Bal Aadhaar

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) registers the children of age 0-5 years under Bal Aadhaar initiative.

Benefits of Bal Aadhaar

Bal Aadhaar works as a facilitator in availing several welfare benefits, and also works as a digital photo identity for children right from birth.

How is Bal Aadhaar issued

Children, including new born babies, can enroll for Aadhaar. Children in the age group of 0-5 years are issued Bal Aadhaar. Collection of biometric (finger prints and iris) is a key feature in issuing Aadhaar as the same is required to establish uniqueness based on de-duplication of these biometrics. However, for Aadhaar enrolment of children in the age group of 0-5 years, these biometrics are not collected.

The enrolment of children below 5 years of age is as follows.

• To enroll a child (from a new born to one below 5 years of age), Aadhaar authentication by one of the parents or guardian of the child is required. Biometric data of children below the age of 5 years is not captured during their enrolment. The child’s name, date of birth, gender and photograph are captured. Their Aadhaar is linked to that of their parent/ guardian. The parent/ guardian needs to take the child to any nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with the following documents:
  • Child’s Birth Certificate issued by Registrar of Birth, Municipal Corporation or any other notified local government bodies like Taluk, Tehsil etc. OR Discharge card/ slip issued by Government hospitals for birth of a child
  • Aadhaar (or Enrolment slip) of one of the parents, preferably that of the mother in the event both parents are alive, or guardian
• Please note that if you have to update the present address in your Aadhaar and wish to have the new address in the child’s Aadhaar, update your details before enrolling the child for Aadhaar. Once your Aadhaar is updated, you can take the child for Aadhaar enrolment and use your updated Aadhaar for this.

Aadhaar enrolment of children in the age group of 0-5 years are carried out based on facial image of the child, and biometric authentication of the parent/guardian (having a valid Aadhaar). A proof of relationship document (preferably birth certificate) is collected at the time of enrolment for Bal Aadhaar.

To differentiate the Bal Aadhaar from normal Aadhaar, it is issued in blue colour, with a remark that this is valid till the child attains the age of 5 years.

What is the validity of Bal Aadhaar

The validity of Bal Aadhaar is upto the age of 5 years of the child.

The biometric details of children need to be updated in their Aadhaar when the child attains the age of 5 years, and once again at the age of 15 years. The child’s fingerprints, iris scans and photographs are captured and updated in their Aadhaar data. This helps the child in using his/her Aadhaar as an identifier wherever required. The Aadhaar number assigned to the child remains the same. This mandatory biometric update for children is FREE.

On attaining the age of 5, the child is required to furnish his or her biometrics at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra to complete a process called mandatory biometric update (MBU). 

The MBU process goes through a de-duplication process. After completion of this process, the child is issued a normal Aadhaar without any change in the Aadhaar number.

Source : UIDAI

Related resources

• Aadhaar handbook for residents