Voter ID Apply Online: Form 6 and e-EPIC Download

A voter ID card (EPIC — Electors Photo Identity Card) lets you vote and is also a widely accepted ID. You can apply for it, correct it and download a digital copy entirely online, for free. This guide covers new registration with Form 6, corrections and address changes with Form 8, and downloading your e-EPIC.

Who can apply?

• You must be an Indian citizen.
• You must be 18 years old on a qualifying date. Since 2022 there are four qualifying dates a year: 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October. So you don't need to wait for the next January after your birthday.
• You can apply in advance from age 17. Your application is processed when you reach the qualifying date.
• You must be an ordinary resident of the constituency where you apply.

Documents you need

• A recent passport-size photo (to upload)
• Proof of age — birth certificate, Class 10 certificate, Aadhaar, PAN or passport
• Proof of address — Aadhaar, a bank passbook, a utility bill, a rent agreement or a passport
• Aadhaar number (optional but makes verification faster)

How to apply online with Form 6

1. Go to voters.eci.gov.in (or use the Voter Helpline app).

2. Sign up with your mobile number and log in with the OTP.

3. Choose New registration for general electors (Form 6).

4. Fill in your state, district and assembly constituency.

5. Enter your personal details, a family member's details (for reference), and your address.

6. Upload the photo and documents.

7. Submit. You'll get a reference number by SMS.

What happens after you apply

A Booth Level Officer (BLO) may visit your address to verify you live there. The Electoral Registration Officer then approves the application. You can track it on voters.eci.gov.in with your reference number. Approval usually takes a few weeks, longer just before elections.

Once approved, your EPIC number is generated and the physical card is sent by post. You can also download the e-EPIC.

How to download your e-EPIC

1. Log in to voters.eci.gov.in.

2. Choose E-EPIC download.

3. Enter your EPIC number or reference number and verify with the OTP on the mobile linked to your voter record.

4. Download the PDF.

The e-EPIC is a valid ID and has a secure QR code. If your mobile isn't linked, use Form 8 to update it first.

Correcting details or shifting your address: Form 8

Form 8 is used for:

• Shifting residence, within or outside your constituency
• Correcting entries — name, photo, age, relative's name, gender
• Replacing a lost or damaged EPIC
• Marking a person with disability

Choose the right option in Form 8, upload proof, and submit. You don't need to delete your old entry separately when shifting — Form 8 handles it.

Other forms you may need

• Form 6A — for overseas (NRI) electors
• Form 7 — to object to or delete a name, for example a family member who has died or moved
• Form 6B — to link your Aadhaar number with your voter record (voluntary)

How to check your name in the voter list

Use the Search in Electoral Roll option on voters.eci.gov.in. Search by EPIC number, by personal details, or by mobile number. Check this a few weeks before every election, since names are sometimes removed during roll revision.

Frequently asked questions

Is linking Aadhaar with voter ID compulsory?

No. Linking through Form 6B is voluntary.

How long does a new voter ID take?

Usually 2–4 weeks after verification, but it can take longer during roll revisions and before elections.

Can I vote with the e-EPIC instead of the card?

Yes. The e-EPIC is a valid photo ID at the polling booth, along with the other IDs the Election Commission allows.

I moved to another city for work — do I need to apply again?

No. Use Form 8 to shift your residence to the new constituency.

What is the voter helpline number?

Call 1950 (with your STD code, from some states) for help with registration and the voter list.

Home voting for senior citizens and voters with disabilities

Voters aged 85 and above, and voters with a benchmark disability of 40% or more, can choose to vote from home by postal ballot in many elections. After the election is announced, the BLO visits eligible voters with Form 12D. If you choose home voting, a polling team comes to your house on a set date to collect the vote secretly. Once you opt for it, you can't vote at the booth in that election.

Overseas Indians

Indian citizens living abroad who haven't taken another country's citizenship can register as overseas electors using Form 6A with their passport details. They vote in person at their home constituency's polling station, showing their original passport.

Keep your details correct

Check your entry every year during the special summary revision of electoral rolls, usually held towards the end of the year. Correcting a spelling or photo error then is much easier than on election day.