Voter ID (EPIC) in India: How to Register, Apply Online, Correct Details, Link Aadhaar and Download e-EPIC
A practical guide to the Voter ID card in India: eligibility, applying on the Voters Service Portal with Form 6, corrections with Form 8, e-EPIC download, checking your name, voting day rules and common issues.
The Voter ID card, formally called the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC), identifies you as a registered voter. Being on the electoral roll is what matters for voting, and the card is one accepted proof of identity at polling stations. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made registration and corrections available online. This guide explains how.
Fees, forms and procedures change often. Treat the figures here as indicative and confirm them on the official government or bank website before you act.
Eligibility
- You must be an Indian citizen and ordinarily resident at the address where you apply.
- You must be 18 or older on the qualifying date. The ECI now allows applications in advance for those who turn 18 on specified dates in the year, with multiple qualifying dates, so check the current rule.
- NRIs who have not acquired citizenship elsewhere can register as overseas electors using the relevant form.
Check your name on the roll
Search by EPIC number, or by name, relative's name, age and state on the Voters' Service Portal or the Voter Helpline app, or by sending an SMS to the ECI number. Check this well before elections, since deletions and corrections happen continually.
Apply for a new Voter ID: Form 6
- Go to the Voters' Service Portal or use the Voter Helpline app, and sign up with your mobile number.
- Select "Fill Form 6" for new registration.
- Enter your details: name, date of birth, relative's details, address and constituency.
- Upload documents: recent photograph, proof of age (birth certificate, school certificate, PAN or Aadhaar) and address proof (Aadhaar, bank passbook, utility bill, rent agreement, passport).
- Submit, and note the reference number.
- A Booth Level Officer (BLO) may visit to verify your details. Keep originals ready.
- After approval, your name is added to the roll and the card is dispatched. Track the status online.
Other forms
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Form 6 | New registration or shifting into a constituency for the first time |
| Form 6A | Overseas (NRI) electors |
| Form 6B | Aadhaar linking, which is voluntary |
| Form 7 | Objection to inclusion or deletion of a name |
| Form 8 | Correction of details, shifting of residence within a constituency, replacement of a lost card or marking as a person with disability |
Correcting or updating details
Use Form 8 on the portal to correct spelling mistakes, age, photograph, address or to apply for a replacement card. Upload supporting documents. If you move to a different constituency, submit Form 6 for the new address, and the old entry is removed after verification.
Linking Aadhaar
Linking Aadhaar with the voter ID is voluntary and is done with Form 6B on the portal, or through the Voter Helpline app. It helps keep the roll clean by removing duplicates. No eligible voter's name can be deleted merely for not linking.
Download your e-EPIC
You can download a digital voter ID (e-EPIC) as a PDF from the portal if your mobile number is registered, using an OTP. It is a valid proof of identity and can be stored on DigiLocker.
On voting day
- Find your polling station and part number on the portal or app, and check the date and timings announced by the ECI.
- Carry your EPIC or another accepted photo ID such as Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or PAN. Your name must be on the electoral roll.
- Follow queue and conduct rules, and keep your phone switched off at the booth as required.
For official election dates and voting rules in your area, consult the ECI website and local election office rather than third-party sites.
Common issues
- Name missing from the roll: apply with Form 6 and contact the BLO or electoral registration office.
- Wrong details: use Form 8.
- Fake websites and agents: use only the official portal and apps. See scam awareness.
- Lost card: apply for replacement and use the e-EPIC in the meantime.
Other identity documents: Aadhaar update guide, PAN guide, passport guide.
Staying on the roll after you move
People who change cities for work or study are the most common victims of missing names. If you have moved permanently, apply for a new entry in the constituency where you now live, and ask for the old one to be deleted so you are not listed twice. Students living in hostels can usually register at their college address if it is their ordinary place of residence, but should choose one place only. Check the roll every year when the summary revision is announced, keep your mobile number current for portal OTPs and ask family members to verify their entries too. Doing this months before an election leaves time to fix errors, since lists close on a cut-off date.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a Voter ID?
Indian citizens aged 18 or above who are ordinarily resident in the constituency.
Which form is for a new voter?
Form 6.
How do I correct my details?
Use Form 8 on the Voters' Service Portal.
Is Aadhaar linking mandatory?
No, it is voluntary.
Can I download my voter ID?
Yes, as an e-EPIC from the official portal.
Can I vote without the card?
If your name is on the roll, you can vote with other accepted photo ID.
Last reviewed 8 November 2026. Rates, limits and rules change, so confirm figures with the official source before you act.
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Information on AMTools is for general guidance and is not professional financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Rules, rates and limits change, so check the latest official source before acting.