UIDAI periodically opens a window where Aadhaar holders can update their supporting documents — name proof, address proof, date of birth proof — completely free of charge online. Outside this window, the same update costs ₹50 per request at an Aadhaar enrolment centre.
If your Aadhaar was issued more than 10 years ago and you have never updated your documents since, UIDAI is specifically urging you to update now. Outdated documents linked to your Aadhaar create problems when using it for government scheme verification, bank KYC, and SIM card services.
This guide tells you exactly what you can update for free, how to do it online in under 10 minutes, what the current deadline is, and what it costs if you miss it.
What Is the Aadhaar Free Document Update — And Who Needs It
When UIDAI enrols you for Aadhaar, it stores the documents you submitted as proof of identity and address. These are called supporting documents. Over time, these documents may become outdated — your old voter ID may be from a previous address, or your name proof might show an old spelling.
The free update window lets you upload fresh, current documents against your Aadhaar — replacing the older ones in UIDAI’s system.
Who should update immediately:
- Aadhaar issued more than 10 years ago with no document update since
- Address in Aadhaar does not match your current residence
- Name spelling differs between Aadhaar and PAN, passport, or bank records
- Old documents submitted originally are now expired (expired driving licence, old voter ID)
- Supporting documents were never uploaded at time of enrolment (common for early Aadhaar holders from 2010–2013)
Aadhaar Free Update Deadline 2026 — Current Status
UIDAI has extended the free document update facility multiple times. As of May 2026, the free online document update window remains active at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
IMPORTANT: UIDAI announces deadline extensions on uidai.gov.in. Check the official portal for the current confirmed deadline before assuming the free window is still open. Do not rely on WhatsApp forwards or news articles from months ago — the deadline has shifted multiple times and only uidai.gov.in carries the confirmed current date.
The safest approach: update now. There is no benefit to waiting.
What You Can Update Free — And What You Cannot
Not everything on your Aadhaar can be changed online or for free. Here is the complete breakdown:
| Update Type | Online (Free)? | Aadhaar Centre (₹50)? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Most common update |
| Name (minor correction) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Spelling corrections only |
| Name (major change) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Requires gazette notification |
| Date of Birth | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Only once in lifetime |
| Gender | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Requires documents |
| Mobile Number | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Must be done at centre |
| Email Address | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Via OTP verification |
| Supporting Documents | ✅ Yes (free window) | ✅ Yes (₹50) | Key free update right now |
| Biometrics (photo, fingerprint) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Centre visit mandatory |
The free window specifically covers uploading fresh supporting documents — your identity proof and address proof. The ₹50 fee applies per update request outside the free window.
Documents You Can Upload as Proof
UIDAI accepts specific documents only. Upload clear, readable scans — blurry or cropped documents get rejected.
Accepted as Proof of Identity
- PAN Card
- Voter ID Card (EPIC)
- Driving Licence
- Passport
- NREGA Job Card
- Government-issued photo ID
Accepted as Proof of Address
- Voter ID Card (if address is current)
- Driving Licence (if address is current)
- Passport
- Bank passbook or statement (not older than 3 months)
- Post Office account statement
- Utility bill — electricity, water, gas (not older than 3 months)
- Registered rent agreement
- Government-issued address certificate
PRO TIP: Your bank statement is often the easiest document to use as address proof — most banks let you download a PDF statement instantly from their app. Use a statement from the past 3 months with your name and current address clearly printed.
How to Update Aadhaar Documents Online — Step by Step
This takes approximately 8 to 10 minutes on a smartphone or computer.
- Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
- Click “Document Update” from the services menu
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number
- Log in to your Aadhaar profile
- Select “Update Documents”
- Choose the type of document you are uploading:
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Address
- Date of Birth proof (if applicable)
- Select the specific document name from the dropdown list
- Upload the scanned document (PDF or JPEG, under 2 MB)
- Review and confirm the submission
- Note your Update Request Number (URN) — save this for tracking
You receive an SMS confirmation on your registered mobile immediately after successful submission.
What If Your Mobile Number Is Not Registered With Aadhaar
The online update process requires an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile. If your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar — or if you changed your number — you cannot use the online process.
In this case, you must visit the nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre in person. The centre updates both your mobile number and any document changes in a single visit. The fee for centre-based updates is ₹50 per service.
Find your nearest Aadhaar centre at: appointments.uidai.gov.in/easearch.aspx
How to Track Your Aadhaar Update Status
After submitting your update request online:
- Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
- Click “Check Aadhaar Update Status”
- Enter your Aadhaar number and URN
- Current status appears
Processing typically takes 5 to 10 working days for online document updates. You receive an SMS on your registered mobile when the update is complete.
State-Wise Aadhaar Enrolment Centre Finder
If you need to visit a centre for updates that cannot be done online:
| State | How to Find Nearest Centre |
|---|---|
| All States | appointments.uidai.gov.in/easearch.aspx |
| UP, Bihar, MP | Also available at Common Service Centres (CSC) |
| Maharashtra, AP, TN | Post office Aadhaar centres widely available |
| Rajasthan | Rajasthan e-Mitra centres also offer Aadhaar services |
The UIDAI centre finder at appointments.uidai.gov.in shows real-time availability and lets you book an appointment online — avoiding long queues.
What Happens If You Miss the Free Update Window
Once the free document update window closes, UIDAI charges ₹50 per update request for online submissions made through myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in, and ₹50 per service at Aadhaar enrolment centres.
This is not a large amount — but the practical problem is different. If your Aadhaar documents are outdated and you use Aadhaar for KYC at a bank, telecom company, or government scheme, the mismatch between your current documents and the ones in UIDAI’s system can cause verification failures.
Updating now — while it is free — removes that risk completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My Aadhaar address is from 10 years ago. Will this cause problems? Yes, potentially. Banks, SIM providers, and government schemes increasingly cross-verify your Aadhaar address against what you submit. An outdated address can trigger failed KYC. Update your address online now using a current utility bill or bank statement.
Q: I made a mistake in my name during Aadhaar enrolment. Can I correct it online? Minor spelling corrections — like “Ramesh” to “Ramesh Kumar” or fixing a clearly wrong letter — can be done online. Major name changes require visiting an Aadhaar centre with supporting documents like a gazette notification or marriage certificate.
Q: Can I update Aadhaar documents for a family member online? Each Aadhaar update requires the OTP from the mobile registered to that specific Aadhaar. You can assist a family member with the process using their phone, but you cannot do it from your number alone unless their mobile is registered as yours.
Q: How many times can I update my Aadhaar address? UIDAI currently allows address updates multiple times. However, frequent changes trigger scrutiny. Update when genuinely needed — not as a routine exercise.
Q: I updated my documents but my Aadhaar card still shows old information. Why? Document updates refresh the information in UIDAI’s database — not necessarily what is printed on your physical card. For a reprinted card reflecting new details, download your updated e-Aadhaar from myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in after the update is processed. The e-Aadhaar is legally valid everywhere.
Q: Is the free update available for NRIs with Aadhaar? Yes. NRIs who hold Aadhaar can update documents online at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in using their registered Indian mobile number for OTP. If the registered mobile is an Indian number you no longer use, visit an Indian Aadhaar centre on your next visit to India.
Do It Now — Not Tomorrow
Every week you delay is a week closer to the free window closing. The process takes less time than watching a 10-minute YouTube video, and the documents you likely need — a bank statement or utility bill — are already on your phone.
Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in right now and check whether your documents need updating. If your Aadhaar is over 10 years old, the answer is almost certainly yes.
Share this with your parents and elderly relatives — they are most likely to have outdated Aadhaar records and least likely to know this free update exists.
About the Author C. Thiruvenkatam is the founder and editor of Daily Hind News. With over a decade of experience in digital publishing and Indian civic information, he helps English-speaking Indians worldwide navigate government processes, schemes, and citizen services with clarity and confidence.
