Baal Aadhaar Card 2026 — How to Apply for an Aadhaar Card for Children

The Baal Aadhaar Card serves as a crucial blue-coloured identity document for children, issued by UIDAI. For children below 5 years, it includes only demographic details and a photograph, without biometric data. The card is linked to the Aadhaar of a parent or legal guardian to establish authenticity and provide access to benefits. This ensures that minors can avail government schemes and services.

Once the child turns 5 and then again 15, they need to update their biometrics. This Card serves as an essential KYC document for children's school admissions, financial inclusions, government schemes, etc.

Check out the following process for the Baal Aadhaar Card online application using the UIDAI portal: 

1. First, go to the UIDAI website- https://uidai.gov.in
   

2. Navigate above to ‘My Aadhaar’.
   

3. Under the ‘My Aadhaar’ section, click on ‘Book an Appointment’ found under ‘Get Aadhaar’.
   

4. Next, on the redirected page, determine if you prefer to ‘Book an Appointment at UIDAI-run Aadhaar Seva Kendra’ or ‘Book an Appointment at Registrar-run Aadhaar Seva Kendra’.
   

5. For ‘Book an Appointment at UIDAI-run Aadhaar Seva Kendra’, select your city or location near your vicinity, from the available list.
   

6. Then, select the type of service required, such as Aadhaar Update, New Aadhaar, Document Update, or Special Services.
   

7. Enter your mobile number and the captcha code.
   

8. Validate identity by entering the OTP sent to your registered mobile number to complete the Aadhar card appointment registration.
   

9. If you select ‘Book an Appointment at Registrar-run Aadhaar Seva Kendra’, you will be redirected to the registration page.
   

10. Enter the required details, such as your resident type, login type (mobile number or email), and the captcha code.
    

11. After this, provide the OTP received on your mobile number, and then select a date.
    

12. This sends a confirmation receipt on your email and phone number, along with the confirmed appointment date.
    

13. As a final step, the child and guardian need to physically visit the Aadhaar Centre on the allocated date.
    

14. Once the formalities are completed, your kid’s Baal Aadhaar Card will be delivered within 60 days to your registered address.
    

15. Additionally, you can download Baal Aadhaar Card as a digital copy.
    

Offline application for Baal Aadhar is hassle-free using the following steps:

1. Locate the nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra in your area.

2. Request the Aadhaar Enrolment Form for Baal Aadhaar from the officials at the centre.

3. Complete the form with accurate details, including the child’s name, date of birth, and demographic information.

4. Ensure you provide the Aadhaar number of at least one parent or legal guardian, as it is mandatory for authentication.

5. Attach the documents required, such as:

• Child’s Birth Certificate
  

• Parent’s/Guardian’s Aadhaar Card
  

• Proof of Address (if applicable)
  
  

6. After submitting the form, the officials will verify the details. 

7. For children below 5 years, only a photograph will be captured, while no biometric data is collected.

8. Post-verification, you will receive an acknowledgement slip containing the Enrolment ID (EID), which can be used to track the status of your application. 

9. The final document will be processed and sent to your registered address within 60 days.

Note: For children below 5 years, biometric data collection is not required. However, biometric updates will be necessary at ages 5 and 15.

Used as an important identity document for children below 5 years of age, a Baal Aadhaar card is considered essential due to the following reasons:

• Access to government schemes: The Baal Aadhaar forms the basis of identity for children eligible for children welfare initiatives like the mid-day meal schemes.
  

• Simplified school admissions: Schools accept Baal Aadhaar for kids during school admissions and enrollments. This serves as a valid identity and address proof.
  

• Access to vaccinations and healthcare benefits: Children below 5 years may be eligible for free vaccinations and healthcare benefits under the Ayushman Bharat initiative. Baal Aadhar serves as a verifiable identity proof to access these benefits.
  

• Identity proof for financial base: Baal Aadhar serves as a key document in creating the financial inclusion foundation for kids. It acts as a base document for future bank accounts, sim cards, etc.
  

• Travel identity proof: The Baal Aadhaar also proves essential for kids when travelling as it is accepted for domestic trains, flights, and hotels, easing family travel without full Aadhaar biometrics.

The Baal Aadhaar Card offers numerous advantages for children and their families, serving as a foundational identity document. It not only facilitates access to government welfare schemes but also simplifies various administrative processes. Here are the key benefits of obtaining the same:

• Acts as a valid identity document for children in various circumstances, such as travel or school admissions.

• Enables children to benefit from various government welfare programmes, including healthcare services, mid-day meals, and scholarships.

• Makes the school admission process seamless, as it is accepted as an official identity and age proof.

• Allows parents or guardians to open bank accounts in the child’s name, promoting early financial inclusion.

• Ensures authenticity and facilitates access to services, as the child’s Aadhaar is connected to the Aadhaar of their parent or legal guardian.

• Helps in tracking health and vaccination details for young children under various healthcare programmes.

• Through the m-Aadhaar app, parents can easily access their child’s Aadhaar details anytime, providing convenience.

To download a Baal Aadhaar Card, use the following process:

1. Visit the official UIDAI website.

2. Navigate to the ‘My Aadhaar’ section on the homepage.

3. Under the dropdown, click on ‘Get Aadhaar’.

4. On this page, you will be presented with the option to download Baal Aadhaar Card.

5. Upon being redirected, proceed by entering your 12-digit Aadhaar Number, 16-digit Virtual ID, or 28-digit Enrolment Number.

6. Enter the Captcha and click on ‘Send OTP’.

7. Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

8. Click on ‘Download Aadhaar’ to download the Baal Aadhaar Card.

Note: Once you have downloaded your child’s digital Aadhaar Card, you will need to enter an 8-character password to access it. This password consists of the first 4 letters of your child’s name (in uppercase) and your child’s birth year in YYYY format. For example, if your child’s name is Rohan and they were born in 2020, the password will be ROHA2020.

Baal Aadhaar skips biometrics at enrollment for kids under 5, using only photos and demographics linked to parent's Aadhaar. Mandatory biometric capture is required at age 5 and again at 15 during updates at Aadhaar centers, which is free for children.

The Baal Aadhaar card is blue in colour. This blue Aadhaar card includes a 12 digit unique identification number, issued by UIDAI.

The Baal Aadhaar Card remains valid until the child reaches the age of 5, after which certain updates are required for validity. For children below 5 years of age, the card is issued without biometric data, relying solely on demographic information and a photograph. However, to maintain the card’s validity:

• Once the child turns 5, biometric data such as fingerprints and an iris scan must be added.

• A final biometric update is required at age 15 to capture any physical changes and ensure the Aadhaar details remain accurate.
   

These updates are mandatory, and they help maintain the reliability of the Aadhaar database as the child grows. Apart from these updates, there is no need for reapplication, and the Aadhaar number remains the same throughout the individual’s lifetime.

The following conditions apply for Baal Aadhaar enrolment.

• Age requirement: Child must be below 5 years.

• Residency status: Child must be an Indian resident.

• Parent Aadhaar: Aadhaar of at least one parent or legal guardian is mandatory.

To enrol your child for a Baal Aadhaar Card, you will need to provide specific documents to verify their identity and establish their relationship with you. The documents required for a Baal Aadhaar card are as follows: 

• Proof of Identity for the Child, such as a birth certificate.

• Proof of Address, such as the parent’s or guardian’s Aadhaar Card, as the child’s Aadhaar will be linked to the address mentioned on it.

• Proof of Relationship, such as a document mentioning both the child’s and parent/guardian’s names; this could be the birth certificate.

• Photograph of the Child, as a current passport-sized photograph is required for the Aadhaar card.

Note: For children below 5, biometric data isn’t collected, but their Aadhaar is linked to the parent’s or guardian’s Aadhaar. Biometric updates are required at ages 5 and 15. Enrolment is free, and an acknowledgment slip with the Enrolment ID (EID) will be provided to track the Aadhaar status. Ensure all documents are original and valid.

Here are the steps to update a Baal Aadhaar Card online using the UIDAI portal’s Aadhaar Update Service:

1. Visit the UIDAI website.

2. Navigate to the ‘My Aadhaar’ section and click on ‘Update Your Aadhaar’ from the dropdown menu.

3. On the Aadhaar Update Service page, you can select the type of update you require:

• Document Update

• Update Address in the Aadhaar

• Enrolment & Update Forms

• Aadhaar Enrolment & Update Charges

• Aadhaar Update History
   

4. Click on the relevant option and follow the displayed steps to update the Baal Aadhaar details online.

For Baal Aadhaar, no minimum age is applicable. Newborns and infants can receive it immediately after birth. It uses parent's Aadhaar linkage, with biometrics added later at age 5.

Here are the key features of the Aadhaar card for children below five years of age:

• The Aadhaar card can be issued for children below 5 years, including newborn babies.

• Biometric details (fingerprints and iris scan) are not collected for this age group.

• One of the parents or a legal guardian must provide their Aadhaar details to link with the child’s Aadhaar.

• Only the child’s name, age, residential address, and a recent photograph are needed for enrollment.

• Biometric updates (fingerprints and iris scan) are required once the child turns 5 and again at 15 to ensure the Aadhaar details remain accurate.

• The enrollment process is free of charge.

• The child’s Aadhaar can be used to access various government welfare schemes, healthcare services, and school admission processes.

The Aadhaar enrolment process for children aged between 5 and 15 is similar to that for adults, with a few child-specific considerations. Here are the key details:

• During enrollment, the child’s name, date of birth, residential address, and other demographic details are collected.

• Unlike children below 5 years, children in this age group must provide their biometric information, including fingerprints and an iris scan, at the time of enrolment.

• A biometric update is required at age 15 to ensure Aadhaar details remain accurate, capturing changes in physical characteristics due to growth.

• For authentication purposes, the Aadhaar of at least one parent or legal guardian is linked to the child’s Aadhaar during the enrolment process.

• The entire process of enrolment and biometric updates is free of charge.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check Baal Aadhaar Card’s status through the official UIDAI portal:

1. Visit the official UIDAI website.

2. On the homepage, click on ‘My Aadhaar’.

3. Select ‘Get Aadhaar’ from the dropdown menu.

4. Click on the ‘Check Status’ option to proceed.

5. You will be redirected to the ‘myAadhaar’ login page.

6. Log in to the portal using your Aadhaar Number and the captcha code.

7. Once logged in, you will be able to view the Baal Aadhaar card status check online, along with the statuses of any other requests you may have submitted.

The online process for Baal Aadhaar primarily allows parents or guardians to book an appointment. The actual enrolment and verification are completed only through an in‑person visit to an authorised centre.

Online steps involved in the process:

• UIDAI portal access: Visit the official UIDAI website and navigate to ‘Book Appointment’ under the ‘My Aadhaar’ section.
• Centre selection: Choose between a UIDAI‑run Aadhaar Seva Kendra or a registrar‑run enrolment centre based on availability.
• Appointment confirmation: Verify the mobile number using OTP and select a suitable date and time slot.
• Visit the centre: The child and one parent or legal guardian must visit the selected centre on the scheduled date to complete enrolment.

Offline enrolment is available across authorised Aadhaar enrolment centres and Aadhaar Seva Kendras and does not require prior online booking.

Steps followed at the enrolment centre:

• Visit the centre: Go to a UIDAI‑authorised Aadhaar enrolment centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
• Submit the enrolment form: Fill in the Aadhaar enrolment form with the child’s demographic details.
• Provide required documents: Submit the child’s birth proof and Aadhaar of one parent or legal guardian.
• Photograph capture: The child’s photograph is captured at the centre; biometrics are not collected below age five.
• Acknowledgement slip: An enrolment ID (EID) is issued, which can be used to track the application status.

Booking an appointment helps manage crowd flow at Aadhaar Seva Kendras and provides a fixed time slot for the visit.

Steps to book an appointment:

• Appointment website: Visit the UIDAI appointment portal at appointments.uidai.gov.in.
• Mobile number verification: Enter the mobile number and complete OTP verification.
• Slot booking: Select the enrolment service, centre location, and preferred date and time.
• Confirmation receipt: Appointment details are shared digitally through SMS or email and must be carried on the visit day.

Newborn babies are enrolled under the Baal Aadhaar category and follow the same process applicable to children below five years of age.

Key points applicable to newborn enrolment:

• Age eligibility: Aadhaar enrolment is permitted from birth with no minimum age requirement.
• Documents required: Birth certificate or hospital discharge slip and Aadhaar of a parent or legal guardian.
• Biometric requirement: No biometric data is collected at this stage.
• Aadhaar generation: The Aadhaar number is generated after verification and delivered to the registered address.

Children above the age of five are required to provide biometric data while applying for Aadhaar, unlike Baal Aadhaar enrolment below this age.

Steps involved in the enrolment process:

• Visit an enrolment centre: Aadhaar Seva Kendra or any UIDAI‑authorised enrolment centre can be used for the application.

• Submit enrolment form: The Aadhaar enrolment form must be filled with the child’s demographic details.

• Provide supporting documents: Birth certificate and Aadhaar of one parent or legal guardian are required for verification.

• Biometric capture: Fingerprints, iris scan, and photograph of the child are collected at the centre.

• Acknowledgement slip: An enrolment ID (EID) is issued for tracking the application status.

Applicants can check the processing status of a Baal Aadhaar card after enrolment using the acknowledgement details.

Ways to track the application status:

• Using enrolment ID: The EID provided on the acknowledgement slip can be used for tracking.

• UIDAI portal: Status can be checked on the official UIDAI website under the Aadhaar status section.

• Status updates: Processing stages such as verification, approval, or dispatch are shown online.

Once Aadhaar is generated, a digital copy of the Baal Aadhaar card can be downloaded from UIDAI’s official portal.

Steps to download the Baal Aadhaar card:

• Access UIDAI website: Visit the Aadhaar download section on the UIDAI portal.

• Enter enrolment details: Use Aadhaar number, Enrolment ID, or Virtual ID.

• OTP verification: An OTP is sent to the registered mobile number for authentication.

• Download e‑Aadhaar: The Aadhaar PDF can be downloaded and accessed using the prescribed password format.

UIDAI allows certain Aadhaar updates to be initiated online, depending on the type of information to be changed.

Online update options available:

• Document updates: Address‑related document uploads may be supported online.

• Access through myAadhaar: Updates can be accessed via the myAadhaar dashboard.

• Centre visit requirement: Biometric updates and some demographic changes require visiting an enrolment centre.

Biometric updates are mandatory to keep Aadhaar information accurate as the child grows.

Key stages of biometric updates:

• At age 5: First biometric update involving fingerprints and iris scan.

• At age 15: Final biometric update to reflect physical changes.

• Cost factor: These mandatory biometric updates are carried out free of charge.

• Update location: Updates must be completed at UIDAI‑authorised Aadhaar enrolment centres.

Baal Aadhaar is linked with a parent’s or legal guardian’s Aadhaar for identity verification purposes.

Important points regarding parent linkage:

• Mandatory linkage: Aadhaar of one parent or guardian is required during enrolment.

• Automatic process: The linkage is completed at the time of enrolment itself.

• No separate action: Additional linking steps are not required later unless corrections are needed.

The mAadhaar mobile application allows parents and guardians to manage Aadhaar details digitally.

Features relevant for children:

• Profile storage: Child Aadhaar profiles can be stored along with parent Aadhaar details.

• Offline verification: QR‑code based offline verification is supported.

• Security controls: Biometric lock and unlock features are available.

• Request tracking: Parents can track Aadhaar‑related requests through the app.

Errors in Baal Aadhaar details can be corrected through UIDAI‑approved update processes.

Correction methods available:

• Online initiation: Certain updates may be initiated through the myAadhaar portal.

• Centre‑based updates: Changes requiring document verification or biometrics must be done at an enrolment centre.

• Acknowledgement receipt: An update request number (URN) is issued for tracking corrections.

UIDAI provides centralised support channels for Aadhaar‑related assistance.

• Toll‑free helpline: UIDAI customer care number 1947

• Email support: help@uidai.gov.in

• Grievance handling: Requests and complaints can be raised through the UIDAI grievance portal

The Baal Aadhaar card plays a structured role in providing identity continuity for children from birth through adolescence. By understanding enrolment methods, biometric update timelines, online services, and correction processes, parents can maintain accurate Aadhaar records and ensure uninterrupted access to applicable services.