How to Apply for a New Voter ID (EPIC)
Register as a new voter and get your Voter ID (EPIC) through the Election Commission's Voters Service Portal — Form 6, documents required, and how to track your application.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- voters.eci.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online & Offline
- Validity
- Lifetime (update required for address changes)
- Issuing Authority
- Election Commission of India (ECI)
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Available
Your Voter ID (officially called EPIC — Elector's Photo Identity Card) is issued by the Election Commission of India. Without it (or your name on the electoral roll), you cannot vote.
Registration happens entirely on the Voters Service Portal (voters.eci.gov.in) using Form 6. The form is short, but you'll need scans of age proof, address proof, photo, and identity proof in your constituency of ordinary residence.
A Booth Level Officer (BLO) will usually visit your address to verify your application. Once approved, you can download the e-EPIC immediately and the physical card arrives by post.
Eligibility
- You are an Indian citizen aged 18 or above as of the qualifying date.
- You are an ordinary resident of the constituency where you are applying.
- You are not disqualified under election laws (e.g., not of unsound mind by a court order, not disqualified for corrupt practices).
Required documents
Age proof
RequiredConfirms you are 18 or above as of the qualifying date for voter registration.
Aadhaar, birth certificate, school transfer certificate, matriculation certificate, passport, or driving licence.
PDFJPGAddress proof
RequiredVerifies ordinary residence in the constituency — determines which polling station you're assigned to.
Aadhaar, latest utility bill, bank passbook with address, rent agreement, passport, or Kisan passbook.
PDFJPGPhotograph
RequiredPrinted on the EPIC card for visual identification at the polling booth.
Recent passport-size colour photo uploaded online.
JPGIdentity proof
RequiredAdditional identity verification alongside age and address proofs.
Aadhaar, passport, PAN, driving licence, or government-issued photo ID.
PDFJPG
Step-by-step process
- 1
Open the Voters Service Portal
Go to voters.eci.gov.in and register / log in with your mobile number.
voters.eci.gov.in ↗ - 2
Choose Form 6 — New Voter Registration
From the dashboard, select 'Fill Form 6'. Choose your state, district, and Assembly Constituency.
- 3
Enter personal details
Fill your name (in English and local language as required), DOB, gender, parent's / spouse's name, contact details.
- 4
Enter address
Enter the address where you ordinarily reside. This determines your polling station and constituency.
- 5
Upload documents
Upload scans of your age proof, address proof, photo, and identity proof. Each file must meet size and format limits shown on the portal.
- 6
Submit and note the reference number
Save the reference number for status tracking.
- 7
Booth Level Officer (BLO) verification
Your BLO may visit to verify your address and identity. Cooperate and keep originals handy.
- 8
Track and receive EPIC
Track on the Voters Service Portal. Once approved, your EPIC is generated and a physical card is sent to your address. You can also download the e-EPIC immediately.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
voters.eci.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Election Commission of India
- Approving Officer
- Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for your constituency
- For Offline Applications
- District Election Office or Tehsildar Office in your constituency
What happens after applying
- 1
Form 6 submission
You fill and submit Form 6 online on the Voters Service Portal with age proof, address proof, photo, and identity proof.
- 2
BLO verification
The Booth Level Officer assigned to your area visits to verify your address and may ask to see original documents.
- 3
ERO approval
The Electoral Registration Officer reviews the BLO's report and approves or rejects the registration.
- 4
Electoral roll inclusion
Your name is added to the electoral roll for your constituency. You receive a notification and can verify on the portal.
- 5
EPIC dispatch
The physical EPIC card is dispatched to your address. You can download the e-EPIC immediately from the portal.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Applying in the wrong constituency
Why: You can only vote where you ordinarily reside. Applying in a different area — even a nearby one — means you cannot vote there.
Fix: Use Aadhaar or a recent utility bill matching your actual residential address to confirm the right constituency.
Registering when already enrolled elsewhere
Why: Duplicate voter registration is a criminal offence under election laws. You must delete your old entry before registering at a new address.
Fix: Check if you're already enrolled at nvsp.in or voters.eci.gov.in. If yes, file Form 7 to delete the old entry before filing Form 6.
Uploading a poor-quality or outdated photograph
Why: A blurry or very old photo gets rejected. The EPIC must have a recent, recognisable photo.
Fix: Use a recent (within 6 months) passport-size colour photo with a plain background, minimum 200 DPI.
Not responding to the BLO during verification
Why: If the BLO cannot verify your address because no one is home and you don't respond to messages, the application is rejected.
Fix: Monitor the mobile number you submitted for BLO calls or SMS. Ensure a family member is available if you can't be home.
Providing an incorrect or incomplete address
Why: An address that doesn't match the uploaded proof causes document mismatch rejection.
Fix: Copy the address verbatim from the address proof document you plan to upload.
Special situations
Turning 18 before the qualifying date of a Special Summary Revision▾
If you will turn 18 before January 1 of the next year, you can apply through a special Form 6 window — even if you're currently 17. The ECI announces this window periodically.
Person with Disability (PwD) applicant▾
PwD voters can self-declare their disability category on Form 6 to be marked as PwD on the electoral roll. This enables doorstep voting access in some constituencies.
NRI (overseas Indian) applying for voter registration▾
NRIs who are Indian citizens can register as overseas voters by submitting Form 6A. They vote in the constituency of their original Indian address. A passport is the key document.
Applicant with no fixed address (nomadic or homeless)▾
Nomadic voters can register under special provisions. Contact the District Election Office for the process applicable in your state.
Rejection due to constituency boundary revision▾
If your constituency was recently revised or delimited, the BLO or ERO will redirect your application to the correct updated constituency. You may need to resubmit.
Frequently asked questions
What is EPIC?▾
EPIC (Elector's Photo Identity Card) is the official Voter ID issued by the Election Commission of India.
Can I have two Voter IDs in different states?▾
No. A person can be registered as a voter in only one constituency. Duplicate registrations are an offence.
How long does the application take?▾
Verification usually happens within a few weeks of BLO visit. The physical EPIC is dispatched after approval.
Can I vote without an EPIC?▾
Yes — if your name is on the electoral roll, you can vote using any other accepted identity proof at the polling booth.
What is the qualifying date for voter registration?▾
The qualifying date is typically January 1 of the year of the Summary Revision. You must be 18 on or before that date to be eligible for that revision cycle.
Can I check if my name is already on the electoral roll?▾
Yes. Search on voters.eci.gov.in or nvsp.in using your name, DOB, and state. This helps avoid duplicate registration issues.
What is a BLO?▾
BLO stands for Booth Level Officer — an appointed official responsible for verifying voter registration applications in a specific polling area.
Can I download an e-EPIC instead of waiting for the physical card?▾
Yes. Once your registration is approved, you can download the e-EPIC from the Voters Service Portal. It is legally valid for polling purposes.
What if I move to a new address after getting my Voter ID?▾
File Form 8 (for address shifting within or outside constituency) on the Voters Service Portal. You cannot vote in your old constituency if you've moved.
Can an NRI register as a voter in India?▾
Yes. NRIs who are Indian citizens can register as overseas electors using Form 6A. A valid Indian passport is required. They vote in the constituency of their original Indian address.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for voter registration?▾
No. Aadhaar can be used as one of the accepted proofs, but it is not the only option. Any valid age and address proof from the accepted list is sufficient.
How do I link my Aadhaar to my Voter ID?▾
Aadhaar-Voter linking is voluntary and done via Form 6B on the Voters Service Portal. It helps the ECI clean up duplicate enrollments but is not required for voting.
What happens if my Form 6 application is rejected?▾
A rejection reason is provided by the ERO. Common reasons include document mismatch, duplicate registration, or ineligible address. Resubmit with corrected documents.
Can I apply for a Voter ID from my college hostel address?▾
Yes, if you ordinarily reside there. Submit the hostel address with proof (bonafide certificate or hostel allotment letter). You can only vote at the constituency of that address.
Do I need to apply again if the electoral roll is revised?▾
No. Once your name is on the roll, it stays unless you move or are specifically removed. You can update details through Form 8 without re-registering.
Official sources
- Voters Service Portal — ECI ↗
voters.eci.gov.in
Official Election Commission portal for voter registration, EPIC updates, and e-EPIC download.
- National Voters Service Portal (NVSP) ↗
nvsp.in
Alternative ECI portal for voter search, registration status, and electoral roll enquiry.
- Election Commission of India ↗
eci.gov.in
ECI's main website with electoral notifications, instructions, and contact details.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.