Lost Aadhaar card? How to recover

Lost Aadhaar card?

If you have lost your Aadhaar card or need a duplicate copy, you can easily recover it by following these steps:

Online Aadhaar Card Download:

1. Visit the UIDAI Official Website:

   - Go to the official website of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI): https://uidai.gov.in/.

2. Click on "Download Aadhaar" or "Retrieve Lost UID/EID":

   - Look for the "Download Aadhaar" or "Retrieve Lost UID/EID" option on the UIDAI website's homepage and click on it.

3. Enter Your Aadhaar Number or VID (Virtual ID):

   - If you have your Aadhaar number, enter it in the appropriate field.

   - If you don't have your Aadhaar number, select the "Enrolment ID" option and enter your 14-digit Enrolment ID and the security code.

4. Request an OTP (One-Time Password):

   - You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter this OTP in the space provided on the website.

5. Verify the OTP:

   - Once you enter the OTP, the website will verify it.

6. Download Aadhaar Card:

   - After successful verification, you will be able to download your Aadhaar card in PDF format. The PDF file will be password-protected.

7. Open PDF with Password:

   - To open the PDF, you will need to enter the first four letters of your name in CAPS followed by your birth year (YYYY) as the password. For example, if your name is John and you were born in 1990, the password would be "JOHN1990."

8. Print Your Aadhaar Card:

   - Once you open the PDF, you can print the Aadhaar card for your records. This printout is considered a valid copy of your Aadhaar card.

Order Aadhaar Reprint (Physical Copy):

If you prefer to have a physical copy of your Aadhaar card, you can order an Aadhaar reprint through the UIDAI website. This option is available if your mobile number is registered with your Aadhaar. Here's how:

1. Visit the UIDAI website (https://uidai.gov.in/).

2. Click on the "Order Aadhaar Reprint" option.

3. Enter your Aadhaar number or VID and the security code.

4. Request an OTP, which will be sent to your registered mobile number.

5. Verify the OTP and complete the payment for the Aadhaar reprint. You will receive a Service Request Number (SRN).

6. Your Aadhaar reprint will be sent to your registered address.

If you don't have a registered mobile number, you may need to visit an Aadhaar Enrollment Center to update your mobile number and then proceed with the online recovery or reprint process.

Remember to keep your Aadhaar information secure to prevent misuse. If you have concerns about the security of your Aadhaar information, consider locking/unlocking your Aadhaar number using the UIDAI website's services.