situation and offer a number of facilities to help individuals get a duplicate Aadhaar card. And the best part is none of these processes to download an e-Aadhaar card involves extensive documentation, penalty or any such hassle.

So, help yourself and read on to know about these different methods to proceed with the one you find yourself most comfortable with.

In case you have lost or misplaced your Aadhaar card and a new copy is required instantly, you can simply opt for a duplicate Aadhaar card using UIDAI’s service. Make sure your mobile number is linked with your Aadhaar card to get it done without a hassle.

Step 1: Visit the official UIDAI website and select either the ‘Aadhaar No (UID)’ or ‘Enrolment No (EID)’ option.

Step 2: Next, you need to enter some basic details, like the name or mobile number registered with UID

Step 3: After that, you need to enter the security code as displayed on the screen and click on the ‘Send OTP’ button

Step 4: You will get an OTP on your registered mobile number. Once you enter the same and click on “Submit”, you will receive the Aadhaar Number on your registered mobile number or email ID.

If you find it confusing or too much of a hassle to follow the steps to download a new Aadhaar card online, fret not!

Apply for a Duplicate Aadhaar Card Offline via Phone(IVR)

Step 1: Contact the toll-free number 1800-180-1947 or 1947 of the UIDAI.

Step 2: Following the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) option to speak to an Aadhaar executive.

Step 3: When on the call, explain to this executive why you need a duplicate Aadhaar card, and request to provide you with one.

Step 4: The executive will ask a few questions to verify your identity. Answer them with accurate information.

Step 5: Upon successful verification, this executive will approve and process your request for a new Aadhaar card.

After completing all these steps, you will receive your duplicate Aadhaar card at your provided address via speed post.

Apply for a Duplicate Aadhaar Card Offline At Enrolment Centre

Step 1: Visit your nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre.

Step 2: Fill in the provided Aadhaar Correction form with precise details.

Step 3: Submit this form and place a request with the Aadhaar Registrar or Aadhaar Executive, providing your correct Aadhaar number, to issue a duplicate of the document.

Step 4: If you don’t know your Aadhaar number the authorities will use biometrics to verify your identity.

Step 5: Once verified, your request will be processed. Upon completion of this process, you will receive your new Aadhaar card at your residential address.

Now that you have your new Aadhaar card, let’s discuss a few related queries that you might have.

Generally, you do not have to provide any additional Aadhaar card documents to apply for a reprint or duplicate card. Since the information is already stored on UIDAI’s website, you can get the duplicate Aadhaar card by providing only the existing Aadhaar number. 

Alternately, you can also enter your Enrolment number and ID to authenticate yourself. For that, you have to keep the acknowledgement slip that you got at the time of enrolment.

You would most definitely want a hard copy of your downloaded document, isn’t it?

For that, you need to get your Adhaar card reprinted, which can be done as follows.

Step 1: Select “My Aadhaar” on UIDAI’s official website. 

Step 2: Click on “Order Aadhaar Reprint” under the Get Aadhaar section.

Step 3: On the next page, enter your 12-digit UID number, 14-digit EID, or 16-digit Virtual ID. Enter the given security code.

Step 4: Click on “Send OTP”.

Step 5: Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number, click on the checkbox for the terms and conditions agreement, and select “Submit”.

Step 6: Choose your suitable payment option, and proceed to pay the required fees.

Step 7: Download the acknowledgement slip and save it carefully. This document will contain a 28-digit Service Request Number (SRN), which will come in handy while checking reprint status.

In case you do not have your mobile number linked or registered with Aadhaar, check the box for “My Mobile number is not registered” after step 3. Next, you can enter the mobile number on which you want to receive OTP and resume the procedure from step 4. 

Now you know how to print the Aadhaar card online with these detailed steps.

How Can I Check my Aadhaar Card Reprint Status?

Not having a crucial identity document and waiting indefinitely for its duplicate version can be stressful. If it has been quite some time since you placed your reprint request, it is time you check the status of progress.

Step 1: On UIDAI’s website, select the “Get Aadhaar” option under “My Aadhaar”.

Step 2: Choose “Check Aadhaar Reprint Status”.

Step 3: On the next page, enter your Service Request Number (SRN), Aadhaar number, and given captcha text. 

Step 4: Click on “Check Status”.

The next screen will display the status of your reprint request.

What are the Payment Methods and Charges for Aadhaar Card Reprint?

The Aadhar card reprint service allows individuals who have lost their original Aadhar card or need a new copy due to various causes to receive a physical copy of the original Aadhar card. The various payment methods for this process include:

• Debit card/Credit card (Both domestic and international)

• Net Banking

• UPI

The charge for an Aadhaar reprint is a sum of ₹50 (inclusive of GST), which covers the cost of printing and delivering the new card to your registered place of residence.

Most individuals do not consider the importance of an Aadhaar acknowledgement slip issued during registration after receiving the actual card. These slips contain the Enrolment ID (EID), which is crucial data for getting a duplicate copy of this document.  

Right now, as you read our guide, you might be forced  to begin the hunt for this important document. However, you may discover that you have misplaced this enrolment ID too.

Well, do not panic! 

Fortunately, there is a way to retrieve this information as well. 

• Step 1: Go to the official website of UIDAI.
• Step 2: You will see an “Aadhaar Enrolment” subhead under “Aadhaar Online Services”. Select the “Retrieve Lost UID/EID” option from the list below it.
• Step 3: On the next page, select “Aadhaar Number (UID)” or “Enrolment Number”, depending on which one you want to retrieve.
• Step 4: Next, fill in all mandatory fields like name, mobile number, and email ID correctly. Enter the captcha code, and click on the “Send One Time Password” button.
• Step 5: Once you receive the OTP on your mobile or email ID, fill the “Enter OTP” box with this number and click on “Verify OTP”.

The next page will display a message saying that your UID/EID has been sent to your registered mobile number or email ID. 

For this method of EID/UID recovery to work, you must have access to the mobile number and email ID registered with your Aadhaar details. 

 Once you have access to your Aadhaar and Enrolment number, you can use this information to download a copy of your e Aadhaar card following the steps we have discussed below.

Now, many of you might feel skeptical about the term “duplicate Aadhaar card”, and you might be wondering if this new document holds the same value as the one you lost.

Your concern is genuine, but this should not be a cause of worry. 

The UIDAI clarified in one of its issues dated 28th April 2017 that an e Aadhaar card is just as valid an identity proof as a printed or downloaded Aadhaar card. 

The statutory body further explained that individuals did not need to laminate a paper printout to prove its validity. Even a black and white printout would work just as well.

This was in response to the query by several individuals after they encountered authorities rejecting downloaded versions of this identity document.

Although there could be various other reasons to get this document deactivated, using a duplicate version isn’t one of them. However, you can still confirm your Aadhaar card validity in the following steps, just to make sure.

• Step 1: Go to the UIDAI portal.
• Step 2: Choose the “Verify an Aadhaar number” option under “Aadhaar services”.
• Step 3: On the next page, enter your 12-digit UID number and the given Captcha code. 
• Step 4: Click on “Proceed to Verify” to check your document’s validity.

After completing this procedure, you will see a green tick on the next screen if your Aadhaar is still valid and has not been deactivated.

Aadhaar card is one of the most important and widely accepted KYC document for proof of identity and residence. It is also a unique identification card with individual demographic and biometric information, which cannot be tampered with easily. Having this lost document immediately replaced with aAdhaar card can make the following processes a lot easier for individuals.

• Opening a new bank account: As mentioned previously, your Aadhaar card acts as an identity and address proof and serves the purpose of multiple documents alone, in several crucial processes like opening a bank account.
• Getting a new SIM card: Latest notifications from the Telecomm department mandate customers to link their SIM card with UID.
• Receiving pensions: Having a 12-digit UID number helps senior citizens acquire their periodical pension amount without much hassle of documentation.
• Availing LPG subsidy: Linking bank accounts to Aadhaar is mandatory for individuals to get their LPG subsidy transferred directly into their account.
• Filing Income Tax Returns: The Indian government has been stressing the importance of PAN-Aadhaar linking for a long time now. Without linking Aadhaar to PAN, taxpayers will not be able to file their Income Tax Returns.
• Obtaining passport: Individuals providing a photocopy of their Aadhaar card as ID and address proof can acquire access to their passport within as little time as 10 days. 
• Enrolling under government schemes: Having this identity document can also help individuals apply for several government scholarships and initiatives like MGNREGA, PMAY, EPFO, etc.

Now that you know all about the various methods of getting a duplicate Aadhaar card do not delay the process any further.

In case none of these ways to get a new Aadhaar card works, you can consider getting a fresh Aadhaar card enrolment.