Adopting a child brings several administrative responsibilities, and obtaining an Aadhaar number is one of them. Aadhaar enrolment for an adopted child is generally handled through the same UIDAI enrolment system used for other children, but the parent or legal guardian must have appropriate documents establishing the child’s relationship or legal guardianship.
Apply Aadhaar for an Adopted Child: Full Process
For children below five years, UIDAI requires the involvement of a parent or legal guardian in the enrolment process. The guardian’s Aadhaar details and authentication are used where applicable. Process for both, explained below separately, above 5 years and below 5 year child.
Can an Adopted Child Get an Aadhaar Card?
Yes. An adopted child can be enrolled for Aadhaar if the required identity, address, date-of-birth and relationship/guardianship documents are available.
UIDAI’s current acceptable-document framework specifically recognizes documents establishing legal guardianship issued by a Central or State Government authority or a court under applicable laws. Such documents can be used as supporting documents for Aadhaar enrolment.
For an adopted child, parents should therefore make sure that the child’s legal adoption/guardianship records and other supporting documents are in order before visiting the Aadhaar centre.
Documents Required for Aadhaar of an Adopted Child
The exact documents depend on the child’s age and the type of enrolment. Some commonly relevant documents include:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Valid document establishing legal guardianship, wherever applicable
- Adoption-related legal documents/order, where applicable
- Aadhaar of the parent or legal guardian
- Proof of address required for the applicable enrolment method
- Child’s passport, where applicable
- Other UIDAI-approved identity, address or date-of-birth documents
UIDAI’s current document list includes a document proving legal guardianship issued by a Central Government or State Government authority or a court of law among the acceptable documents for relevant enrolment cases.
Also Read: Biometric Update for Children at Age 5 and 15 Problems & Solution
Is an Adoption Certificate Enough?
Parents should not assume that every adoption-related document will automatically be accepted for every Aadhaar field. UIDAI verifies documents according to its prescribed document list and the purpose for which the document is being used.
Therefore, it is advisable to carry the original adoption/guardianship documents along with the child’s birth certificate and the Aadhaar of the parent or legal guardian.
Aadhaar Enrolment for an Adopted Child Below 5 Years
The process is particularly important for children below five.
Under UIDAI’s child enrolment process, the child visits an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with the mother, father or legal guardian. For a resident Indian child, the mandatory demographic information includes the child’s name, date of birth, gender and address. A parent or legal guardian provides the required authentication and consent.
For children below five years, fingerprints and iris information are not captured. The child’s photograph is captured instead.
Also Read: Mandatory Biometric Update for Children at Age 5 and 15- Complete Guide
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Prepare the documents
Collect the child’s birth certificate and the relevant adoption/legal guardianship documents. Also keep the Aadhaar of the adopting parent or legal guardian.
Step 2: Visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre
The parent or legal guardian should take the child to an authorised Aadhaar Enrolment Centre.
Step 3: Fill in the enrolment form
Provide the child’s correct name, date of birth, gender and address. The details should match the supporting documents.
Step 4: Provide parent/guardian details
For a child below five, the required parent or legal guardian information is recorded. UIDAI states that the parent/legal guardian’s Aadhaar is required for the relevant child enrolment process.
Step 5: Complete authentication and consent
The parent or legal guardian provides authentication and signs the enrolment form as required.
Step 6: Child’s photograph is captured
For children below five, UIDAI captures the child’s photograph rather than fingerprints and iris biometrics.
Step 7: Documents are scanned
The Aadhaar operator scans the applicable supporting documents and submits the enrolment request.
Step 8: Collect the acknowledgement slip
After enrolment, the operator provides an acknowledgement slip containing the enrolment details. New Aadhaar enrolment is free of charge.
Also Read: Change you Name in Aadhar New Rule
Aadhaar Process for an Adopted Child Above 5 Years
The process changes as the child gets older because biometric information is captured for children aged five years and above under the normal Aadhaar enrolment process.
The parent/legal guardian should take the child to the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with the required supporting documents. The operator records the child’s demographic information and captures the applicable biometric information.
Parents should also ensure that the child’s name and date of birth are consistent across the documents being submitted. UIDAI states that the name appearing in the supporting document is replicated in Aadhaar according to its enrolment rules.
What If the Adoptive Parents’ Names Need to Be Updated?
If an adopted child already has Aadhaar and the adoption process subsequently results in changes to the child’s relevant details, the parent or guardian can request an Aadhaar update using the documents accepted by UIDAI for that particular update.
The supporting document should establish the information being requested for update. Parents should not submit an unrelated document merely because it contains the desired information.
Can the Adoptive Parent Become the Head of Family?
Yes, where the applicable Head of Family (HoF) based enrolment process is used, a parent or legal guardian can act as the HoF.
UIDAI’s guidance states that the HoF must be present for HoF-based enrolment and the relationship must be established through an acceptable Proof of Relationship document.
For children below five, UIDAI’s rules provide for enrolment through the parent or legal guardian, subject to the applicable requirements.
Is Birth Certificate Mandatory?
For children born on or after 1 October 2023, UIDAI states that a birth certificate is mandatory for Aadhaar enrolment for resident Indian and NRI children.
This is particularly important for parents of recently adopted children. If the child’s birth certificate does not reflect the information required for the enrolment, parents should first resolve the underlying documentation issue with the competent authority rather than assuming that Aadhaar itself can change the birth record.
How Long Does It Take to Get Aadhaar?
UIDAI currently states that Aadhaar generation for the 0–18 age group normally takes up to 30 days from the date of enrolment, although actual processing can depend on verification and other factors.
Parents should retain the acknowledgement slip until the Aadhaar number has been generated.
Is Aadhaar Enrolment for a Child Free?
Yes. New Aadhaar enrolment is free of charge. UIDAI’s enrolment guidance states that no fee is charged for new enrolment.
Important Points for Adoptive Parents
Before visiting the Aadhaar centre, check these points:
- Carry the child’s original supporting documents.
- Carry the Aadhaar of the parent/legal guardian.
- Make sure the child’s name and date of birth are consistent with the documents.
- Carry the relevant adoption or legal guardianship documentation.
- For children below five, take the child to the centre with the parent/legal guardian.
- For children born on or after 1 October 2023, ensure that the required birth certificate is available.
- Keep the enrolment acknowledgement slip safely.
- Do not pay a fee for a new Aadhaar enrolment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an adopted child get Aadhaar in India?
Yes. An adopted child can be enrolled for Aadhaar subject to UIDAI’s applicable enrolment and document requirements.
Can adoptive parents use their Aadhaar for the child’s enrolment?
For the applicable child/HoF enrolment process, the Aadhaar details and authentication of a parent or legal guardian are used.
Does a child below 5 need fingerprints for Aadhaar?
No. For children below five, UIDAI captures the child’s photograph and does not capture fingerprints and iris biometrics at initial enrolment.
Can a legal guardian enrol a child for Aadhaar?
Yes. UIDAI’s child enrolment process recognizes a legal guardian, subject to the applicable documentation and authentication requirements.
How much does new Aadhaar enrolment cost?
New Aadhaar enrolment is free.
Where can I enrol an adopted child for Aadhaar?
The child can be enrolled at an authorised Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. UIDAI provides a centre-locator facility for finding an enrolment centre.
Applying for Aadhaar for an adopted child involves taking the child to an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with the required documents and the Aadhaar of the parent or legal guardian. The most important part is ensuring that the child’s birth, identity and legal relationship/guardianship documents meet UIDAI’s current requirements.
Important Points to Remember:
- Name Changes: If the child’s name has been changed after adoption, follow this guide to update child’s name after adoption.
- Corrections: If there is any mistake or typo error in the Aadhaar, follow this guide to update aadhaar details.
Getting an Aadhaar card for an adopted child is easy and important for official recognition of your new relationship and can benefit from various government schemes. Follow these steps as explained above to complete the process, if you have any doubt then comment below.