--- title: Voter ID Registration (Form 6) in India country: india service: "voter-id-form-6" category: identification difficulty: moderate estimated_time: "Up to 30 days end-to-end" cost_range: INR 0 last_verified: 2026-05-12 canonical: https://publicservices.guide/india/voter-id-form-6/ status: current confidence: low tags: - "voter-id" - "electoral-roll" - EPIC - "first-time-voter" - citizenship sources: - https://www.eci.gov.in/ - https://voters.eci.gov.in/ - https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1663 - https://www.ceodelhi.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/Forms/FORM6.pdf - https://www.india.gov.in/ --- # Voter ID Registration (Form 6) in India **Country:** 🇮🇳 India **Last verified:** 2026-05-12 **Estimated time:** Up to 30 days end-to-end **Cost:** INR 0 ## Required documents - **Passport-sized colour photograph** *(passport-sized photograph)* - Required: One recent colour photograph (Applicant) - Cost: Operator-set; typically a few rupees at a local photo studio - _Note:_ Uploaded on the Voters' Services Portal or stapled to the paper form. - **Proof of ordinary residence (one document)** *(address proof)* - Where to get: Existing utility, bank, postal, revenue, or government records - Required: Self-attested copy of any one accepted document - _Note:_ Accepted: latest water, electricity, gas, or telephone bill in the applicant's name; bank, Kisan, or Post Office passbook; Indian passport; registered rent lease deed (tenants) or registered sale deed (owners); ration card; driving licence; income tax return or assessment order; Revenue Department land records including Kisan Bahi; or any post or mail delivered by India Post in the applicant's name at the declared address. Document in the name of a parent, spouse, or adult child living at the same address is also accepted. Homeless applicants do not need a document — the Booth Level Officer verifies night residence at the declared place. - **Proof of age (only if under 21 on the qualifying date)** *(age proof)* - Required for: Applicants below 21 years on 1 January of the roll-revision year - Required: Self-attested copy of any one accepted document - _Note:_ Accepted: birth certificate issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969; school leaving or transfer certificate showing date of birth; Class X (or higher) mark sheet showing date of birth; Indian passport; PAN card (see PAN card guide); driving licence; or Aadhaar letter or card (see Aadhaar update guide) — Aadhaar is accepted but not mandatory. From 21 years onwards, the declaration of age on Form 6 itself suffices. ## Costs - **Form 6 filing (online portal, mobile app, paper at ERO, or via BLO):** 0 INR — Filing is free under the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The Election Commission of India confirms: Form 6 is available free of cost in offices of Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, and Booth Level Officers. - **Physical EPIC issuance and Speed Post despatch:** 0 INR — The Election Commission of India issues the EPIC free of cost and despatches it by India Post Speed Post; no charge to the applicant. - **e-EPIC download from the Voters' Services Portal:** 0 INR — Free download once the EPIC number is generated; only mobile-data charges apply. ## Steps ### 1. Confirm eligibility and constituency of ordinary residence - (Applicant) Confirm Indian citizenship, age 18 or above on 1 January of the year in which the electoral roll is prepared or revised, and ordinary residence at the address you will declare. - (Applicant) Confirm that you are not already on the electoral roll of any other constituency and are not otherwise disqualified under Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. - (Applicant) Identify your Assembly Constituency from your residential address — the Voters' Services Portal derives this automatically from the PIN code. > **Tip:** Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 sets two cumulative conditions: not less than 18 years of age on the qualifying date, and ordinarily resident in the constituency. The qualifying date is defined in Section 14(b) as the first day of January of the year in which the roll is prepared or revised. ### 2. Gather supporting documents and a photograph - (Applicant) Obtain one recent passport-sized colour photograph. - (Applicant) Pick one residence-proof document from the accepted list. - (Applicant) If you are under 21 on the qualifying date, pick one age-proof document. From 21 onwards, the declaration of age on Form 6 itself is sufficient. - (Applicant) Self-attest the photocopies of all documents. ### 3. Choose a filing route and submit Form 6 - (Applicant) Online registration via voters.eci.gov.in: sign up with your mobile number, verify by OTP, select 'New registration for general electors' (Form 6), fill the form online, upload the photograph and documents, and note the reference number returned by the portal. - (Applicant) Voter Helpline mobile app: download the official Voter Helpline app (publisher: Election Commission of India), authenticate by mobile OTP, then choose 'Voter Registration' and 'New Voter Registration (Form 6)'. - (Applicant) In-person filing at the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer office: submit two copies of the printed Form 6 with self-attested supporting documents. Paper Form 6 is available free of cost at the ERO, AERO, and BLO. - (Applicant) Through your Booth Level Officer: during Special Summary Revision drives (typically October to December each year) and during continuous updation, the BLO collects Form 6 at door-to-door visits or polling-station camps. > **If this fails:** Filing Form 6 in two constituencies, or filing twice in the same constituency, is an offence under Sections 17 and 18 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. A false declaration on Form 6 is punishable under Section 31 with imprisonment for up to one year, a fine, or both. _Links:_ - [Voters' Services Portal — Election Commission of India](https://voters.eci.gov.in/) - [Election Commission of India — main portal](https://www.eci.gov.in/) ### 4. Decide whether to provide Aadhaar (voluntary) - (Applicant) The Aadhaar field on Form 6 is collected under Section 23(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 for the purpose of authentication of electoral-roll entries. - (Applicant) Providing Aadhaar (see Aadhaar update guide) is voluntary; non-submission cannot be the ground for rejecting Form 6. - (Applicant) If you choose not to provide Aadhaar, supply one of the alternative residence-proof documents listed in the documents section instead. > **Tip:** Section 23(6) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 expressly bars denial of inclusion in the electoral roll, and bars deletion from the roll, on the ground of failure to furnish Aadhaar. Where Aadhaar cannot be furnished, the elector is required to give one of the alternative documents listed in the Rules. ### 5. Booth Level Officer field verification - (BLO — Booth Level Officer) The Booth Level Officer assigned to your polling-station area visits the declared address, typically within about 15 days of submission. - (BLO) The BLO verifies that you ordinarily reside at the address, that the photograph on the form matches, and that the supporting documents match. - (BLO) For homeless applicants, the BLO conducts a night visit and verifies that the applicant actually sleeps at the declared place; documentary proof of residence is not required in that case. - (BLO) The BLO records the verification result and forwards the application to the Electoral Registration Officer. ### 6. Electoral Registration Officer scrutiny and decision - (ERO — Electoral Registration Officer) The ERO reviews the BLO's verification report and the application, publishes the application in the list of claims for the constituency, and considers any objections received during the statutory window. - (ERO) If satisfied, the ERO directs inclusion of the applicant's name on the electoral roll under Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. - (ERO) If the applicant was previously on another constituency's roll, the ERO of the new constituency informs the ERO of the previous constituency, who strikes off the prior entry. ### 7. EPIC generation and Speed Post despatch - (ECI) Once the name is added to the roll, ECI generates a 10-character alphanumeric EPIC number. - (ECI) The physical Elector's Photo Identity Card (laminated, with photograph) is printed and despatched by India Post Speed Post to the registered address, with ECI's fast-track target of within 15 days of approval. - (Applicant) Track application status at voters.eci.gov.in or via the Voter Helpline mobile app using the reference number issued at submission. Statuses progress through Submitted, Under BLO verification, Approved by ERO, EPIC generated, and EPIC dispatched. ### 8. Download e-EPIC - (Applicant) Once the EPIC number is generated, download the e-EPIC — a PDF copy of the EPIC — from voters.eci.gov.in using the EPIC number and mobile OTP. - (Applicant) The e-EPIC has the same legal validity as the physical card. - (Applicant) Need help? Call the Voter Helpline 1950 (toll-free within India) or use the Voter Helpline mobile app. _Links:_ - [Voters' Services Portal — e-EPIC download](https://voters.eci.gov.in/) ## FAQ ### Can OCI or PIO holders apply? No. The right to vote in Indian elections is reserved for Indian citizens. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) are not entitled to be registered as electors and cannot use Form 6 or Form 6A. This is set by Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which disqualifies non-citizens from registration. ### Is Aadhaar mandatory for Voter ID? No. Furnishing Aadhaar is voluntary under Section 23(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Section 23(6) of the Act expressly bars denial of inclusion in the electoral roll, and deletion from the roll, on the ground of failure to furnish Aadhaar. An applicant who does not wish to provide Aadhaar must supply one of the alternative residence-proof documents listed above; the application is processed on its merits. ### Is Form 6 free? Is the EPIC free? Yes to both. There is no government fee for filing Form 6 at any of the four routes (Voters' Services Portal, Voter Helpline app, in person at the Electoral Registration Officer office, or through the Booth Level Officer). The physical EPIC is issued and despatched by Speed Post without charge. e-EPIC download from the Voters' Services Portal is also free. ### How long does it take to get the EPIC after filing Form 6? Typically up to about 30 days end-to-end. The Booth Level Officer carries out field verification within about 15 days; the Electoral Registration Officer scrutinises the application and decides; the EPIC is then printed and despatched by India Post Speed Post. ECI's published fast-track service targets despatch within 15 days of approval. e-EPIC becomes available for download from the Voters' Services Portal shortly after the EPIC number is generated. ### I've moved to a different Assembly Constituency. Do I file Form 6 again? Yes. File Form 6 in the new constituency where you are now ordinarily resident. The Electoral Registration Officer of the new constituency notifies the Electoral Registration Officer of the previous constituency, who removes the prior entry under Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Do not separately file Form 7 in the previous constituency for this purpose. For a shift within the same Assembly Constituency, use Form 8 (transposition), not Form 6. ### I'm 17 — can I apply now to vote when I turn 18? Yes. ECI supports advance enrolment by 17-year-olds. File Form 6 with your actual date of birth in the date-of-birth field. The Electoral Registration Officer activates the entry on the qualifying date — the first day of January of the year in which the electoral roll is prepared or revised — provided that date falls on or after your 18th birthday (Section 14(b) and Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950). ### I lost my EPIC card, or my name is misspelled on it. Do I use Form 6? No. Form 6 is for first-time inclusion on the electoral roll or for inclusion after shifting to a new constituency. To replace a lost or damaged EPIC, or to correct details such as name, date of birth, address, or photograph on an existing EPIC, use Form 8. To remove an entry from the roll (for example, a deceased family member), use Form 7. e-EPIC download from the Voters' Services Portal is also available as an interim digital copy if you still have the EPIC number. ### I'm an Indian citizen living abroad. Can I use Form 6? No. Form 6 is for citizens ordinarily resident in India. An Indian citizen ordinarily resident outside India, who has not acquired the citizenship of any other country, uses Form 6A (overseas elector) instead — submitted to the Electoral Registration Officer of the constituency where the address in the passport falls, with passport copies. Form 6A is out of scope of this guide. ### Where can I get help or track my Form 6 status? Call the Voter Helpline 1950 (toll-free within India) or use the Voter Helpline mobile app from the Election Commission of India. Online tracking is also available at the Voters' Services Portal using the reference number issued at submission. Statuses progress through Submitted, Under BLO verification, Approved by ERO, EPIC generated, and EPIC dispatched. ## Local tips - Most state Chief Electoral Officer websites mirror Form 6 and post state-specific notices; use them for offline workflow, but online submission goes through voters.eci.gov.in. - The NVSP portal (nvsp.in) has been migrated; voter services now run on voters.eci.gov.in. Existing NVSP credentials continue to work; new sign-ups happen on the new portal. - During Special Summary Revision (typically October to December each year), the Booth Level Officer for your polling-station area runs door-to-door drives and on-site camps — a convenient route for first-time registration. ## Sources - [Election Commission of India](https://www.eci.gov.in/) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India. The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country. Address: Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110001. Voter Helpline Toll Free - 1950. The portal surfaces 'Register Now To Vote', 'Apply for Voter Card', 'Check Application Status', and the Service Voter Portal as quick-link services. - [Election Commission of India — Voters' Services Portal](https://voters.eci.gov.in/) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — The Voters' Services Portal is the Election Commission of India online surface for filing Form 6 (new registration), Form 7 (deletion), Form 8 (correction, replacement of EPIC, transposition within Assembly Constituency), and Form 6A (overseas electors). Applicants sign up with a mobile number, verify by OTP, fill the form online, upload the photograph and documents, and receive a reference number for tracking. e-EPIC PDF download is available from the same portal once the EPIC number is generated. - [Ministry of Law and Justice — India Code (Representation of the People Act, 1950)](https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1663) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — Section 14(b) defines 'qualifying date' as 'the first day of January of the year in which [the electoral roll] is so prepared or revised'. Section 16 disqualifies from registration any person who is not a citizen of India, any person of unsound mind so declared by a competent court, and any person disqualified from voting under any law relating to corrupt practices and other offences in connection with elections. Section 19 provides that every person who is not less than eighteen years of age on the qualifying date and is ordinarily resident in a constituency shall be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll for that constituency. Section 23 governs inclusion of names. Section 23(5) makes the furnishing of Aadhaar voluntary; Section 23(6) bars denial of inclusion and bars deletion from the roll on the ground of failure to furnish Aadhaar. Section 31 provides that a false declaration in connection with the preparation, revision, or correction of an electoral roll is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both. - [Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi](https://www.ceodelhi.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/Forms/FORM6.pdf) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — Form 6 hosted by the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, is the identical Form 6 issued by the Election Commission of India. The applicant declaration on Form 6 states: 'Strict action can be taken against persons making false declaration. Such persons are punishable u/s 31 of Representation of People Act, 1950 with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.' State Chief Electoral Officers are constitutionally co-equal federalised authorities responsible for the Election Commission of India's work within their state. - [National Portal of India](https://www.india.gov.in/) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — The National Portal of India identifies the Election Commission of India as the constitutional authority responsible for electoral processes, including the preparation and revision of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice-President. --- Verification pending — see the canonical page for the latest trust state. Canonical: https://publicservices.guide/india/voter-id-form-6/