“How to Report Death of a Family Member for Aadhaar Deactivation of Deceased? Learn the step-by-step process on the myAadhaar Portal, why deactivation is important, how to check status, and what to do if Aadhaar is deactivated by mistake.”
The Aadhaar card is a crucial identity document in India, linking citizens to essential services like banking, insurance, subsidies, and taxation. But after the death of an Aadhaar holder, keeping the number active may open the door to fraud and misuse.
To tackle this, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) now allows families to report the death of a loved one online via the myAadhaar Portal, ensuring timely deactivation of Aadhaar. This prevents identity theft, fraudulent withdrawals, and illegal benefit claims.
Why Aadhaar Deactivation After Death is Necessary
Aadhaar is a permanent identity number that is never reassigned to another person. However, if the Aadhaar of a deceased person remains active, it can be misused for:
- Illegal withdrawals of pensions and subsidies
- Unauthorized KYC verifications in banks or telecom services
- Fraudulent claims on insurance or mutual funds
- Creation of fake identities to commit financial crimes
Deactivating Aadhaar after death not only preserves the integrity of UIDAI’s database but also safeguards the dignity, finances, and legal affairs of the deceased.
Case Example: In several fraud cases reported in 2023–24, scammers used active Aadhaar numbers of deceased pensioners to continue receiving government benefits.
How Aadhaar is Deactivated After a Person’s Demise
Death Certificate Without Aadhaar Mentioned
If the death certificate does not carry the Aadhaar number, a family member needs to raise an online request through the myAadhaar portal. For this, the deceased individual’s Aadhaar number and the official death registration number are required. Once the request is submitted, UIDAI cross-checks the details with the Registrar General of India (RGI). After successful verification, the Aadhaar linked to the deceased is deactivated.
Death Certificate With Aadhaar Mentioned
When the Aadhaar number is already mentioned on the death certificate registered under the Civil Registration System (CRS), the deactivation process is almost automatic. UIDAI receives the data from the RGI directly, leading to quicker deactivation. However, if a family member still reports it via the portal, it acts as an extra confirmation, ensuring the process is completed without any delays.
UIDAI’s Initiative: Reporting of Death of a Family Member
In June 2025, UIDAI launched a new service called “Reporting of Death of a Family Member” on the myAadhaar Portal. This facility is currently active in 24 States and Union Territories that are integrated with the Civil Registration System (CRS). Gradually, all states will be covered.
Key Features of the Service
- Simple Online Process – Relatives can report the death without visiting an office.
- Mandatory Death Certificate – A valid death certificate issued by municipal or local authorities is required.
- Self-Authentication – The reporting family member must log in with their Aadhaar and verify via OTP/biometric.
- Cross-Verification with CRS – UIDAI validates details with the Registrar General of India before deactivation.
- Secure & Transparent – Prevents unauthorized requests and ensures data integrity.
How to Report Death for Aadhaar Deactivation
If you need to deactivate the Aadhaar of a deceased family member, follow these steps:
- Obtain the Death Certificate from the local municipal authority or registrar office.
- Visit the official website: myAadhaar Portal.
- Select the option “Report Death of a Family Member.”
- Login with Your Aadhaar – Enter your Aadhaar number, captcha, and authenticate via OTP.
- Enter Deceased Person’s Details, including:
-
Aadhaar Number of the deceased
-
Death Registration Number
-
Demographic details (Name, Date of Birth, etc.)
-
- Authenticate & Submit the request for verification.
- UIDAI will validate the information and deactivate Aadhaar within 90 days (in most cases).
How to Confirm Aadhaar Deactivation Status
Online Method
- Go to the myAadhaar portal.
- Click on “Check Deceased Aadhaar Deactivation Status.”
- Enter the reference number (provided during reporting) and captcha.
- If Aadhaar is inactive, the status will read “Deactivated due to death.”
Offline Method
Visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) or enrollment center with valid ID proof. Officials can verify the Aadhaar status of the deceased.
Aadhaar Helpline for Deactivation Support
If you face issues while reporting the death of a family member for Aadhaar deactivation, you can contact the UIDAI Aadhaar Helpline for quick support. The helpline offers guidance on the process, required documents, and resolving technical errors.
Important Helpline Details:
- Toll-Free Number: 1947 (Available 24×7)
- Email Support: help@uidai.gov.in
- Official Website: uidai.gov.in
Online vs. Offline Aadhaar Deactivation
| Method | Steps | Timeline | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online (myAadhaar Portal) | Log in with Aadhaar → Enter deceased details → Submit | 30–90 days | Quick, convenient, no office visit | Requires internet & Aadhaar-linked mobile |
| Offline (Aadhaar Seva Kendra) | Visit ASK → Submit death certificate & Aadhaar details → Request deactivation | 30–120 days | Works without internet | Involves physical visit & longer timeline |
Filing Income Tax Returns After Aadhaar Deactivation
Legal heirs can still file Income Tax Returns (ITR) on behalf of the deceased, even if Aadhaar is deactivated. The PAN number of the deceased is sufficient for this purpose. However, for financial processes like insurance claims, bank account closure, or mutual fund settlements, Aadhaar may sometimes be required temporarily.
UIDAI’s Broader Strategy to Prevent Aadhaar Misuse
UIDAI is working on multiple fronts to secure Aadhaar after death:
- Integration with CRS – Automatic deactivation when death certificate carries Aadhaar details.
- Data Verification Drives – Deactivation of Aadhaar numbers of individuals aged 100+ through state collaborations.
- Banking Collaboration – Exploring partnerships with banks and insurers to cross-verify death records.
- Lock/Unlock Feature – Families can temporarily lock Aadhaar using Virtual ID (VID) until final deactivation.
Future of Aadhaar Deactivation in India
UIDAI plans to make Aadhaar deactivation fully automatic by linking it directly with death registrations across all States/UTs. This means once a death certificate is issued with Aadhaar details, deactivation will happen instantly — reducing fraud risks even further.
Why Families Should Act Quickly
While UIDAI’s system is gradually becoming automatic, manual reporting by families speeds up the process and ensures protection. Prompt reporting helps:
- Prevent fraudulent transactions
- Protect family finances
- Avoid identity theft issues in legal cases
- Close bank and investment accounts smoothly
Conclusion
UIDAI’s “Report Death of a Family Member” service is a vital step in preventing identity fraud and misuse of Aadhaar after death. Families should treat this as a standard part of post-death formalities, just like obtaining a death certificate or closing financial accounts.
By deactivating the Aadhaar of the deceased in a timely manner, you not only protect their dignity but also strengthen India’s digital identity ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I deactivate a deceased person’s Aadhaar?
A: You can report it online through the myAadhaar portal or visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
2. Is Aadhaar deactivation mandatory after death?
A: Yes, it is strongly recommended to prevent misuse of identity and financial fraud.
3. How long does deactivation take?
A: UIDAI usually processes requests within 90 days after verification.
4. Can legal heirs file ITR if Aadhaar is deactivated?
A: Yes, PAN of the deceased is sufficient for filing ITR on their behalf.
