What Documents Are Required for a PAN Card?

Which documents prove all three things at once?

The official list comes from Rule 158 of the Income-tax Rules, 2026. The Income Tax Department publishes it as a document table (Annex G). Each document proves one, two or all three things. This table shows the most useful ones.

What counts as proof of identity?

Give a copy of any one of these. The document must be in your own name.

What counts as proof of address?

Give a copy of any one of these. Bills and statements must be not more than three months old.

What counts as proof of date of birth?

This is where most people get stuck now. Aadhaar, ration card and pensioner card are not accepted as date-of-birth proof. Give one of these instead.

What changed for PAN documents in April 2026?

The Income-tax Act, 2025 and the Income-tax Rules, 2026 took effect on 1 April 2026. Form 93 replaced Form 49A for Indian citizens. Protean and the Income Tax Department list these document changes:

The 1 October 2023 date matches the date from which the amended birth registration law made the birth certificate the main proof of date of birth in India.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for a PAN card?

Yes, for most applicants. The official FAQ says Aadhaar is mandatory for all except the exempted categories. Form 93 says every person who has Aadhaar must quote it. Protean asks for a copy of the Aadhaar letter with physical applications.

Aadhaar matters in three ways:

• Identity and address: one Aadhaar copy covers both.
• Your name: Form 93's instructions say the Aadhaar name will be printed on the PAN card. If Aadhaar shows initials, give the full expanded name with supporting documents.
• Paperless filing: Aadhaar e-KYC and e-Sign use an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.

Who is exempt? The exempt groups notified for the Aadhaar–PAN rule are residents of Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu & Kashmir, non-residents, people aged 80 or older, and people who are not Indian citizens. The Form 93 FAQ does not repeat this list, so confirm with the centre before applying without Aadhaar. If you need to enrol first, see how to get a new Aadhaar.

A PAN quoted with Aadhaar is linked to it. If you already have a PAN that isn't linked, see how to link PAN with Aadhaar.

What documents do children and other dependent applicants need?

A child under 18 applies through a representative assessee, usually a parent or guardian. The representative fills Part E of Form 93 and signs. You need:

The same representative route applies to a person who is mentally ill or of unsound mind. Their own photos and date-of-birth proof are still needed. For the full process, see PAN card for minors.

What are the rules for photo, signature and document copies?

Photographs

• Two recent colour photos, 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm, with a white background.
• Some Protean pages still show other sizes. For a paper form, use the size printed on the form; online, follow the upload screen.
• Paste them in the boxes on the form. Don't staple, pin or clip them.
• Children and people applying through a representative also need photos.

Signature or thumb impression

• Sign, or give your left thumb impression, across the left-side photo, so part falls on the photo and part on the form.
• Keep the right-side photo clean. Form 93 says it must be clear and without any mark.
• Sign inside the signature box on the last page. Don't add a date, rank or designation next to it.
• A thumb impression must be attested by a Magistrate, Notary Public, Oath Commissioner or Gazetted Officer, with their official seal and stamp.

Copies, originals and attestation

• Most proofs are given as copies. Four are originals: the MP/MLA/Councillor/Gazetted Officer certificates, the bank certificate, the employer certificate and the Magistrate affidavit.
• The current official form and FAQs we checked don't set a self-attestation rule for copies. Some centres ask you to sign each copy. Follow what the centre or portal asks.
• Every proof must be in your own name, and the name must match the form.

How do you prepare and submit your PAN documents?

Get the documents right before you open the form. The full application is explained in how to apply for a new PAN card.

1. Pick your document list

   Use the finder above. Adults with Aadhaar need Aadhaar plus one date-of-birth proof. Children and NRIs have extra items.

2. Get a date-of-birth proof that isn't Aadhaar

   Pick one from the DOB table. For a child born on or after 1 October 2023, it must be the birth certificate.

   You'll know it worked when you hold a document that is on the list and shows the same date of birth you will enter.

   If you have none: apply for a birth certificate from your municipal office, or get an affidavit sworn before a Magistrate.

3. Match names and dates across documents

   Compare your Aadhaar name with your other proofs; our name checker can help. Use the full name, with no initials or titles like Mr or Dr. Married women give their father's name in the father's name field, not the husband's.

   If the names differ: correct the document first (for Aadhaar, see fixing a name or DOB mismatch), or use a different proof that matches. Protean asks that every proof shows the name exactly as on the form; a mismatch can lead to rejection.

4. Choose paperless or physical submission

   Paperless: Aadhaar e-KYC with e-Sign, or e-Sign/DSC with scanned documents. Nothing is posted. You still give a separate date-of-birth proof; the portal shows how. Physical: fill online or on paper, then send the signed form and copies. For the separate Aadhaar-based e-PAN route, see Instant e-PAN.

5. Pay and save the acknowledgement

   Fees are ₹107 with a card in India (₹101 paperless) or ₹72 for e-PAN only (₹66 paperless). Digital applications add a ₹5.90 e-Sign charge. See all PAN fees and charges.

   You'll know it worked when you get an acknowledgement with a 15-digit number (Protean) by email.

6. Post the papers in time (physical mode only)

   Send the signed acknowledgement with photos and copies of your identity, address and date-of-birth proofs, plus the Aadhaar copy. Protean's address is printed on the acknowledgement. Write "APPLICATION FOR PAN – N-[15-digit acknowledgement number]" on the envelope.

   Papers must reach Protean within 15 days of applying online. Late papers can delay or stop the application.

Which documents do you need to correct a PAN?

Individuals use Form CR-01. It asks for a copy of your PAN, proof of identity, address and date of birth, and documentary proof of the change. The same date-of-birth rules apply, so Aadhaar won't prove a new date of birth. For each type of change, see PAN correction and update.

Which document problems cause rejection, and how do you fix them?

Bottom line

Keep three proofs ready: identity, address and date of birth. Aadhaar covers the first two, but you need a separate date-of-birth proof, and a birth certificate for children born on or after 1 October 2023. Match names on every document before you pay. For help, call Protean on 020-27218080 or UTIITSL on 033-40802999.