Free Aadhaar Address Change Online: UIDAI Simplifies Process

Updating your Aadhaar card just got easier. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has made address updates completely free on its website. This service is available until 14 July 2026.

On the face of it, it sounds routine. But for millions who depend on Aadhaar for everyday services, the change could make life smoother. The question is - will it also get more people to go digital?

What exactly has changed?

For the first time in years, you can change your Aadhaar address online without paying a rupee. The process is simple enough: visit the official UIDAI site, upload proof of address, and submit. No need to visit a centre, no waiting line.

There’s a catch, though. The waiver applies only to address updates. If you want to fix your name, date of birth or biometrics, you’ll still have to visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra in person.

UIDAI says this is part of a larger push to make Aadhaar services more digital and more user-friendly. It’s also a gentle reminder for people to keep their details accurate.

How to update your Aadhaar online?

The process isn’t complicated. Here’s how it goes:

1. Go to uidai.gov.in.
   

2. Under “My Aadhaar”, click “Document Update.”
   

3. Choose “Click to Submit” and enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
   

4. Verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
   

5. Select “Address Update.” And choose either to upload your address proof or use the Head of Family member’s Aadhaar.
   

6. Fill in the details and upload the document.
   

7. Submit and save the slip that appears.
   

That slip has your Update Request Number (URN) - it helps track the progress later. Usually, UIDAI finishes verification in about a month, though sometimes it takes up to 90 days.

Need help? Call 1947 or email help@uidai.gov.in.

If you’re trying to change your name, date of birth, or biometric details, you’ll still need to visit a centre. UIDAI has also introduced a revised fee between ₹75 and ₹125, depending on the service.

The agency says the pricing makes the process consistent across locations and helps maintain transparency.

Why this matters?

Aadhaar isn’t just an ID card anymore. It’s used for everything - bank accounts, SIM cards, PAN linking, even government subsidies. When the address is wrong, everything else starts to fall apart.

By making the process free, UIDAI hopes to cut delays and paperwork. It’s also a small step toward encouraging people to manage their data themselves instead of depending on middlemen.

For many households, this update means convenience. For the government, it’s another way to push India’s digital ecosystem forward.

What the Supreme Court has Said Recently

The Supreme Court has weighed in on how Aadhaar may and may not be used. In a recent order it directed the Election Commission of India (EC) to accept Aadhaar as one of the identity documents in the special intensive voter roll revision in Bihar.

However, the Court also made clear that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship on its own.

The dynamic is interesting: while Aadhaar is increasingly being treated as a valid identity proof, its role remains legally circumscribed. The takeaway? Keeping your details updated matters not just for Aadhaar’s sake, but for how the document is used in wider identity- and service-related settings.

Will it Affect Demat/Trading Accounts?

Anyone who invests or trades in the stock market should take note. To open or operate a demat account, you must link your Aadhaar (and PAN).

If your Aadhaar address is outdated or wrong, future verifications could run into problems. Specifically:

• Trading platforms and depositories may suspend demat accounts if PAN is not linked with Aadhaar.
  
• An invalid or mismatched address may raise red flags during KYC or verification checks.
  

In short, the free address update option may help investors maintain compliance and avoid disruption in their stock-market access.

UIDAI’s Latest Move As Part of the Simplification Process:

Meanwhile, UIDAI launched a new Aadhaar app that allows you to store your Aadhaar digitally on the phone instead of having to carry it physically. The app is secured with your biometric data (fingerprint and face unlock), so your details remain private.

Conclusion

Even with this online option, not everyone will find it easy. People without a registered mobile number or steady internet access still must visit centres. Awareness, too, remains limited. Many may not even know this service exists.

So while the move is a welcome one, its impact will depend on how widely it’s used.

Still, it leaves one question hanging - will Indians finally choose to go online to manage their Aadhaar on their own?

Sources

Moneycontrol
Times Bull