How to Reactivate Aadhaar Card

There can be instances where many Aadhaar cards get deactivated, even if the individual is still eligible for Aadhaar. To resolve this issue, UIDAI has introduced an easy, resident-friendly process for reactivating such Aadhaar numbers via Aadhaar Seva Kendras, ensuring rightful access to identity-linked services. Read the article to know all about Aadhaar card reactivation, including the eligibility criteria, process, documentation requirements, fees and more. 

Eligibility for Aadhaar Reactivation

As per the latest circular issued by UIDAI, let us understand who is eligible and ineligible for Aadhaar card reactivation:

Eligible Aadhaarholders:  Any resident individual whose Aadhaar number was wrongly deactivated after being mistakenly marked as deceased in Aadhaar records can request the reactivation of the Aadhaar number Individuals who have the necessary proofs and documents required for reactivation Not Eligible for Aadhaar Reactivation:  Family members, friends, etc., cannot raise a request for reactivation on the Aadhaar card holder’s behalf Individuals whose Aadhaar card was deactivated on account of duplicate/multiple Aadhaar numbers or fraudulent enrollment cannot reactivate their Aadhaar cards. Individuals whose documents are invalid, expired, mismatched or unverifiable In case Aadhaar is deactivated and is linked to any legal dispute or criminal case, the reactivation request may not be successful.

Steps to Reactivate Aadhaar Card

Here is a step-by-step guide on how an eligible individual can get their Aadhaar card reactivated:

Step 1: The applicant can submit a request for reactivation of the Aadhaar number in the prescribed application format (Annexure) to the nearest Regional office/State office via post, email or in person.

Step 2: The officer examines the request and calls the Aadhaar number holder at a designated Aadhaar centre for submitting his/her full biometric information (fingerprints, face and iris scans) under the supervision of an UIDAI official, within two weeks of receipt of such application.

Step 3: The Regional office/State office concerned will inform the Aadhaar card holder about the status of disposal of the request within 30 days of submission of the biometric information.

Step 4: The officer verifies if the Aadhaar number was incorrectly deactivated based on reported deceased status, but the Aadhaar cardholder is alive.

Step 5: The Aadhaar number is reactivated, and UIDAI also informs the Registrar of Births and Deaths concerned with a copy to the Registrar General of India and the Aadhaar number holder.

Time Required for Aadhaar Reactivation

• Once you make the reactivation request, within two weeks of submission of such application, you are required to submit your biometric information at the designated Aadhaar centre.
• Post submission of your biometric details, you will be informed about the status of the disposal of the request within 30 days of submission of the biometric details. 
• Even though the processing time may vary on a case-to-case basis, an Aadhaar is generally reactivated within a few working days post verification.

Suggested Read: Aadhaar Card Update

Fee for Aadhaar Reactivation

UIDAI charges no fee for the reactivation of the Aadhaar card and updating biometrics at the time of reactivation. 

Why Should you Get your Aadhaar Reactivated?

Given below are a few key reasons why you should get your Aadhaar card reactivated:

Restore access to essential services:
Aadhaar card reactivation can help you get access to essential services back such as your bank accounts, mobile SIM services, PAN linking, income tax filing, government subsidies such as LPG, ration, pension, etc.

Correct official records:
In case you are incorrectly reported as deceased, the same would also reflect across various government-linked databases (EPFO, banks, state records, etc.). Reactivation can help fix your status in UIDAI records as well as avoid confusion or rejection in official verification.

Prevent conflicts over identity:
A deactivated Aadhaar due to false “death” status can result in rejection of KYC updates, lead to denial of entitlements or new services, affect family inheritance or legal documentation, etc. Reactivation of Aadhaar ensures that you are alive and verified, which helps protect your legal identity. 

Resume Aadhaar-related biometric and demographic services:
Aadhaar reactivation lets you resume various Aadhaar-related services such as updating your biometric data, mobile number or address, request for e-Aadhaar or reprints, etc., which are not possible in case your Aadhaar is inactive.

Prevent misuse or fraud:
An incorrectly deactivated Aadhaar can indicate a clerical or field-level error during data entry or may even mean that someone has fraudulently or mistakenly reported you as deceased. Reactivation helps flag the error with UIDAI and prevents any unauthorised changes linked to your Aadhaar number. 

It’s your legal right:
Since you are a living resident of India, you are legally entitled to have an active Aadhaar number. Thus, reactivation is essential in case you have been incorrectly reported as deceased.

Documents Required for Aadhaar Reactivation

The following details and documents are required to submit an Aadhaar reactivation request:

• A request for reactivation in the prescribed application format, which should include details such as your Aadhaar number, name, gender, date of birth, parent’s name and Aadhaar (where Aadhaar card holder is a minor), address, district, state, mobile number, email address (if available), signature/thumb impression, place, date, etc.
• Your biometric information, including face, fingerprints and iris scan.

Also Read: Documents Required for Updating Aadhaar Card

Should You Get a New Aadhaar or Reactivate if Deactivated by UIDAI In case your Aadhaar has been deactivated because of incorrectly being reported as deceased, you are advised to get your Aadhaar number reactivated and not apply for a new Aadhaar card due to the following reasons: After reactivation, you can continue using your original Aadhaar number for verifications, legal matters and other paperwork. UIDAI strongly discourages issuing multiple Aadhaar numbers to the same person. Getting a new Aadhaar card for the same person/identity would be considered duplication and may be rejected or marked as fraud. You should be applying for a new Aadhaar card only if you have never had one before, your earlier Aadhaar was cancelled due to duplication or fraud and UIDAI explicitly advised re-enrollment, or you are an NRI who now meets the eligibility criteria  (i.e., has lived in India for a minimum of 182 days in the last 12 months).

How to Find the Regional Office/State Office of UIDAI for Aadhaar Reactivation

You can locate the nearest UIDAI Regional office/State office for Aadhaar reactivation by visiting the official UIDAI website.

How to Check Aadhaar Reactivation Status

• Once you raise the request for Aadhaar reactivation and submit your biometric information, the Regional office/State office informs you about the status of disposal of the request within 30 days of submission of the biometric information. 
• The status of disposal of the request will also be intimated to you via SMS.
• You can also check the status of your reactivation request online via the ‘myAadhaar’ portal.

How to Download the Reactivated Aadhaar Card

• You need not download your Aadhaar card again once it is reactivated, and continue using the same physical or mAadhaar card as well as the Aadhaar number. 
• However, in case you wish to get a fresh copy of your Aadhaar, you can download the same via the UIDAI website, DigiLocker, mAadhaar app or UMANG app. 

Read more on:  Aadhaar Card Download 

FAQs on Aadhaar Card Reactivation

Q. How do I check if my Aadhaar is deactivated?

You can check if your Aadhaar card is active or inactive by using the Aadhaar card verification service available on the UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app.
Read more on Aadhaar card verification

Q. How to check if the Aadhaar card is still valid?

Your Aadhaar card remains valid for your entire lifespan. Moreover, you can check the validity of your Aadhaar card, that is, whether it is active or inactive, using the Aadhaar verification service available on the UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app.

Q. When can I reactivate my Aadhaar card?

You can reactivate your Aadhaar card as soon as you find out that it has been incorrectly deactivated.

Q. When should we renew our Aadhaar card?

You are not required to renew your Aadhaar card since it is valid for your entire lifespan. However, in case it is incorrectly deactivated, you can get it reactivated again by making a request in person, via email or by post.
Also Read: Aadhaar Card Status

Q. Can I reactivate my Aadhaar online?

At present, you can only submit a request for reactivation via email online. The complete identity and biometric verification can only be done in person at an authorised Aadhaar centre.