Child Aadhaar Card: How to Apply for Kids Under 5 (Baal Aadhaar)

What Is Baal Aadhaar (Blue Aadhaar)?

Baal Aadhaar is a special Aadhaar card issued to children below 5 years of age. It is printed in blue colour (unlike the regular white Aadhaar) to distinguish it from adult Aadhaar cards.

Key features of Baal Aadhaar:

• No biometrics captured — No fingerprints or iris scan (as children's biometrics are not mature)
• Based on parents' Aadhaar — At least one parent's Aadhaar is required
• Free of cost — Enrolment is completely free
• Must be updated at age 5 and 15 — Biometric updates are mandatory

Who Is Eligible?

• Any child below 5 years of age (including newborns)
• The child must be an Indian resident
• At least one parent must have a valid Aadhaar number

Documents Required

Note: No address proof is needed for the child — the parent's Aadhaar address is used.

How to Apply for Baal Aadhaar (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Book an Appointment (Recommended)

1. Visit UIDAI Appointment Portal
2. Select your state and city
3. Choose "New Aadhaar Enrolment"
4. Select a date and time
5. Save the appointment confirmation

You can also visit an Aadhaar centre directly, but appointments avoid long waiting times.

Step 2: Visit the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre

Carry the following:

• Child's original birth certificate
• Parent's original Aadhaar card
• The child (must be present)

Step 3: Enrolment Process

At the centre:

1. Fill the Aadhaar Enrolment Form — the operator will help
2. The operator will verify the parent's Aadhaar and child's birth certificate
3. Child's photograph will be taken
4. No fingerprints or iris scan will be captured (for children under 5)
5. Parent's Aadhaar number is linked to the child's record
6. The parent's registered mobile number will receive OTP for verification
7. Verify all details displayed on screen
8. Collect the Aadhaar Enrolment Acknowledgement Slip

Step 4: Track Status & Download

1. Visit myAadhaar portal
2. Use the 14-digit Enrolment ID (EID) from the slip to check status
3. Aadhaar is usually generated within 15–60 days
4. Download e-Aadhaar once generated (the blue Baal Aadhaar)

Fees

Mandatory Updates at Age 5 and Age 15

This is crucial — Baal Aadhaar must be updated twice:

Update at Age 5 (Mandatory)

When the child turns 5:

1. Book appointment at an Aadhaar centre
2. Child's biometrics will be captured for the first time (fingerprints + iris)
3. Photograph will be updated
4. The blue Baal Aadhaar will be converted to a regular (white) Aadhaar
5. This update is free of cost

Update at Age 15 (Mandatory)

When the child turns 15:

1. Visit an Aadhaar centre again
2. All biometrics will be re-captured (fingerprints + iris) as they are now mature
3. Photograph will be updated
4. This update is free of cost

If these updates are not done, the child's Aadhaar may not work for biometric authentication.

How Baal Aadhaar Differs from Regular Aadhaar

Uses of Baal Aadhaar

Even without biometrics, Baal Aadhaar can be used for:

• School admission — Many schools accept Aadhaar as age/identity proof
• Government schemes — Child welfare schemes, nutrition programs
• Passport application — As identity proof for minor's passport
• Bank account — Opening a minor's savings account
• Travel — Domestic air travel (for children above 2)

Important Tips

1. Apply early — You can apply for Baal Aadhaar right after birth; hospitals often have enrolment facilities
2. Don't forget the age 5 update — Set a reminder; without biometric update, the Aadhaar won't work for authentication
3. Keep the acknowledgement slip safe — You'll need the EID to track and download Aadhaar
4. Either parent can apply — Only one parent's Aadhaar is needed, not both
5. Address follows parent — The child's address will match the parent's Aadhaar; update parent's address first if needed

See our Aadhaar address update guide if you need to update the parent's address before enrolling the child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I apply for Aadhaar for a newborn baby?

Yes. You can apply for Baal Aadhaar immediately after birth. Many hospitals have Aadhaar enrolment facilities. You'll need the birth certificate and one parent's Aadhaar.

Q2. Is Baal Aadhaar free?

Yes. Enrolment for Baal Aadhaar is completely free. The mandatory biometric updates at age 5 and 15 are also free.

Q3. What if I miss the update at age 5?

Your child's Aadhaar will still be valid for demographic purposes, but biometric authentication will not work. This may cause issues with services requiring biometric verification. Update as soon as possible.

Q4. Do both parents need Aadhaar?

No. Only one parent's Aadhaar is required for the child's enrolment. Either mother or father can be the linked parent.

Q5. Can grandparents apply for a child's Aadhaar?

No. Only biological parents can apply for a child's Baal Aadhaar. The child's Aadhaar is linked to the parent's Aadhaar number. In cases of orphans or adopted children, the legal guardian with appropriate documentation can apply.

Q6. Will the Aadhaar number change after the age 5 or 15 update?

No. The Aadhaar number remains the same for life. Only the biometrics and photograph are updated. The card colour changes from blue to white after the age 5 update.

Q7. Can I download Baal Aadhaar online?

Yes. Once generated, you can download the e-Aadhaar from the myAadhaar portal using the Aadhaar number or EID. The OTP will be sent to the parent's registered mobile number.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent informational platform and is not affiliated with UIDAI or the Government of India. Information is sourced from official UIDAI resources. Always verify with uidai.gov.in for the latest updates.