What Happens to a Deceased Person's Aadhaar (Aadhar), and How Do You Report a Death?

Whose Aadhaar is it about?

What happens to a deceased person's Aadhaar?

UIDAI deactivates the Aadhaar of people who have died. It had deactivated over 2 crore such numbers by Nov 2025 and about 2.5 crore by Feb 2026, as reported.

• Where the death data comes from (as reported): the Registrar General of India, state governments, the public distribution system (PDS) and the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
• How records are matched: news reports say the name must match at least 90% and the gender must match 100%.
• The number is never reused. Once deactivated, an Aadhaar number is not given to anyone else.
• Families can also report a death online on myAadhaar, in CRS-linked states (steps).

Mistakes happen. Living people have reportedly been marked dead, and their pension and ration stopped. If that happened to you, see Alive but marked dead.

How do you report a family member's death on myAadhaar?

UIDAI launched Report death of a family member on myAadhaar in June 2025. As of Nov 2025 it worked in 25 states and union territories connected to the Civil Registration System (CRS). You, the family member, log in with your own Aadhaar. Then you enter the deceased person's details.

1. Collect the two numbers

   You need the deceased person's 12-digit Aadhaar number and the death registration number of the registered death.

2. Log in to myAadhaar with your own Aadhaar

   The family member who reports must authenticate first. Use UIDAI's own site, myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Keep your own registered mobile with you, because login usually needs an OTP sent to it.

3. Choose Report death of a family member

   Open the service and enter both numbers carefully. Check every digit before you submit.

4. Keep a record

   Take a screenshot or note any reference shown on screen. Our sources give no processing time. Later you can check whether the number shows as active on UIDAI's Check Aadhaar Validity page (its heading reads "Check Aadhaar Status").

What should the family do with the deceased person's Aadhaar card?

Our sources give no rule about returning or destroying the card. These are simple safety habits:

• Keep the card and any printouts safe. Store them with the death certificate and other family papers.
• Don't share the number or copies with callers, WhatsApp contacts or anyone who doesn't need them.
• Give masked copies where you can. A masked Aadhaar shows only the last 4 digits. See e-Aadhaar vs PVC vs masked.
• Report the death on myAadhaar if your state is linked to the CRS (steps).
• Protect your own Aadhaar too. A biometric lock blocks fingerprint, iris and face checks until you unlock: see Lock Aadhaar & biometrics, VID.

Does reporting to UIDAI also inform the bank, pension office and others?

Our sources don't say that a death report on myAadhaar is passed to banks, pension offices, ration shops or other agencies. As a general step, inform each agency separately and follow its own process. Keep copies of the death certificate ready.

What if a living person was wrongly marked dead?

This is a real problem. People in Karnataka, Odisha and Rajasthan were reportedly marked dead, and their pension and ration stopped. UIDAI's Circular 02/2025 (7 Jul 2025) gives the route to get the Aadhaar back. Full details on checking and reactivation are in Aadhaar deactivated? Reactivate.

1. Ask for the Annexure format

   Ask the UIDAI Regional or State office, or call 1947, for the application format.

2. Apply to the Regional or State office

   Keep a copy of the application and note the date. Ask 1947 which office covers your state.

3. Give your biometrics

   Under the circular, your biometrics are to be captured within 2 weeks.

4. Wait for the decision

   A decision is due within 30 days. UIDAI then informs the Registrar of Births & Deaths.

   You'll know it worked when UIDAI's Check Aadhaar Validity page shows the number as valid. Then ask the pension office and ration shop to restart your benefits.

   No decision after 30 days? Complain on 1947 or myAadhaar with your application date. See Aadhaar complaint & escalation.

What problems come up, and how do you fix them?

Bottom line

If a family member has died and your state is linked to the CRS, report the death on myAadhaar with the Aadhaar number and death registration number. Keep the card safe and inform other offices separately. If a living person was marked dead, apply to a UIDAI Regional or State office. For help, UIDAI's free helpline is 1947 (see UIDAI helpline 1947). For other recent changes, see Latest Aadhaar rules & deadlines.