Full guide
Register as a Voter and Get a Voter ID (EPIC): the complete guide
Your vote counts only if your name is on the electoral roll for the place where you live. This guide is for first-time voters turning 18, and for people who are already registered but have moved home and need their entry shifted. Both can be done online, free of charge.
Who needs this
First-time voters use Form 6. You must be an Indian citizen, at least 18 years old on a qualifying date, and ordinarily resident at the address you give. There are four qualifying dates each year: 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October. If you are 17 and will turn 18 on one of these dates, you can apply in advance and your name is added once you become eligible.
People who have moved use Form 8 and choose the shifting option. Since 2022 the same Form 8 covers moving within your constituency and moving to a different one, so there is no separate form for a short move. Form 8 is also used to correct details such as name spelling or photo, or to replace a lost card.
Do not file a fresh Form 6 if you are already registered somewhere. Being enrolled in two places is an offence, so shift your existing entry instead.
Indians living abroad who hold an Indian passport use a different form, Form 6A, and are not covered here.
Documents explained
Photo. A recent passport-size colour photo with a plain background. The online form accepts a small JPEG.
Proof of age (Form 6 only). A birth certificate, Class 10 or 12 certificate showing date of birth, passport, PAN, driving licence or Aadhaar.
Proof of address. Aadhaar, passport, bank or post office passbook, a water, electricity or gas bill for the address, a registered rent agreement, or a registered sale deed. Students living in hostels can usually use a declaration from the institution; check with your local electoral office.
Aadhaar number. The form has a field for it, but filling it is voluntary. Your application cannot be rejected only because you left it blank.
Declarations. Following the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in many states, the online Form 6 now includes a declaration asking about your parents’ enrolment in the last revision. People shifting from another state may also need to submit a declaration. Read the form carefully and answer truthfully.
Step-by-step process
- Search the roll first. Visit the Voters’ Service Portal and search for your name. If you find an old entry, use Form 8 instead of Form 6.
- Create an account. Sign up with your mobile number on the portal or the ECINET app, which brought together the older Voter Helpline App and other election apps.
- Fill the right form. Choose Form 6 for new registration or Form 8 for shifting. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your documents.
- Upload documents. Add the photo and proofs, then submit. Save the reference number shown on screen and sent by SMS.
- Offline option. If you prefer paper, collect the form from your Booth Level Officer (BLO) or the Electoral Registration Officer’s office, attach self-attested copies and a photo, and get an acknowledgement when you hand it in.
- Field verification. A BLO may visit to confirm you live at the address. Keep originals ready.
- Track and download. Track progress with your reference number. Once accepted, download the e-EPIC, a digital voter ID you can use at the polling station.
Fees and timelines
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| New registration (Form 6) | Free |
| Shifting or correction (Form 8) | Free |
| e-EPIC download | Free |
There is no fee at any stage. Processing usually takes three to six weeks, although it can take longer close to an election or during a roll revision, when applications are heavy. Applications filed after an election is announced may be held until after polling, so register early. The printed EPIC card is posted to your address once your name is added.
Common problems and fixes
Application rejected for address. The BLO may not have found you at home, or your proof did not match. Reapply with a clear proof and stay in touch with your BLO.
Name already on the roll elsewhere. Use Form 8 to shift the old entry. If you want to remove a duplicate entry, Form 7 handles deletions.
Mobile number not linked to EPIC. You can still apply; the e-EPIC download needs a mobile number registered with your EPIC, which can be added through Form 8.
Card not received. Download the e-EPIC in the meantime, and contact your district election office or the voter helpline on 1950.
Frequently asked questions
Can I vote with just the e-EPIC?
Yes, the e-EPIC is accepted as identity at the polling station. What matters most is that your name is on the roll for that booth.
I turn 18 in the middle of the year. Do I wait for January?
No. With four qualifying dates in a year, you can apply in advance and be added after your next qualifying date.
I moved within the same city. Do I need a new voter ID?
No. Use Form 8 to shift your entry. Your EPIC number stays the same, and you can request a replacement card with the new address.
Is linking Aadhaar to my voter ID compulsory?
No. It is voluntary. If you wish to link it later, use Form 6B.