Baal Aadhaar Card — How to Apply for Child Aadhaar Below 5 Years

Every child in India deserves an identity, and Baal Aadhaar is exactly that — a unique identity card issued by UIDAI for children below 5 years of age. Whether your baby was born yesterday or your toddler is about to start school, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting your child's Aadhaar card.

Related: If you need an Aadhaar for yourself, check our guide on How to apply for Aadhaar card.

What is Baal Aadhaar?

Baal Aadhaar is a special Aadhaar card issued to children below 5 years of age. Here's what makes it different:

• It is blue in colour (regular Aadhaar is white/grey)
• No biometrics (fingerprints or iris scan) are collected — only a facial photograph of the child is taken
• The child's Aadhaar is linked to the parent's Aadhaar (either mother or father)
• It carries a unique 12-digit Aadhaar number, just like an adult's Aadhaar
• It is valid until the child turns 5, after which a mandatory biometric update is required

The blue colour helps easily identify that this Aadhaar belongs to a young child.

Who Needs Baal Aadhaar?

Baal Aadhaar is meant for all children below 5 years of age residing in India. While Aadhaar is not mandatory by law, it is practically required for:

• School admissions (many schools ask for child's Aadhaar)
• Government subsidies and schemes for children
• Scholarship applications
• Opening a bank account in the child's name
• LPG and ration card linking
• Vaccination records and hospital registrations

Getting your child's Aadhaar early saves you from last-minute hassles during school admissions.

Documents Required for Baal Aadhaar

You will need the following documents when visiting the Aadhaar enrolment centre:

For the Child

• Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Corporation / Gram Panchayat / Hospital

For the Parent

• Aadhaar card of one parent (mother or father) — this is mandatory
• The parent whose Aadhaar is provided must be physically present at the centre

Important Points

• No address proof of the child is needed — the address is taken from the parent's Aadhaar
• If neither parent has Aadhaar, the parent must first get their own Aadhaar card. See: How to apply for Aadhaar card
• No biometrics of the child are captured (only a photo of the child's face)

How to Apply for Baal Aadhaar at an Aadhaar Centre

Baal Aadhaar can only be applied for at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. There is no online application process for new Aadhaar enrolment.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Find Your Nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre Visit https://appointments.uidai.gov.in to locate an Aadhaar centre near you. You can also book an appointment online to avoid long queues.

Step 2: Visit the Centre with Your Child Carry the child along with the required documents (birth certificate + parent's Aadhaar). The parent whose Aadhaar is being linked must be present.

Step 3: Fill the Enrolment Form At the centre, you will be given an Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Form. Fill in the child's details:

• Child's name (as per birth certificate)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Parent's Aadhaar number
• Address (auto-filled from parent's Aadhaar)

Step 4: Document Verification The operator will verify the birth certificate and parent's Aadhaar.

Step 5: Photo Capture Only a facial photograph of the child will be taken. No fingerprint or iris scan is done for children below 5 years.

Step 6: Collect Acknowledgement Slip You will receive an Enrolment ID (EID) on the acknowledgement slip. Keep this safe — you will need it to track your Aadhaar status and download e-Aadhaar.

Step 7: Receive Aadhaar Your child's Baal Aadhaar will be generated and sent to the registered address within 60–90 days. You can also download it online once it's ready.

Fees

• First-time enrolment: FREE (no charges at all)
• Any update after enrolment: ₹50 (for demographic or biometric updates)

Aadhaar for Newborn Baby

Yes, you can enrol your newborn baby for Aadhaar from Day 1! There is no minimum age requirement.

Here's what you need for a newborn's Aadhaar:

• Discharge certificate from the hospital or birth certificate (whichever is available)
• Parent's Aadhaar card (one parent)
• Parent must be present with the baby

Many hospitals now have Aadhaar enrolment facilities. Check with your hospital if they offer this service.

Tip: Getting Aadhaar for your newborn early means you won't have to rush later for school admissions or government scheme benefits.

How to Download Baal Aadhaar

Once your child's Aadhaar is generated, you can download the e-Aadhaar online:

1. Visit https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
2. Click on "Download Aadhaar"
3. Enter the child's Aadhaar number, Enrolment ID, or Virtual ID
4. Enter the OTP sent to the parent's registered mobile number
5. Download the e-Aadhaar PDF

Password to open the PDF: First 4 letters of the child's name (in CAPS) + year of birth (YYYY). For example, if the child's name is ARJUN and birth year is 2024, the password is ARJU2024.

You can also download Aadhaar using the mAadhaar mobile app available on Android and iOS.

Related: For detailed download steps, see Download e-Aadhaar.

Mandatory Biometric Update at Age 5

This is very important and many parents miss it!

When your child turns 5 years old, you must visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre to update the biometrics. Here's what happens:

• All 10 fingerprints and iris scan of the child are captured for the first time
• A new facial photograph is taken
• The blue Baal Aadhaar is replaced with a regular Aadhaar
• The Aadhaar number remains the same — only the biometrics are added

How to Update at Age 5

1. Visit any Aadhaar Enrolment Centre
2. Carry the child's existing Aadhaar card
3. The operator will capture biometrics and update the photo
4. Fee: ₹50 for biometric update

⚠️ If you don't update biometrics at age 5, the child's Aadhaar may stop working for authentication-based services.

Mandatory Biometric Update at Age 15

A second mandatory biometric update is required when the child turns 15 years old. This is because a child's biometrics change significantly between ages 5 and 15.

What Happens at Age 15

• All biometrics are recaptured — fingerprints, iris, and photograph
• The Aadhaar number remains the same
• This ensures accurate authentication for the rest of their adult life

How to Update at Age 15

1. The child (now a teenager) can visit the Aadhaar centre themselves
2. Carry the existing Aadhaar card
3. Fee: ₹50 for biometric update

How to Correct Child's Aadhaar Details

If there's a mistake in your child's name, date of birth, gender, or address on the Aadhaar card, you can get it corrected.

Online Correction

1. Visit https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
2. Log in using the child's Aadhaar number and OTP (sent to parent's mobile)
3. Select "Update Demographics"
4. Upload supporting documents (birth certificate for name/DOB correction)
5. Pay ₹50 online
6. Submit and track the status

Offline Correction (At Aadhaar Centre)

1. Visit any Aadhaar Enrolment Centre
2. Fill the Aadhaar Update Form
3. Submit proof documents
4. Pay ₹50
5. Collect acknowledgement slip

Related: For name corrections, see our detailed guide on Aadhaar name correction.

Uses of Baal Aadhaar

Having your child's Aadhaar opens up many doors:

• School Admission: Most schools now require the child's Aadhaar during admission
• Scholarships: Government and private scholarships require Aadhaar verification
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Aadhaar is used for tracking beneficiaries
• Government Subsidies: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for child welfare schemes
• Bank Account: Open a minor's savings account with Aadhaar
• Passport Application: Child's Aadhaar can be used as identity proof
• Ration Card Linking: Add the child to the family's ration card
• Health ID (ABHA): Create your child's Ayushman Bharat Health Account

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Baal Aadhaar mandatory for children?

Aadhaar is not legally mandatory, but it is practically required for school admissions, scholarships, and government schemes. It's best to get it done early.

2. Can I apply for Baal Aadhaar online?

No. New Aadhaar enrolment (including Baal Aadhaar) can only be done at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. You must visit in person with your child.

3. What if my child doesn't have a birth certificate yet?

You can use the hospital discharge certificate as a temporary document. However, it's best to get the birth certificate issued first for hassle-free processing.

4. Can a grandparent or guardian apply for the child's Aadhaar?

No, only the biological parent (mother or father) whose Aadhaar is being linked can apply. The parent must be physically present at the centre.

5. My child's Baal Aadhaar has the wrong name. How do I fix it?

You can correct it online at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in or visit an Aadhaar centre. You'll need to submit the birth certificate as proof. Fee: ₹50.

6. Will my child get a new Aadhaar number after the biometric update at age 5?

No. The Aadhaar number remains the same for life. Only the biometrics are added/updated.

7. How long does it take to receive Baal Aadhaar after enrolment?

Typically 60 to 90 days. You can track the status using your Enrolment ID at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. The e-Aadhaar is usually available for download within 2–3 weeks.

8. Is there any fee for getting Baal Aadhaar for the first time?

No. First-time Aadhaar enrolment is completely free of charge for everyone, including children.

9. Can I use the mAadhaar app for my child's Aadhaar?

Yes, you can add up to 5 Aadhaar profiles (including your child's) in the mAadhaar app. This allows you to carry a digital copy on your phone.

Getting your child's Baal Aadhaar is a simple process that takes just one visit to the Aadhaar centre. Don't wait for school admissions — get it done early and save yourself the last-minute rush!

For more government document guides, explore our other articles on CitizenNest.