Aadhaar Card
Aadhaar treats demographic updates very differently depending on which field you’re changing. An address change is low-risk to your identity and can be done entirely online in most cases. A name or date of birth change touches the core identity the whole system is built to protect, so it comes with tighter document requirements and, in some cases, an in-person visit. This guide separates the two clearly and covers what documents each update actually accepts.
Quick answer: what can be updated online vs. in person
Address updates can be completed entirely online through UIDAI’s Self Service Update Portal (SSUP), using a valid address proof document as evidence, no OTP-based mobile verification issues, since it doesn’t require biometric confirmation. Name and date of birth updates can sometimes be submitted online too, but they’re held to a stricter document standard and are more likely to require an in-person visit to an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, especially for a significant name change (rather than a small spelling correction) or any date of birth correction, since both are treated as changes to core identity data rather than routine contact details.
| Update type | Can it be done online? | Typical documents accepted |
|---|---|---|
| Address | Yes, via Self Service Update Portal | Utility bill, bank statement/passbook, rent agreement, passport, voter ID, and other UIDAI-listed proofs |
| Name (minor spelling correction) | Often yes, online | PAN card, passport, marriage certificate, gazette notification (for legal name changes) |
| Name (significant/legal change) | Usually requires Seva Kendra visit | Gazette notification or marriage certificate, plus in-person verification |
| Date of birth | Usually requires Seva Kendra visit | Birth certificate, passport, PAN card, school leaving certificate |
How to change your address on Aadhaar online
- Go to UIDAI’s Self Service Update Portal and log in with your Aadhaar number and an OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Select “Update Address” and enter the new address exactly as it should appear.
- Upload a clear scan of an accepted address proof document that shows the new address, a recent utility bill, bank statement, or rental agreement are among the most commonly accepted.
- Submit and note the Update Request Number (URN) from your acknowledgement.
- Check status after a few days using the URN on UIDAI’s status tracker.
If you’d rather not upload a document yourself, or don’t have one that clearly shows your current address, a family member who’s already an Aadhaar holder at that address can validate your address update on your behalf through the same portal, provided they consent through their own OTP. This is a genuinely useful option for someone who’s just moved in with family and doesn’t yet have a utility bill or lease in their own name.
Changing your name on Aadhaar
A small correction, like fixing a spelling mistake or expanding an abbreviated initial, is generally more straightforward and can often be submitted with standard ID proof like a PAN card or passport showing the correct spelling. A more substantial change, most commonly a surname change after marriage, is treated more strictly and typically needs a marriage certificate or gazette notification as supporting proof, along with an in-person visit to a Seva Kendra to complete biometric verification alongside the demographic change. UIDAI also caps how many times core details like name can be updated over an Aadhaar holder’s lifetime, so it’s worth double-checking a name change is finalized correctly the first time rather than treating it as easily reversible.
Changing your date of birth on Aadhaar
Date of birth corrections are held to the strictest standard of any demographic update, since DOB is used to validate eligibility for age-linked services and can’t be self-declared without documentary proof. UIDAI generally requires an official document, a birth certificate, passport, PAN card, or school leaving certificate showing the date, and a DOB update is typically only permitted a limited number of times in a lifetime (often just once, for a genuine correction, rather than repeatedly). If your DOB was recorded incorrectly at enrolment, correcting it as early as possible avoids complications with services later in life that check age eligibility against Aadhaar records.
Frequently asked questions
Can Aadhaar card address be changed online?
Yes, address is the one demographic field that can be fully updated online through UIDAI’s Self Service Update Portal, using an accepted address proof document, or with validation from a family member Aadhaar holder at the same address.
Can Aadhaar card name be changed online?
Minor spelling corrections can often be submitted online with standard ID proof. A significant name change, like a legal surname change, usually needs supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or gazette notification, and typically requires an in-person visit to complete verification.
Can Aadhaar card date of birth be changed online?
Date of birth updates generally require documentary proof (a birth certificate, passport, or similar official document) and, in many cases, an in-person visit to a Seva Kendra, since DOB is one of the most tightly controlled fields and is usually only correctable a limited number of times.
What proof of address can I use for an Aadhaar application or update?
UIDAI accepts a range of documents including a recent utility bill, bank passbook or statement, rental or lease agreement, passport, voter ID, and several others listed on the official portal. The document needs to clearly show your name and the current address you’re claiming.
How many times can you update your Aadhaar details?
Address can be updated as often as needed, since it’s expected to change over a person’s life. Name and date of birth are capped at a limited number of updates over a lifetime (UIDAI publishes the exact limits, and they’re periodically revised), which is another reason to get these corrections right the first time rather than treating them as freely repeatable.
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