Check a Virtual ID
Type or paste the 16 digits. The result appears automatically.
Have a 12-digit number?
That is an Aadhaar number, not a VID. Use the Aadhaar number validator instead.
What is an Aadhaar Virtual ID?
A Virtual ID is a 16-digit temporary number that UIDAI maps to your Aadhaar number. Introduced in 2018, it lets you authenticate or complete e-KYC without revealing your actual Aadhaar number. The agency receiving your VID gets the same authentication result but cannot recover the underlying Aadhaar number, and you can replace the VID at any time.
VID format
- 16 digits, usually printed as four groups of four.
- The first digit is 2–9, like an Aadhaar number.
- Digits 1–15 are random; the 16th digit is a Verhoeff check digit.
- It carries no information about you: no state, no date of birth, no link to the Aadhaar digits.
Because the checksum is the same, a VID is validated exactly like an Aadhaar number with the length changed to 16. The regex is ^[2-9][0-9]{15}$; code samples are on the developer page.
How to generate or retrieve a VID
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| myAadhaar portal | Sign in at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in with Aadhaar + OTP, choose Generate VID / Retrieve VID. The VID is sent to your registered mobile. |
| mAadhaar app | Open your profile, tap Generate VID or Retrieve VID. |
| SMS | From your registered mobile send GVID <last 4 digits of Aadhaar> to 1947 to generate, or RVID <last 4 digits> to retrieve. |
Where you can use a VID
Anywhere Aadhaar authentication is accepted: bank and SIM e-KYC, government schemes, and any AUA/KUA that performs Aadhaar-based authentication. Agencies are required to accept a VID wherever they accept an Aadhaar number for authentication.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Aadhaar Virtual ID (VID)?
A VID is a temporary, revocable 16-digit random number mapped to your Aadhaar number. You can share it for authentication or e-KYC instead of the Aadhaar number itself, and the service provider cannot derive your Aadhaar number from it.
How do I generate a VID?
On the myAadhaar portal (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in), in the mAadhaar app, or by SMS from your registered mobile: send GVID followed by the last four digits of your Aadhaar number to 1947. A new VID replaces the previous one.
How long is a VID valid?
A VID has no expiry date; it remains valid until you generate a new one, which replaces it. UIDAI requires a minimum validity of one day before a new VID can be generated.
Does a VID use the same checksum as Aadhaar?
Yes. The 16th digit is a Verhoeff check digit, so the same validation logic applies, just with 16 digits instead of 12.
Can I find out an Aadhaar number from a VID?
No. The mapping is held only by UIDAI and cannot be reversed by anyone else, which is the entire point of a VID.