The Aadhaar card has become an essential identity document in India, required for a wide range of activities from opening bank accounts to school admissions. This means that it’s equally important for children to have their Aadhaar card made as early as possible. For children below five years, the Aadhaar card is blue, and it doesn’t contain biometric details like fingerprints or iris scans. These details can be updated after the child turns five and again between the ages of 5 and 15.
Despite the simplicity of the process, many parents unknowingly make mistakes while applying for their child’s Aadhaar card. These errors can create complications later, so it’s crucial to pay attention while completing the process.
Here’s a look at the most common mistakes and how you can avoid them.
1. Errors in Name Spelling and Details
One of the most frequent mistakes parents make while enrolling their child for Aadhaar is entering incorrect or misspelled names. Aadhaar is an important document used across multiple services, and any spelling mistake can cause issues in the future.
How to Avoid: Double-check your child’s full name before submitting the form. Ensure that the name is correctly spelled, including any middle names or surnames. Take a few extra minutes to verify the details to save time and trouble later.
2. Mistakes in Parent’s Name
Another common issue arises when there are errors in the parent’s names. This often happens due to overcrowding at Aadhaar centers or in hospitals where Aadhaar is generated for newborns. Incorrect names or spellings of the parents can complicate future processes, especially when linking other documents like birth certificates.
How to Avoid: Before submitting the form, ensure that both parents’ names are spelled accurately. If you’re applying for Aadhaar at a busy center, take your time to review the details and avoid being rushed.
3. Incorrect Address Entry
The address on the Aadhaar card is another critical detail. Many parents assume that since the father’s documents are submitted, there’s no need to check the address. However, sometimes the wrong address is recorded in the system, which can create issues later.
How to Avoid: Whether you’re using the father’s Aadhaar or another document to provide address proof, make sure you carefully check the address entered into the system. Ensure that all the information is updated and accurate.
4. Not Linking Child’s Aadhaar with Parents’ Aadhaar
Linking your child’s Aadhaar card with the parents’ Aadhaar is a crucial step that many people overlook. This linkage helps in identifying the child through the Aadhaar details of the parents, making it easier to manage government services like healthcare and education.
How to Avoid: Don’t skip the process of linking your child’s Aadhaar with yours. This can often be done during the application process itself. If not, you can visit an Aadhaar center later to get this important task completed.
5. Forgetting to Update Aadhaar After 5 Years
For children under the age of 5, Aadhaar cards do not include biometric information like fingerprints or iris scans. After the child turns five, it becomes necessary to update their Aadhaar card with these details. Many parents forget to update the Aadhaar card, which leads to issues later when the child’s Aadhaar is needed for school admissions or other services.
How to Avoid: Mark a reminder for yourself to update your child’s Aadhaar when they turn five. The update should also be done again when they turn 15 to ensure that all biometric data is up to date.
6. Skipping Biometric Update Between 5 to 15 Years
Biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scans are essential parts of the Aadhaar card. While the first biometric update is done when the child turns five, a second update is required after the child turns 15 to account for physical changes as they grow.
How to Avoid: Schedule the second biometric update before your child turns 16. This will ensure that their Aadhaar remains valid and usable for all necessary services.
