Quick Answer: To get a new voter ID card, file Form 6 online on the Election Commission of India's Voters' Service Portal (voters.eci.gov.in). You can apply if you're an Indian citizen who is 18 or older on the qualifying date. Registration is free, and you'll get an EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) after a Booth Level Officer verifies your details.
After going through the registration process of being a first-time voter using Form 6 (the registration form of the Election Commission of India (ECI)), you will receive a new voter ID card. You can apply for your voter ID card using the Voters' Service Portal of the ECI, where you will need to upload your photograph along with your proof of age and proof of address. Otherwise, you can apply for a new voter card with guided help.
Overview: New Voter ID Registration at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Service | New voter registration (first-time voter) |
| Form | Form 6 |
| Authority | Election Commission of India (ECI) |
| Portal | voters.eci.gov.in (Voters' Service Portal) |
| Eligibility | Indian citizen, 18+ on the qualifying date |
| Fee | Free |
| Processing time | About 15 to 30 days after verification |
Who Can Apply for a New Voter ID Card?
For eligibility to apply, you need to be an Indian citizen above the age of eighteen years as on the eligibility date and living in the same electoral district where you reside. Your age is the primary important factor and therefore, it will be necessary to know the meaning of the eligibility date.
What Are the Qualifying Dates for Registration?
Four specified dates in a year are recognized for voting purposes: January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. To qualify applicants must be at least eighteen years of age on one of those dates to be eligible for registration, so applicants can make applications well in advance. For instance, if an applicant turns eighteen years of age in August, he or she can apply in advance to be registered by October 1. An applicant cannot already be registered on another voter's list.
What Documents Do You Need for Form 6?
It would be good to carry at least one age proof, one address proof, and one latest passport-sized photo. You must also have your Aadhaar card handy, as it has become extremely important in making the registration now.
| Document type | Accepted proof (any one) |
|---|---|
| Age / date of birth | Birth certificate, Class 10 marksheet, PAN card, passport, driving licence, or Aadhaar |
| Address (ordinary residence) | Self-attested proof in your, a parent's, or a spouse's name (utility bill, rent agreement, bank passbook) |
| Photograph | Recent passport-size colour photo, white background |
What If You Cannot Prove Your Age?
For first-time applicants who cannot prove their age with documentation, the declaration of parents in the format prescribed by the government must be accepted. Proof of residence does not have to be limited to documentation giving proof of ownership of the residence seized.
How Do You Apply Online with Form 6?
You can complete the process of submitting Form 6 online on Voter's Service Portal in just a few minutes. Here are the instructions on how to do it using your mobile phone.
- Go to the ECI Voters' Service Portal and sign up with your mobile number, then log in with the OTP.
- On the dashboard, choose "New registration for general electors (Form 6)".
- Select your state, district and assembly constituency.
- Enter your personal details, date of birth and current address exactly as they appear on your proofs.
- Upload your age proof, address proof and passport-size photo. You can check the field-wise requirements in the official Form 6 format before you start.
- Review everything, submit, and note the reference number shown on screen.
Can You Apply Through the Voter Helpline App?
In fact, the Voter Helpline application serves as a mobile platform to apply for registration. Simply download the Voter Helpline app, go to the appropriate section, select "Voter Registration", and then choose "New Voter Registration (Form 6)". Finally, fill in the same details required in the online application.
What Happens After You Submit Form 6?
After submitting the forms, your application is subject to verification by the Booth Level Officer (BLO).
How Do You Track Verification Progress?
Tracking can be performed using reference number sent through SMS and email. The status can be checked on web-portal or on the app. The status will move from "submitted" to "under verification" to "accepted" once BLO verifies. In case of doubts, BLO can visit your place or may request for documents again. Hence, it is advisable to respond at the earliest.
When Do You Get Your Voter ID Card?
Typically, the whole process would be completed within a time frame of 15 to 30 days after submission. However, the amount of time taken for the completion of this process mainly occurs because of the verification process. The adding of one's name in the electoral roll leads to generation of the EPIC or the Electoral Photo Identity Card.
Can You Get the Card Without Waiting for Post?
The physical Voter ID card will be printed and sent to your registered address. However, you do not have to wait for it because you can download e-EPIC, the digital version of the card, free from the ECI portal a few days after gaining approval.
