How to Download Your e-Aadhaar
Download a fresh, government-signed e-Aadhaar PDF in minutes from the myAadhaar portal — exactly how to open the password-protected file and when an e-Aadhaar is treated as legally valid.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- uidai.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online
- Validity
- Lifetime (re-download anytime for freshest version)
- Issuing Authority
- UIDAI
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Not available
The e-Aadhaar is a digitally signed PDF copy of your Aadhaar card. UIDAI treats it as legally equivalent to the printed card for identity verification, KYC, and government services — you don't need to carry the plastic card around.
Downloading takes a minute on the myAadhaar portal. The only catch is the password: first four letters of your name in UPPERCASE, then your four-digit birth year. So if your name starts with PARV and you were born in 1995, the password is PARV1995.
If you frequently share Aadhaar for KYC, download the Masked Aadhaar — it hides the first 8 digits and gives you a safer-to-share copy. Most KYC processes accept either.
Eligibility
- You hold an Aadhaar.
- You have an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP.
Required documents
Aadhaar / Enrolment ID / VID
RequiredIdentifies your Aadhaar record in UIDAI's system to fetch your signed PDF.
Any one of: 12-digit Aadhaar, 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID), or 16-digit Virtual ID (VID).
digitalAadhaar-linked mobile
RequiredOTP sent to registered mobile authenticates that you are the Aadhaar holder requesting the download.
Used to receive the download OTP.
digital
Step-by-step process
- 1
Open the myAadhaar download page
Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and click 'Download Aadhaar'.
myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in ↗ - 2
Enter Aadhaar or VID
Type your 12-digit Aadhaar (or VID / EID) and the captcha shown.
- 3
Request OTP
Click 'Send OTP'. UIDAI sends a 6-digit one-time password to your registered mobile.
- 4
Verify and choose masked or full e-Aadhaar
Enter the OTP. Choose 'Masked Aadhaar' for sharing (hides the first 8 digits) or full e-Aadhaar.
- 5
Download the PDF
The signed PDF downloads immediately. The file is password-protected.
- 6
Open with the password
The password is the first four letters of your name in UPPERCASE + your birth year in YYYY. Example: name PARV, born 1995 → password PARV1995.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
uidai.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
- Approving Officer
- UIDAI Regional Director
- For Offline Applications
- Nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra (for mobile update to enable download)
What happens after applying
- 1
Authentication
Enter Aadhaar / VID and OTP to authenticate your identity on the myAadhaar portal.
- 2
Format selection
Choose between Masked Aadhaar (first 8 digits hidden) or full Aadhaar depending on your use case.
- 3
Download
UIDAI generates a fresh digitally signed PDF in real time and delivers it as a download.
- 4
Unlock and use
Open the password-protected PDF using the standard password formula, and use it for KYC or identity verification.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Using the wrong password to open the PDF
Why: The password formula is specific: first 4 letters of name in UPPERCASE + 4-digit birth year. No spaces, no separators.
Fix: Use exactly: XXXX + YYYY format (e.g., PARV1995). If your name has fewer than 4 letters, use all available letters.
Downloading Aadhaar without a linked mobile number
Why: Without an OTP, the download cannot proceed — the portal has no alternate authentication method.
Fix: Visit a UIDAI enrolment centre or authorised bank/post office to add or update your mobile number on Aadhaar first.
Sharing the full Aadhaar PDF when only the last 4 digits are needed
Why: Sharing the complete Aadhaar number increases fraud risk — your full Aadhaar can be misused for biometric authentication.
Fix: Download Masked Aadhaar for sharing. Only provide full Aadhaar when a KYC process explicitly requires it.
Treating a printed photocopy of the PDF as e-Aadhaar
Why: A photocopy of someone's downloaded PDF is not an e-Aadhaar — it lacks the official UIDAI digital signature and QR code integrity.
Fix: Download fresh e-Aadhaar directly from myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in each time. Each download generates a newly signed document.
Attempting to download with an expired VID
Why: VIDs do not expire by themselves but are replaced when you generate a new VID. An old VID no longer works once replaced.
Fix: Generate a fresh VID on the UIDAI portal and use it for the download.
Special situations
Name has fewer than 4 letters (e.g., 'Ram', 'Dev')▾
The password uses all available letters — for 'Ram' born in 1990, the password is RAM1990.
Aadhaar mobile number is no longer active▾
You cannot complete OTP verification. Download is blocked. Visit a UIDAI enrolment centre to update your mobile number first.
Aadhaar is locked (biometrics locked or Aadhaar locked)▾
e-Aadhaar download still works if only biometrics are locked — OTP-based access is unaffected. If the Aadhaar itself is locked, contact UIDAI.
Name starts with a special character or space in UIDAI records▾
If your name begins with a title like 'Dr.' or has an unusual character, the password may not work as expected. Try using only alphabetic letters from the name.
Enrolment completed but Aadhaar not yet issued▾
If your Aadhaar is still being processed (typically 90 days after enrolment), you can only download using the Enrolment ID (EID), not an Aadhaar number.
Frequently asked questions
Is e-Aadhaar legally valid?▾
Yes. Under UIDAI regulations, e-Aadhaar (digitally signed PDF) is equivalent to the physical card for KYC and ID verification.
What's the password to open the e-Aadhaar PDF?▾
First four letters of your name in UPPERCASE + four-digit year of birth. Example: NEHA1992.
Can I download Aadhaar without a mobile-linked OTP?▾
No. The download flow requires OTP on the registered mobile. If your mobile isn't linked, visit an enrolment centre first to link it.
What's the difference between Masked Aadhaar and full Aadhaar?▾
Masked Aadhaar hides the first 8 digits and shows only the last 4 — safer for sharing where the full number isn't strictly required.
Can I download e-Aadhaar using a Virtual ID (VID)?▾
Yes. You can enter your 16-digit VID instead of your Aadhaar number to initiate the download.
Does the e-Aadhaar PDF expire?▾
The PDF itself does not expire. However, you can always download a freshly signed version for more recent data. Each download is a new digitally signed document.
Can I download Aadhaar for a family member?▾
Each Aadhaar must be downloaded by the holder using OTP on their registered mobile. You can help someone else download on their device if you have access to their registered mobile for OTP.
How many times can I download e-Aadhaar?▾
There is no limit on the number of downloads. You can download as many times as needed.
Is the QR code on e-Aadhaar valid for scanning?▾
Yes. The QR code on e-Aadhaar encodes your demographic details and can be scanned by authorised KYC agencies using UIDAI's official Aadhaar QR reader.
What is the file size of an e-Aadhaar PDF?▾
Typically 50–200 KB. The file size varies based on the photo quality stored against your Aadhaar.
Can I print e-Aadhaar for use?▾
Yes. Printing the e-Aadhaar PDF produces a paper copy that is accepted at most offline KYC points. Ensure the QR code prints clearly.
What if the captcha on the download page keeps failing?▾
Refresh the page to get a new captcha. If it continues to fail, try a different browser or clear your browser cache.
Does the e-Aadhaar show my full residential address?▾
Yes. The downloaded e-Aadhaar shows the address currently registered with UIDAI. If you've recently updated your address, download a fresh copy to get the latest version.
Can I use e-Aadhaar for international travel or a visa application?▾
e-Aadhaar is not a valid travel document for international use. Aadhaar is an Indian domestic identity document. Use a passport for international travel and visa applications.
What if I forget my four-letter name prefix for the PDF password?▾
The password uses the first four letters of the name as it appears in UIDAI's database — in UPPERCASE. If your full name stored is 'Amit Kumar', the prefix is AMIT. If shorter than four letters (e.g., 'Raj'), use all letters: RAJ.
Official sources
- myAadhaar Portal — Download Aadhaar ↗
myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
Official UIDAI download page for e-Aadhaar PDF.
- UIDAI — Official Website ↗
uidai.gov.in
UIDAI's main portal with links to all Aadhaar services.
- UIDAI — Locate Enrolment Centre ↗
bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in
Find nearby UIDAI enrolment centres and update centres.
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.