New Aadhaar card rules 2026: UIDAI expands document list for enrolment; simplifies rules for children; sets Aadhaar validity period for OCI, LTV, foreigners

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has amended the rules for Aadhaar enrolment and corrections. This update, known as Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) First Amendment Regulations, 2026, modernises the documentation requirement for Aadhaar, expands the list of acceptable documents, makes it easier for children and vulnerable groups to enrol, and establishes clear guidelines for foreigners, among other updates.

Apart from that, UIDAI has also expanded the list of valid Proof of Identity (PoI), Proof of Address (PoA), Proof of Date of Birth (PDB), Proof of Relationship (PoR), and more.

The amended rules have clarified rules for children, foreigners/OCI/LTV holders, transgender persons, children in institutional care and those under legal guardianship.


Now, let's take a look at the main changes introduced by the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) First Amendment Regulations, 2026.5.12

Expanded list of accepted documents for Aadhaar enrolment

1. 
   UIDAI has expanded the list of accepted documents that can be used for Aadhaar enrolment.
   The list includes:
   e-Voter ID
   e-Ration card
   Pension payment orders
   Marriage certificates
   Divorce decrees
   CGHS/ECHS/ESIC cards
   Utility bills
   Educational certificates/marksheets
   Bank statements/passbooks
   Insurance policies
   Registered rent agreements
   NREGA job cards
   Prisoner ID documents
   Shelter home certificates
   UIDAI standard certificate formats issued by officials

The Aadhaar-issuing authority says that any document mentioned in the list will be accepted only if it meets the following conditions:
The document must be valid and not expired.
It should belong to the person submitting it.
The details in the document should be verifiable from the issuing authority or source.
The issuing authority should not have declared that the document cannot be used as proof of identity, address, date of birth or relationship.

Key conditions for Aadhaar document acceptance

UIDAI has also laid down strict conditions for accepting documents during an Aadhaar enrolment or an update.
A Proof of Identity (PoI) document must contain the person’s name and photograph.
Documents submitted as proof of identity, address, relationship, or date of birth should be issued in the name of the person applying.
A Proof of Relationship (PoR) document must contain both the applicant’s name and the Head of Family’s name.
The name mentioned in the document will be used exactly as it appears in the Aadhaar record. No extra details will be added.
The name and date of birth should match across all submitted documents.

Aadhaar update process expanded

UIDAI has broadened documents that can be used for updating the name, address, date of birth and relationship details of an Aadhaar cardholder.

Such documents are marriage orders, divorce certificates, bank documents, insurance documents, educational records and gazette notifications for name change.

Separate document rules for different age groups

For children below 5 years
For the enrolment of children below five years, Head of Family (HoF)-based enrolment has been made central. A birth certificate will be considered the main valid document, while parents/guardian documentation has now been made mandatory.

For children ages 5-18
For this age group, UIDAI has encouraged HoF-based enrolment, but in the absence of it, document-based enrolment will also be allowed.

Clarity for OCI, foreign nationals, Nepal and Bhutan citizens

The amendment has specified the Aadhaar validity period for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders, Long-term Visa (LTV) holders, Nepal and Bhutan nationals and other foreign citizens staying in India for 182+ days in the last 12 months.
Aadhaar validity periods
OCI cardholders: 10 years
LTV holders: Till visa validity
Nepal/Bhutan citizens: 10 years
Other foreign nationals: Till visa/FRRO permit validity

Recognition of transgender identity documents for Aadhaar enrolment

Transgender ID cards and certificates issued under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, will be accepted for Aadhaar updates of a transgender person. These documents can be used for updating identity, address, relationship, date of birth and gender/full-name during an Aadhaar update.

Legal guardianship documents formally recognised

For Aadhaar enrolment and update, the Aadhaar body has recognised guardianship documents issued under the National Trust Act, the Guardians and Wards Act, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. Such recognition is set to help orphaned children, disabled persons and people under count-appointed guardianship.

Special provisions for children staying in child care institutions and vulnerable persons included
UIDAI has added special provisions for children staying in child care institutions and shelter homes, prisoners and HIV/AIDS affected persons via NACO-authorised certificates.