A voter ID card, officially the Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC), is issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to people whose names are on the electoral roll. Getting your name on that roll is what lets you vote; the card is the proof. Enrolment is free and can be done online.
This guide covers who can enrol, how to apply with Form 6, which documents to keep ready, how to check your name in the voter list, and which form to use if you move house or spot a mistake.
Who can apply for a voter ID
You can enrol as a voter if you are:
- an Indian citizen,
- 18 years old on a qualifying date, and
- ordinarily resident at the address where you want to be enrolled.
Until 2022, there was only one qualifying date in a year, 1 January. After the Representation of the People Act was amended, there are now four qualifying dates: 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October. The electoral roll is updated every quarter, so a young person who turns 18 does not have to wait for the next January.
Seventeen-year-olds can apply in advance. Their names are added in the quarter after they reach 18 on one of these dates.
The forms you need to know
| Form | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Form 6 | New voter - inclusion of your name in the electoral roll |
| Form 6A | Overseas Indian elector (citizen living abroad) |
| Form 6B | Giving your Aadhaar number for authentication of roll entries |
| Form 7 | Objection to a proposed inclusion, or deletion of a name from the roll |
| Form 8 | Shifting of residence, correction of entries, replacement card, or marking as a person with disability |
The ECI's modified registration forms came into effect on 1 August 2022, so use the current versions on the official portal rather than old printed copies.
How to apply for a voter ID online (Form 6)
- Go to the official portal at voters.eci.gov.in, or install the Voter Helpline app from the official app stores.
- Sign up and log in with your mobile number.
- Choose Form 6 (new registration for general electors).
- Fill in your details. Give your name as spelt in your documents, in both English and your state's official language if you can. If you fill only one, the system transliterates it automatically, and that can introduce spelling errors.
- Upload a photograph. It must be a recent, passport-size, unsigned colour photo (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) with a white background, eyes open and both edges of the face visible.
- Upload proof of age and address (see below).
- Submit and note the reference number to track the application.
You do not need to know your assembly constituency number. The ECI's guidelines say the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will help and the form will not be rejected for leaving it out. You can also fill the form in English or in your state's official language.
Offline option: you can hand over a filled Form 6 to your area's Booth Level Officer (BLO), who works under the ERO.
Documents for voter ID
- Age proof: a self-attested copy of one of the documents listed in the form. If you have none of them, you can attach another document, but you will then have to appear in person before the ERO or an officer named by them for verification.
- Address proof: a self-attested copy of one of the listed documents, in your own name or in the name of a parent or spouse, with your full address and PIN code.
- Aadhaar number: asked for to authenticate the entries. If you do not have Aadhaar, there is a box in the form to say so.
- Photograph: as described above.
The guidelines also allow field verification for homeless citizens living on pavements or in sheds who have no documentary address proof, as long as they are otherwise eligible.
Students can enrol either at their parents' address or at the hostel or mess where they usually stay - one place only.
Giving a false declaration in any of these forms is an offence under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, punishable with up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.
How to check your name in the electoral roll
Having a card is not enough - your name must be on the current roll of your polling station. To check:
- Open the ECI's electoral search service, linked from voters.eci.gov.in, or use the Voter Helpline app.
- Search by your EPIC number (printed on your card) or by your personal details such as name, relative's name, age, state and district.
- Note your part number, serial number and polling station. These are what you need on polling day.
You can also call the national voter helpline 1950 for help.
If your name is missing, file Form 6 again well before the next election, so there is time for verification.
Shifting, corrections and lost cards (Form 8)
Form 8 is for people who are already enrolled. Tick one option in the form:
- Shifting of residence: apply to the ERO of the constituency of your new address, with a self-attested address proof in your name or a parent's or spouse's name.
- Correction of entries: for a wrong name, age, relative's name or photo. Attach a document that supports the correction; for a new photo, attach a fresh one of the size above.
- Replacement EPIC without correction: for a lost or damaged card. Return the damaged card, or attach a copy of the FIR or police report for a lost one.
- Marking as a person with disability (PwD).
When a shifting, correction or replacement request is approved, a new card is issued and the old one must be returned to the ERO.
Removing a name (Form 7)
Form 7 is used to object to someone's inclusion or to ask for the deletion of a name, for example of a family member who has died or moved away permanently. This helps keep the roll accurate.
Related reading
If you are getting your documents in order, our guides on ration card eKYC and tenant rights in India may also help, especially if you have recently moved.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to apply for a voter ID card?
No. Enrolment is free. According to the Election Commission's Form 6 guidelines, the Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is sent to the postal address you give, free of cost, by speed post after your name is added.
Can I apply for a voter ID at 17?
Yes, you can apply in advance once you are 17. Your name is added to the roll in the quarter after you turn 18 on one of the four qualifying dates - 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October.
Is Aadhaar compulsory for voter registration?
The forms ask for your Aadhaar number to authenticate the entries, but they also give a box to declare that you do not have one, so you can still apply without it.
Which form do I use to change my address on the voter ID?
Use Form 8 and pick the shifting of residence option. It goes to the Electoral Registration Officer of the constituency where you now live, with a self-attested copy of an address proof. Once approved, a new card is issued and you return the old one.
What should I do if I lose my voter ID card?
Apply through Form 8 for a replacement EPIC without correction. For a lost card, attach a copy of the FIR or police report. For a damaged card, return the old one.
Where can students register as voters?
The Form 6 guidelines allow an eligible student to enrol either at the parents' address or at the hostel or mess where the student usually lives, but not at both places.
