Your Voter ID card — officially called the Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC) — is both a legal right and a key identity document in India. If you have just turned 18 or have never registered as a voter, this guide walks you through the eligibility criteria, the application process online and offline, and the documents you will need.
Who is eligible for a Voter ID card?
To register as a voter and receive a Voter ID card, you must:
Be an Indian citizen — Only Indian nationals are eligible to register as voters.
Be 18 years of age or older — You qualify once you turn 18 on or before any of the four qualifying dates in a year — 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, or 1 October — not just the start of the calendar year.
Have a permanent residential address — You must be ordinarily resident at the address in the constituency where you are applying.
Turning 18 soon? You can pre-register — If you'll turn 18 by an upcoming qualifying date, you can submit your application in advance rather than waiting until you're already 18.
Method 1: Apply online via the Voter Services portal
The Election Commission of India's Voter Services portal (voters.eci.gov.in) allows online registration:
1
Visit voters.eci.gov.inGo to the official Election Commission portal and click 'Register as New Voter'.
2
Fill in Form 6Form 6 is the form for first-time voter registration. Enter your name, date of birth, address, and constituency details.
3
Upload your documentsUpload scanned copies of your proof of age and proof of address documents.
4
Upload a recent photographUpload a passport-size photograph with a white or light background.
5
Submit your applicationSubmit the form. You will receive a reference number to track the status of your registration.
Method 2: Apply offline at the Electoral Registration Office
You can also apply in person at your local Electoral Registration Office (ERO):
1
Collect Form 6Get the form from your local ERO or download it from eci.gov.in.
2
Fill in your detailsComplete the form with your full name, date of birth, address in the constituency, and details of any existing enrolment.
3
Attach documents and photographAttach self-attested photocopies of your proof of age and address, along with a passport-size photograph.
4
Submit to the ERO or BLOSubmit the completed form at the Electoral Registration Office or hand it to the Booth Level Officer (BLO) in your area.
Documents required for Voter ID registration
You will typically need the following:
Proof of age — Birth certificate, 10th standard marksheet, passport, Aadhaar card, or PAN card.
Proof of address — Aadhaar card, ration card, bank passbook, utility bill, or a letter from a recognised authority.
Passport-size photograph — A recent photograph with a white or light background.
What happens after you apply?
After you submit Form 6, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) assigned to your area will visit your address to verify your details. This field verification is typically completed within a few weeks.
Once your application is approved, your name is added to the electoral roll. You don't have to wait for the physical card to arrive by post — you can download a free digital e-EPIC (a legally valid, password-protected PDF) immediately from voters.eci.gov.in or the Voter Helpline app, and the physical card will still follow by post.
How long does it take to get a Voter ID card?
The process typically takes 30 to 45 days from the date of application. Timelines can be shorter during election seasons when EROs process applications more rapidly.
You can track your application status online using your reference number on the Voter Services portal.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You're eligible once you turn 18 on or before any of the four qualifying dates in a year — 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, or 1 October. If you'll turn 18 by an upcoming qualifying date, you can even pre-register in advance.
Form 6 is the official application form for first-time voter registration with the Election Commission of India. It is used to enrol your name on the electoral roll of the constituency where you reside.
You can track the status of your application using your reference number on the Voter Services portal (voters.eci.gov.in) or by calling the Voter Helpline at 1950.
If you moved within the same constituency, update your address using Form 8A. If you moved to a different constituency, submit a fresh Form 6 for your new address — your old registration is now automatically removed from the previous electoral roll once the new one is processed, so you no longer need to file a separate cancellation form.
Yes. Once your registration is approved, you can download a free e-EPIC — a password-protected PDF of your Voter ID, valid for official use nationwide — from voters.eci.gov.in or the Voter Helpline app. The password is your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format. The physical card still arrives by post separately.
Need help with your Voter ID application?
A verified specialist on Krakens will fill out the correct form, prepare your documents, and submit your application to the Electoral Registration Office.
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