Quick answer: An individual applying for a PAN needs three proofs: proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth, plus an Aadhaar number, which must be quoted unless you are in an exempt category. An Aadhaar card covers identity and address; for date of birth, use a document such as your passport, driving licence, voter ID, Class 10 certificate or birth certificate. If you use the free Instant e-PAN service, Aadhaar and a date-of-birth document from DigiLocker are all you need.
The three proofs every individual needs
PAN applications made through Protean (formerly NSDL e-Gov) or UTIITSL need:
- Proof of identity (PoI): a document with your name and, for most, your photograph.
- Proof of address (PoA): a document showing the residential address you enter on the form.
- Proof of date of birth (PoDoB): a document showing your full date, month and year of birth.
Your name on each document should match the name on your application. From 1 April 2026, Indian citizens apply on Form 93 (individuals) or Form 94 (HUFs, companies, firms and other Indian applicants) under the Income-tax Rules, 2026. Form 93 says Aadhaar is mandatory except for exempt categories, and the name as per Aadhaar is printed on the card. Older guides refer to Form 49A, which is no longer accepted. If you are new to PAN, start with our explainer on what a PAN card is and who needs one.
Documents accepted for individuals (Form 93)
This table follows Protean’s current document list for Form 93. Submit copies of any one document for each proof; the same document can cover more than one proof where the table says “Yes”.
| Document | Identity | Address | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar card | Yes | Yes | No |
| Indian passport | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Driving licence | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voter ID (elector’s photo identity card) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transgender identity card or certificate with photograph | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ration card with your photograph | Yes | No | No |
| Photo ID card from the central or a state government or a public sector undertaking | Yes | No | Yes |
| Government pensioner card with photograph | Yes | No | No |
| CGHS card or ECHS photo card | Yes | No | Yes |
| Spouse’s Indian passport | No | Yes | No |
| Post office passbook showing your address | No | Yes | No |
| Domicile certificate | No | Yes | Yes |
| Government accommodation allotment letter (not more than three years old) | No | Yes | No |
| Property registration document or latest property tax assessment order | No | Yes | No |
| Electricity, water, landline or broadband bill, or gas connection card/book or piped gas bill (not more than three months old) | No | Yes | No |
| Bank, depository or credit card statement (not more than three months old) | No | Yes | No |
| Birth certificate from the municipal authority or registrar of births and deaths | No | No | Yes |
| Pension payment order | No | No | Yes |
| Marriage certificate from the Registrar of Marriages | No | No | Yes |
| Matriculation certificate or mark sheet of a recognised board | No | No | Yes |
If you have none of these, the following originals are accepted:
- Identity: a certificate of identity signed by an MP, MLA, municipal councillor or gazetted officer (in the prescribed format), or a bank certificate on the branch letterhead with your attested photograph and account number.
- Address: a certificate of address signed by an MP, MLA, municipal councillor or gazetted officer, or an employer certificate (in the prescribed formats).
- Date of birth: an original affidavit sworn before a magistrate stating your date of birth.
Points people often get wrong
- Aadhaar is not listed as date-of-birth proof in Protean’s Form 93 table, so carry a separate document for your date of birth.
- Bills and statements must be recent: not more than three months old. An earlier version of this article said documents must be “more than three months old”; that was the wrong way round.
- Born on or after 1 October 2023? Protean’s list makes a birth certificate from the municipal authority or registrar mandatory as date-of-birth proof.
- Arms licence: the old article listed it as identity proof. It does not appear in the current Form 93 list.
- Photographs: individual applicants attach two recent colour photographs with a white background; Form 93 specifies 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm.
Documents for a minor
A parent or guardian applies for the child as the representative assessee. According to Protean, the minor’s Aadhaar is quoted, and any of the listed documents of a parent or guardian is treated as the child’s proof of identity and address. The date-of-birth proof should be the child’s own, such as a birth certificate. The representative’s own proof of identity and address must also be attached.
Documents for Indian citizens living abroad
NRIs who are Indian citizens use Form 93 with the same proofs of identity and date of birth. For proof of address, Protean accepts a bank account statement from your country of residence or a Non-resident External (NRE) account statement. Form 93 makes your passport number mandatory if you are a non-resident.
Documents for foreign citizens
Foreign citizens, including OCI cardholders, apply on Form 95. Protean accepts a passport, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card as proof of identity and address without attestation. Other documents, such as a foreign tax identification number, need attestation by apostille or by an Indian embassy, high commission or consulate. Foreign citizens who give an Indian office address must add proof from their Indian employer.
Documents for HUFs, companies and other applicants
| Applicant | Proof of identity and address |
|---|---|
| Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) | An original affidavit by the karta, authenticated by a notary, oath commissioner or judicial magistrate, giving the name, father’s name, Aadhaar or PAN and address of every coparcener, plus the karta’s own identity, address and date-of-birth proofs |
| Company registered in India | Certificate of registration from the Registrar of Companies, or the corporate identity number (CIN) |
| Limited liability partnership | Certificate of registration from the Registrar of LLPs, or the LLP identification number |
| Partnership firm | Certificate of registration from the Registrar of Firms, or the partnership deed |
| Trust | Trust deed, or certificate of registration from the Charity Commissioner |
| Association of persons or body of individuals | Agreement, a registration certificate from the competent authority, or a government document establishing identity and address |
If you use Instant e-PAN instead
The free Instant e-PAN service on the Income Tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) uses your Aadhaar details, so you do not upload separate identity and address proofs. The portal sends you to DigiLocker to fetch a date-of-birth document such as a driving licence, birth certificate or Class 10 certificate. It is for adults with an Aadhaar-linked mobile who do not already have a PAN. Our guide on how to apply for a PAN card covers every route step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aadhaar enough for a PAN card?
For the Instant e-PAN route, Aadhaar plus a DigiLocker date-of-birth document is enough. For a Protean or UTIITSL application, Aadhaar covers identity and address, but you need another document for date of birth.
Do I need to self-attest copies?
Protean’s current list asks for copies of the listed documents and originals of the certificates and affidavits. Follow the instructions shown with your application, because paperless e-KYC and e-Sign applications do not need posted copies at all.
Can I use my spouse’s passport as address proof?
Yes. Protean’s Form 93 list accepts a spouse’s Indian passport as proof of address only.
What if my name is spelt differently on different documents?
Proofs should match the name on your application, and the Aadhaar name is printed on the card. Correct the mismatch first, or use documents that match, to avoid your application being held for a discrepancy. If you later need to change PAN details or get a new card, see our PAN reprint and correction guide.
This document list was checked in October 2026 against Protean’s Form 93 and Form 94 document pages, the Form 93 notified under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, and the Income Tax e-filing portal’s Instant e-PAN FAQ. Lists can change, so check the instructions on the portal before you apply.
