Aadhaar Card Update - How to Deactivate Aadhaar After a Person’s Death

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Aadhaar cards can pose a risk of identity theft and financial fraud if they remain active after the holder’s death. To address this concern, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced an online facility that allows family members to report the death of an Aadhaar holder and request deactivation of their Aadhaar number.
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The service is available through the MyAadhaar portal and aims to prevent identity misuse and fraudulent transactions. Family members can submit the required details online instead of relying entirely on offline procedures.


What Is UIDAI’s New Aadhaar Deactivation Facility?

UIDAI has introduced the ‘Report Death of a Family Member’ service on the MyAadhaar portal. It enables family members to report the death of an Aadhaar holder and initiate the process of deactivating their Aadhaar number.


UIDAI has stated on its official social media platform, X, that requests are carefully processed. Once a request is successfully verified, the authority initiates the Aadhaar deactivation process .

The facility is intended to help prevent Aadhaar misuse and reduce the risk of fraud involving identity verification and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.




Why Is It Important to Deactivate a Deceased Person’s Aadhaar?

Aadhaar is widely used for identity verification across banking, government services and other financial transactions. If a deceased person’s Aadhaar details are misused, fraudsters may attempt unauthorised transactions or exploit linked services.

Potential risks include fraudulent claims involving pensions, subsidies and other benefits. Misuse of identity details could also create complications for the deceased person’s family.

Reporting the death and requesting Aadhaar deactivation can help reduce these risks. Family members should also inform the relevant banks, pension authorities and other institutions about the death, as Aadhaar deactivation does not automatically close accounts or terminate every service linked to the deceased person.


How to Deactivate a Deceased Family Member’s Aadhaar Online

Family members can follow these steps to submit a request through the MyAadhaar portal.


Step 1: Keep the death certificate ready

Before starting the process, arrange the deceased person’s death certificate. You will need the relevant certificate details to submit the request.

Step 2: Visit the MyAadhaar portal

Open the official UIDAI MyAadhaar portal and log in using your Aadhaar number and the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 3: Select the death reporting service


Navigate to the ‘Services’ section and look for the ‘Report Death of a Family Member’ option.

Step 4: Enter the deceased person’s details

Provide the requested information, including the deceased person’s Aadhaar number, name, date of birth and death certificate number.

Step 5: Verify and submit the request

Complete the identity verification required by the portal and submit the request. Keep the acknowledgement or reference details, if provided, so you can track the application.

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Step 6: Check the deactivation status

Visit the MyAadhaar portal to check the status of your request. The information provided states that the process may take approximately 90 days after submission and verification.

If the death certificate details are already linked to the deceased person’s records, the process may be completed more quickly.


Can You Visit an Aadhaar Service Centre Instead?

Family members who face difficulties using the online facility can contact a nearby Aadhaar service centre for guidance on the applicable procedure and record updates.

Before visiting, it is advisable to carry the death certificate and available Aadhaar details of the deceased person. You can also check the official UIDAI website for the latest instructions and service requirements.



What Should Families Do After a Person’s Death?

Reporting the death through UIDAI is one step towards protecting the deceased person’s identity. Families should also notify banks, pension authorities, insurance providers and other relevant institutions, as applicable.

They should check the status of accounts and benefits, follow the required procedures for settling financial matters, and avoid sharing Aadhaar details or OTPs with unauthorised individuals.

Taking these steps can help minimise the risk of identity misuse and reduce the possibility of financial complications for surviving family members.

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