About Voter ID Card (EPIC Card)

The Voter ID Card, officially known as the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), is issued by the Election Commission of India. It serves as:

• Primary proof of identity for voting in elections
• Valid identity document for various government and private services
• Age and address proof
• Essential document for exercising democratic rights

Every Indian citizen aged 18 years and above is eligible to register as a voter and obtain an EPIC card.

Key Voter ID Services

• New Voter Registration (Form 6): First-time voter enrollment
• Correction in Details (Form 8): Update name, address, photo, or other details
• Download e-EPIC: Digital voter card in PDF format
• Search Voter ID: Find your EPIC number and details in electoral roll
• Track Application Status: Check status of new registration or correction
• Deletion from Roll (Form 7): Remove name if shifted or duplicate entry
• Objection to Name (Form 7A): Object to incorrect entries
• Transposition (Form 8A): Shift within same constituency
• Overseas Elector Registration: For NRIs

Eligibility for Voter ID

To apply for Voter ID card, you must meet these criteria:

• Age: Must be 18 years or above (or turning 18 on or before January 1st of registration year)
• Citizenship: Must be an Indian citizen
• Residence: Must be an ordinary resident of the constituency where applying
• Sound Mind: Must be of sound mind (not disqualified under any law)
• No Criminal Disqualification: Should not be disqualified due to corrupt practices or criminal convictions

Note: There is no upper age limit. Even if you are 100 years old, you can apply for voter ID.

Documents Required for Voter ID

For New Registration (Form 6):

• Age Proof (any one):
  • Birth Certificate
  • School Certificate (Class 10th marksheet)
  • PAN Card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • Driving License
• Address Proof (any one):
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • Bank Passbook/Statement
  • Electricity/Water/Telephone Bill
  • Rent Agreement
  • Property Documents
  • Ration Card
• Recent Passport-size Photograph

For Correction (Form 8):

• Existing Voter ID Card
• Supporting documents for the correction required
• New photograph (if updating photo)

How to Apply for New Voter ID Card (Form 6)

Method 1: Online Application via VOTERS' SERVICE PORTAL (Recommended)

1. Visit VOTERS' SERVICE PORTAL: VOTERS' SERVICE PORTAL
2. Click on "New Voter Registration" or "Form 6"
3. Fill the application form with:
   • Personal details (Name, Father's/Mother's name, DOB, Gender)
   • Current address
   • Contact details (Mobile, Email)
4. Upload documents:
   • Age proof (PDF/JPEG, max 2MB)
   • Address proof (PDF/JPEG, max 2MB)
   • Recent photograph (JPEG, max 50KB)
5. Select your Assembly Constituency (AC) and Part Number
6. Verify mobile number with OTP
7. Submit the form
8. Note the Reference ID for tracking
9. Print the acknowledgment receipt

Method 2: Aadhaar-based e-KYC Registration

1. Visit ECI portal
2. Select "Registration through Aadhaar"
3. Enter 12-digit Aadhaar number
4. Verify via OTP on Aadhaar-registered mobile
5. Details will be auto-filled from Aadhaar database
6. Upload photograph
7. Submit application

Benefit: Faster processing with minimal document upload required.

Method 3: Offline Application

1. Download Form 6 from ECI website
2. Fill the form manually with all details
3. Attach photocopies of age and address proof
4. Attach two passport-size photographs
5. Submit at:
   • Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) office
   • Booth Level Officer (BLO) in your area
   • Designated collection centers
6. Collect acknowledgment receipt

Method 4: Through Voter Helpline App

1. Download "Voter Helpline" app from Google Play Store / iOS
2. Register with mobile number
3. Click on "Apply for New Voter ID"
4. Fill Form 6 in the app
5. Upload documents and photo
6. Submit application

Processing Time

After successful submission:

• Booth Level Officer (BLO) will visit your address for verification
• Be present at home during verification
• After verification, your name will be added to electoral roll
• EPIC card will be delivered to your address within 30-45 days
• You can track status online using reference ID

How to Search/Find Your Voter ID Number

If you have voter ID but forgot the EPIC number, or want to check if your name is in electoral roll:

Method 1: Search by Details

1. Visit Electoral Search Portal
2. Enter search details:
   • Name
   • Father's/Mother's name
   • State
   • District
   • Assembly Constituency
   • Age/DOB (optional)
3. Enter captcha and click "Search"
4. Your details will be displayed with EPIC number
5. Download electoral roll PDF to see complete entry

Method 2: Search by EPIC Number

1. Visit Electoral Search Portal
2. Select "Search by EPIC No."
3. Enter your EPIC number
4. Select State
5. View your complete voter details

Method 3: Through Voter Helpline App

1. Open Voter Helpline app
2. Click on "Search Your Name in Electoral Roll"
3. Enter name and other details
4. View your EPIC number and polling booth details

How to Download e-EPIC (Digital Voter Card)

e-EPIC is a digital version of your voter card, equally valid as the physical card for all purposes including voting.

Method 1: Via NVSP Portal

1. Visit ECI Portal
2. Click on "Download e-EPIC"
3. Enter your EPIC number (or search by name)
4. Enter Date of Birth
5. Enter Captcha
6. Click "Search"
7. If details match, download option will appear
8. Click "Download e-EPIC" button
9. PDF will be downloaded (password-protected)
10. Password format: Your Date of Birth in DDMMYYYY format (e.g., 15011990)

Method 2: Via Voter Helpline App

1. Open Voter Helpline app
2. Go to "Download e-EPIC" section
3. Enter EPIC number and DOB
4. Download PDF card
5. Save in phone for easy access

Features of e-EPIC:

• Digitally signed by Electoral Registration Officer
• Has secure QR code for verification
• Can be printed or shown digitally
• Accepted at polling booths
• Valid as identity proof
• No charges for download

How to Make Corrections in Voter ID (Form 8)

If there are errors in your voter card details, you can request corrections:

What Can Be Corrected:

• Name spelling errors
• Father's/Mother's/Spouse name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Address within same constituency
• Photograph
• Mobile number and email

Online Correction Process:

1. Visit NVSP Portal
2. Click on "Correction in Voter Details" or "Form 8"
3. Enter your EPIC number
4. Select the field(s) you want to correct
5. Enter correct information
6. Upload supporting documents for the correction:
   • For name change: Gazette notification, Marriage certificate
   • For address: Latest address proof
   • For photo: New photograph
   • For DOB: Birth certificate, School certificate
7. Verify mobile number with OTP
8. Submit the form
9. Note the Reference ID

Offline Correction:

1. Download Form 8 from ECI website
2. Fill the form with corrections needed
3. Attach supporting documents and photograph
4. Submit to ERO office or BLO

Processing:

• BLO will verify the corrections
• Updated details will be reflected in electoral roll
• New EPIC card with corrections will be issued
• Process takes 30-45 days

Change of Address (Shifting to New Constituency)

If Moving Within Same Constituency (Form 8A):

1. Apply for transposition using Form 8A
2. Visit NVSP portal and select Form 8A
3. Enter new address within same AC
4. Upload address proof
5. Your entry will be shifted to new part number

If Moving to Different Constituency:

1. Step 1: Apply for deletion from old constituency:
   • Use Form 7 on NVSP portal
   • Mention reason as "Shifted to different AC"
   • Provide new address details
2. Step 2: Apply for fresh registration at new address:
   • Use Form 6 at new location
   • Mention your old EPIC number
   • New card will be issued for new constituency

How to Track Voter ID Application Status

Method 1: Via ECI Portal

1. Visit ECI Portal
2. Click on "Track Application Status"
3. Enter Reference ID (received after application)
4. Enter Captcha
5. Click "Track Status"
6. View current status:
   • Application received
   • Under verification
   • Verification pending
   • Approved
   • Rejected (with reason)
   • Card printed
   • Dispatched

Method 2: Via Voter Helpline App

1. Open app and go to "Track Application Status"
2. Enter Reference ID
3. View real-time status updates

Method 3: Contact BLO/ERO

If online tracking shows no update for long time, contact your Booth Level Officer or Electoral Registration Officer with your reference ID.

Special Provisions

For Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

• Special forms available for PwD electors
• Can apply for home verification if unable to visit BLO
• Special symbols on EPIC card to indicate disability
• Wheelchair-accessible polling booths information available

For Senior Citizens (80+ years)

• Facility for postal ballot
• Home verification available
• Priority assistance at polling booths

For Overseas Electors (NRIs)

• Can register as overseas elector
• Use Form 6A for registration
• Need to provide:
  • Indian passport copy
  • Address proof in India
  • Declaration of not holding voter ID in other constituency
• Can vote in person (no postal/proxy voting)

For Service Voters (Armed Forces, Police)

• Special Form 2 for registration
• Can be registered at place of posting or native place
• Postal ballot facility available

Important Points to Remember

• No Charges: Voter ID registration and card issuance is completely FREE
• One Person, One Vote: You can be registered in only one constituency
• Continuous Updation: Electoral rolls are updated continuously throughout the year
• Summary Revision: Major revision happens annually (usually Nov-Jan)
• Verification Visit: BLO may visit your address - be available
• Update Regularly: Update your details whenever you change address
• Check Before Elections: Verify your name in electoral roll before every election
• EPIC Not Mandatory for Voting: EPIC card is not mandatory to vote. You can use other approved documents like Aadhaar, Passport, Driving License, Bank Passbook with photo, etc.

Helplines & Contact Information

• National Voter Helpline: 1950 (Toll-free, 24x7)
• SMS: Send EPIC<SPACE><EPIC_NUMBER> to 166 or 51969
•  ECI Website: eci.gov.in
•  Electoral Search: electoralsearch.eci.gov.in
• Email: complaints@eci.gov.in
• Mobile App: Voter Helpline (Android & iOS)

State-wise Helplines:

Each state has its own Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office. For state-specific queries, contact your State CEO office through the ECI website.

Quick Access - Official Links

• Apply New Voter ID: Form 6 Application
• Voter ID Correction: Form 8 Application
• Search Electoral Roll: Electoral Search
• Download e-EPIC: e-EPIC Download
• Track Application: Status Tracking
• Find Your BLO: BLO Details
• Voter Helpline App: Google Play | Apple App Store
• Election Commission: eci.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the minimum age to get a Voter ID?

You must be 18 years of age or above. If you turn 18 on or before January 1st of the year, you can apply for voter ID.

Q2: Is Voter ID mandatory for voting?

EPIC card is not mandatory. You can vote using other approved documents like Aadhaar, Passport, Driving License, Bank Passbook with photo, Service ID card, etc.

Q3: How long does it take to get a Voter ID?

Typically 30-45 days after verification. During election periods, it may take longer.

Q4: Can I have voter ID from two different states?

No, you can be registered as a voter in only one constituency at a time. Having multiple registrations is illegal.

Q5: What if I lost my Voter ID card?

You can download e-EPIC from NVSP portal or apply for a duplicate card. No need to apply fresh - just request reprint through Form 8 or contact your ERO.

Q6: Can NRIs vote in Indian elections?

Yes, NRIs can register as overseas electors and vote in person at their registered constituency. Proxy or postal voting is not allowed for NRIs (except service voters).

Q7: Is there any fee for Voter ID?

No, all voter registration services are completely free. Beware of agents charging money.

Q8: Can I change my address online?

Yes, if shifting within same constituency, use Form 8A. If shifting to different constituency, delete from old (Form 7) and apply fresh at new location (Form 6).