Baal Aadhaar Card for Children

Aadhaar card has been projected as the most important and reliable proof of identity and address for Indian residents which contains both demographic and biometric details of the cardholder. The Aadhaar issuing authority, UIDAI, has made provisions to include all residents living in India under this scheme, irrespective of their age. Children below 5 years get a Baal Aadhaar card which is blue in colour, while minors aged between 5 to15 years receive Baal Aadhar card similar to that of adults. Moreover, many hospitals have started to get newborns enrolled for Aadhaar and they provide the Aadhaar acknowledgement slips along with birth certificates these days.

Aadhaar Card for Children below 5 Years of Age

Before parents go for enrolling their children for Aadhaar, they should read some of the salient features of Baal Aadhar card for children below 5 years of age:

• Aadhaar card can be generated for all children below 5 years including newborns
• These Aadhaar cards are blue in colour and are called Baal Aadhaar card
• No biometrics of the child are taken in this case
• Only the child’s photograph is taken for Aadhaar
• It is compulsory to provide Aadhaar of any one of the parents
• In case both parents don’t have Aadhaar, they have to get enrolled for Aadhaar first
• Once the child is five years old, he has to provide the biometric data of all 10 fingers and iris scan
• The photograph is also taken during the process
• The same process has to be repeated when the child attains the age of 15 years
• No fee is required for any of the services mentioned above

Read More: Baal Aadhaar – Give Your Child the Identity

Aadhaar for Children between 5 and 15 Years of Age

Aadhar card for children between 5 years and 15 years is issued in a similar manner as that of adults. UIDAI has not differentiated between Aadhaar for children and adults. However, there are some salient features of Aadhaar for children between 5 to 15 years of age:

• The process of enrolment is similar to that of adults
• The only difference is the type of documents needed to be submitted
• The child has to get the biometric data (all 10 fingerprints, iris scan, and photograph) updated when he turns 15 years of age
• The birth certificate/ discharge certificate from the hospital has to be provided in all cases
• The biometric data can be updated again (paid service) in the later stages of life in case biometrics do not match in future

How to Apply for Baal Aadhaar for Children below 5 Years of Age?

The process of enrolling children for Aadhaar is a bit different from that of adults. The type of documents required for enrolling children for Aadhaar is also different for children. Here’s how to apply children below 5 years for Aadhaar:

Step 1: Visit a nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centre (You can locate a nearby Enrolment Centre online as well)

Step 2: Fill the Aadhaar Enrolment Form mentioning your Aadhaar number on it

Step 3:  Any one of the parents have to provide Aadhaar details for enrolling children below 5 years

Step 4: The photograph of your child will be taken

Step 5: The address and other demographic details are to be filled from the parent’s Aadhaar

Step 6: Submit a copy of the birth certificate/discharge certificate from the hospital of the child

Step 7: The Aadhaar executive will hand over the acknowledgement slip that contains the enrolment number. The enrolment number can be used to check the status of Aadhaar generation

Note: Fingerprints and iris scan is not taken for children below 5 years. Also, you will get your child’s Aadhaar within 90 days.

How to Apply for Aadhaar for Children above 5 Years of Age?

You have to follow these steps for enrolling your child between 5 to 15 years of age for Aadhaar:

Step 1: Visit a nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centre to apply for Aadhaar for your child

Step 2: Fill the Aadhar Card Enrolment form with all the required details

Step 3: Mention your Aadhaar number and details in case you do not have a valid address proof of your child

Step 4: Submit the form along with relevant documents to the executive

Step 5: The executive will take your child’s biometrics (10 fingerprints, iris scan, and photograph)

Step 6: Once the process is completed, an acknowledgement slip is generated

Step 7: The acknowledgement slip contains the enrolment ID that contains the enrolment number and time and date of the enrolment. The enrolment ID can be used to check the status of Aadhaar

Note: The Aadhaar card is sent to the applicant’s address within 90 days of enrolment. Moreover, When the child turns 15, he has to get his biometric data updated in UIDAI’s database

Documents Required for Aadhaar Card for Children

Applicants have to submit different documents for Aadhaar enrolment of children below 5 years and for children between 5 to 15 years of age. Mentioned below are the lists for both categories:

Documents to be Submitted for Aadhaar for Children below 5 Years of Age

Given below are the mandatory documents required for baal aadhaar card:

• Child’s original birth certificate/ discharge certificate from the hospital
• Aadhaar card of any one of the parents

Note: Original copies of both documents have to be provided as well for verification

Documents to be Submitted for Aadhaar for Children between 5 and 15 Years of Age

• Birth certificate of the child
• Any one of the following as Proof of Identity:

– School identity card

– Bonafide certificate on the letterhead of the institution

– A parent’s Aadhaar card

– Identity certificate issued by the Gazetted Officer/Tehsildar on letterhead containing the photograph of the child

• Any one of the following as Proof of Address:

-A parent’s Aadhaar card

-Address certificate issued by MP or MLA/Gazetted Officer/Tehsildar on letterhead containing the child’s photograph

-Address certificate issued by Village Panchayat Head or its equivalent authority (for rural areas)

Fee and Charges for Aadhaar Card for Children

• No fee is charged from the applicant for enrolling the child for Aadhaar
• The cost of Aadhar enrolment is borne by the government
• When the child goes for a biometric update after attaining 5 or 15 years of age, no fee is charged from the child
• However, whenever any demographic data has to be updated during this period, the applicant has to pay a fee of Rs. 50
• In case the applicant wants to update his biometric details in Aadhaar in the future, he has to pay a fee of Rs. 100
• For a colour printout of Aadhaar card on A4 paper, the applicant has to pay a fee of Rs. 30

Parents of children can register their mobile number with their kid’s Aadhaar card and use the mAadhaar app to carry the Aadhaar card of their child on their smartphone. The mAadhaar app is designed to add up to 5 Aadhaar cards. A person can manage his as well as his child’s Aadhaar card in the mAadhaar app. The Aadhaar card of the child can be accessed anytime and anywhere and used as proof of identity or address. This facility can be accessed by parents of children aged below 5 years as well as those ageing between 5 to 15 years.

How to Track Baal Aadhaar Application Status?

You can track the status of your child’s Baal Aadhaar card online using the enrolment ID and following the below mentioned steps:

1. On the UIDAI website, click on “Check Aadhaar Status” listed under the Get Aadhaar section
2. On the next page, click on “Check Enrolment & Update Status”
3. Enter the enrolment ID, date and time of enrolment as mentioned on the acknowledgement slip
4. Enter the Captcha code and click on the “Submit” button to know your baal Aadhaar card application status

Alternatively, you can also call on the official UIDAI helpline number 1947 and follow the IVRS instructions to know the status of your child’s Aadhaar card or visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra to know the same.

Click to find out more about How to Check Aadhaar Card Status Online and Offline

Benefits of Baal Aadhaar Card

Some of the key advantages of having a Baal Aadhar Card for your child include:

• Official Identification: Baal Aadhaar Card provides an official government-issued identification for children that can be useful in various scenarios such as availing government schemes, school admissions, future documentation, etc.
• Access Government Benefits:  Minors having Baal Aadhar Card can potentially access various government welfare schemes, scholarships and subsidies that are available for children.
• Biometric Data: Baal Aadhaar cards may include biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scans, making it more secure and reliable for verification purposes.
• School Admissions: These days many schools and educational institutions require an official ID for admission purposes. Baal Aadhar Card can be used for these admissions, simplifying the process for parents and guardians.
• Financial Inclusion: Baal Aadhaar Card may be linked to a bank account as the child grows up, which can help ensure financial inclusion from an early age.
• Government Documentation: Baal Aadhaar Card serves as a foundational identity document and may be used for government documentation in future like a passport, voter ID, driver’s license, etc.
• Medical Services: In certain cases, Baal Aadhaar Card may be used for healthcare purposes such as to access some medical services and treatments for children.
• Avoid Identity Theft:  Getting a Baal Aadhar Card issued may also help in preventing identity theft and misuse of children’s identity.
• Reduced Paperwork: Having a Baal Aadhaar Card can also help parents and guardians reduce the amount of paperwork required for different official and government transactions.
• Digital India Initiatives:  It supports the government’s Digital India initiatives by facilitating e-KYC (Know Your Customer) processes, which can be utilised for online services.

FAQs on Aadhaar Card for Minors

Q. Is Birth certificate enough for Aadhaar card?

Ans. Aadhaar card for children below 5 years of age can be availed using the child’s birth certificate/ discharge certificate from the hospital along with the Aadhaar card of any one of the parents.

However, the documents required in case of Aadhaar for children between 5 and 15 years of age include the birth certificate as well as the acceptable identity and address proofs mentioned above.

Q. Do both parents need to be present for child Aadhar card?

Ans. Any one parent along with his/her Aadhaar card card details in enough to enroll a child for Aadhaar.

Q. Why is my child’s Aadhaar card blue in colour?  Is it valid?

Ans. You will get a blue-coloured Baal Aadhaar if your child is below 5 years of age. It is valid till he is 5 years old. You have to submit his biometrics when he turns 5 as the Baal Aadhaar is not valid after the child turns 5.

Q. Is Baal Aadhaar card mandatory for child vaccination?

Ans. No, Baal Aadhaar card is not mandatory for child vaccination.

Q. How will children be added to the database?

Ans. Parents have to provide their Aadhaar to get their child enrolled before 5 years. Biometrics are taken when the child turns 5 and final biometrics are provided when the child turns 15 years of age.

Q. Is it compulsory to update the Aadhaar card after 15 years?

Ans. Yes, you have to submit your child’s biometrics and photograph when he turns 15. It is free of cost and takes just minutes.

Q. Is there any option for Baal Aadhaar card online registration?

Ans. There is no option for Baal Aadhar card online registration. One can only book an appointment online to apply for a new Baal Aadhar card.
Read more on How to Book an Appointment Online for Baal Aadhaar Card 

Q. Is there any minimum age requirement for Baal Aadhaar card?

Ans. There is no Baal Aadhar card minimum age. One can apply for Baal Aadhaar for new-born children as well.

Q. How much time will it take for Baal Aadhaar card registration?

Ans. It takes less than 30 minutes for Baal Aadhar card registration. However, if you haven’t booked the appointment online, you may have to wait for your turn depending upon the number of people already present in the queue.

Q. How to make an Aadhaar address change for minors?

Ans. You can visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra along with the relevant address proof documents to get the minor’s address updated in Aadhaar card.

Q. Is it mandatory for both parents to have an Aadhaar card to apply for a Baal Aadhaar card?

Ans. No, it is not mandatory for both parents to have an Aadhaar card to apply for a Baal Aadhaar card. However, it is mandatory for at least one parents to have an Aadhaar card.

Q. How long does it take to get the Baal Aadhaar card for a child below 5 years of age?

Ans. Baal Aadhaar also takes up to 90 days from enrolment to reach the residential address of the Aadhaar holder.

Q. How often should the details on the Baal Aadhaar card be updated?

Ans. The Baal Aadhaar Card details need to be updated when the child turns 5 years old to include biometric information and again one the child turns 15 years old.

Q. How can I change my child’s name on the Aadhaar card? Can I change the name on my Aadhaar card online?

Ans. You can change your child’s name on Aadhaar card by visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra in person and submit a name change/correction request along with the relevant proof of identity documents.
At present, you it is not possible to update your child’s name in Aadhaar card online.

Q. What documents are required for a name change on an Aadhaar card?

Ans. Relevant proof of identity documents, that is,  documents with the updated name are required to change your child’s name in Aadhaar card. These could include your passport, ration card, bank statement, etc.

Q. What is the fee to enroll for Baal Aadhaar card?

Ans. There are no charges/fees to get a Baal Aadhaar Card for children.