We often overlook applying for an Aadhaar card for a newborn until it becomes necessary. This usually happens during school admission, a bank visit, or a government benefit application. By then, preparing papers and going to centres seems like one more task on an already overflowing plate.
The good news is that you can enrol your child within a few days of birth at no cost. More than 142 crores[1] of Aadhaar numbers have been created by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), as of September 2025, yet millions of children under five don’t have one.
In this blog, you will learn what Baal Aadhaar is, the documents required, the enrolment process, and when biometric updates are necessary.
Baal Aadhaar is a unique Aadhaar card for new born kids under five. Unlike the normal white card for grown-ups, this version is blue in colour. UIDAI doesn’t gather biometric data at this point because a small child’s fingerprints and iris are still growing. During enrollment, only a picture of the child is taken.
The Aadhaar number of one parent is linked to the child’s name, date of birth, gender, and address. The child still gets a unique 12-digit Aadhaar number, which remains unchanged lifelong.
Although it is not compulsory to have an Aadhaar card for new borns, delaying enrolment may lead to last-minute challenges. Here’s what it means to enrol early:
Here is a list of the documents you need to register an Aadhaar card for new born child:
The child’s address is usually the parent’s address, so no separate proof is required. All documents are returned after verification, and enrolment is free of cost.
You cannot enrol an Aadhaar card for new born online; it must be done in person at an authorised centre. This is how the process works:
The Aadhaar number is usually made within 30 days of signing up.
Visit the UIDAI myAadhaar portal using your EID from the acknowledgement slip. To check the status, enter the enrolment number, date, and time.
When the status says “Generated,” you can download e-Aadhaar. This is a digitally-signed PDF. You confirm it with an OTP (one-time password) sent to the parent’s registered mobile number. The e-Aadhaar is legally valid now. It is accepted in schools, banks, and government offices. The printed copy of the letter is sent by post within 1 to 2 weeks.
The Aadhaar card for new born will not always work in its original form. UIDAI needs two changes to your child’s biometric information as they grow.
Update at Age 5
Go to an Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) or any enrollment centre with the child after they turn five. Ten fingerprints and two pictures of the child’s eyes will be taken. There is also a new picture taken. The blue card has been changed to a normal white card after this update. The twelve-digit number stays the same.
Kids aged 5 and 7 can get this fix for free. There may be a ₹100 fee after seven.
Update at Age 15
When the child turns 15, there needs to be a second update. The way your body looks changes a lot from childhood to adolescence. With this change, the Aadhaar information is made sure to match the person correctly. It is also needed to sign up for exams. The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), and the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) all use Aadhaar to make sure that the people who take them are who they say they are.
From October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, UIDAI[1] is giving this update away for free to kids ages 5 to 17.If you miss the chance to update your Aadhaar, it may be briefly disabled. This can make it impossible to get assistance, scholarships, or sign up for tests.
Managing your child’s identity early helps simplify future financial needs. With DMI Finance, you can access seamless digital loan solutions backed by secure Aadhaar-based verification.
1. May I manage my child’s Baal Aadhaar using the mAadhaar app?
Yes. It allows you to set up to five profiles, including your child’s profile. It requires OTP verification with the registered mobile number linked to the parents’ Aadhaar.
2. What happens if the baby’s picture gets old as they get older?
The picture is good until the child turns five. UIDAI thinks it will be updated when biometrics are changed, which is required. There’s no need for a separate picture update before that.
3. Can a legal guardian or grandparent sign up the child instead of a parent?
Yes. A formal guardian can use the process to sign up as a Head of Family. They need their own Aadhaar card and proof that someone is their guardian.
4. Will the Baal Aadhaar number always be related to the parent’s Aadhaar number?
Not at all. The link is only for signing up and giving your information. When a child turns 18, they can make changes to their Aadhaar record on their own.
5. Can a personal loan be used for education expenses?
Yes, a personal loan can be used for education-related expenses like tuition fees and books. Aadhaar is commonly used for KYC verification, and having it early can help simplify future applications.
6. What should I do if the enrollment centre says no without a birth certificate?
Births that happen after October 1, 2023, need a birth certificate. A hospital release slip can be used as proof for now. If they still won’t let you in, call the UIDAI service at 1947.
7. Does Baal Aadhaar have the child’s genetic information on it?
Not at all. The child’s name, date of birth, gender, and address are the only things on the card. When a child turns five, fingerprint and iris records are added.
8. Can I connect my baby’s Aadhaar number to a Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) account?
Yes, banks and post offices will accept the child’s Aadhaar to open an SSY account. It also makes it easier to get any future DBT benefits that are linked to the plan.
9. Is there a penalty for not registering a newborn for Aadhaar?
No. But not having Aadhaar card for new born can make it take longer to get government benefits, go to school, or use other services that need proof of identity.
10. Can I sign up at the hospital itself?
Aadhaar enrollment desks can now be found in many hospitals. You can apply before you leave the hospital with the parent’s Aadhaar number and the release certificate.
