First, decide what you need to know
"Is this Aadhaar number valid?" can mean three different things, and each needs a different check:
| Question | What answers it | Who can do it |
|---|---|---|
| Is the number well-formed (no typo)? | Checksum validation | Anyone, instantly, offline |
| Has this number been issued? | UIDAI Verify Aadhaar service | Anyone, on myAadhaar |
| Does it belong to this person? | QR code, offline e-KYC, or authentication | Anyone with the document; businesses via AUA/KUA |
The five methods
Run the checksum check
Enter the number in the Aadhaar validator. It confirms the number is 12 digits, starts with 2–9 and has a correct Verhoeff check digit. This takes a second and catches typos, but it cannot tell you whether the number was ever issued.
Use UIDAI's "Verify Aadhaar" service
Go to the myAadhaar portal (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in), open Verify an Aadhaar Number, enter the 12 digits and the captcha. UIDAI tells you whether the number exists and shows the holder's age band, gender, state and the last digits of the registered mobile number. It does not reveal the name.
Scan the secure QR code
Every Aadhaar letter, PVC card and e-Aadhaar carries a QR code digitally signed by UIDAI. Scan it with the mAadhaar app or the Aadhaar QR Scanner app: it shows the name, photo and demographic details straight from the signed data, so a tampered printout is detected instantly.
Ask for Offline Paperless e-KYC
For onboarding, ask the person to download their Paperless Offline e-KYC XML from myAadhaar and share it with the 4-digit share code. The file is signed by UIDAI and contains a masked number, name, address and photo — you verify the signature, not the number.
For businesses: Aadhaar authentication or e-KYC
Regulated entities that need legally valid verification use Aadhaar authentication (OTP, biometric or face) through a licensed AUA/KUA, or DigiLocker. This is the only route that confirms a live match between the person and the number.
Spotting a fake Aadhaar card
Because the number itself contains no personal data, a fake card is usually detected by the document, not the digits:
- The QR code is decisive. A forged card either has no secure QR, or the QR decodes to details that do not match the printed ones. Always scan with the official app rather than a generic QR reader.
- Checksum failure is a red flag. Fabricated numbers made up by hand fail the Verhoeff check about 90% of the time.
- First digit 0 or 1 is never genuine.
- UIDAI says "does not exist". The number was never issued or has been cancelled.
Avoiding scams
Only UIDAI (uidai.gov.in, myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in, the mAadhaar app) can verify a number against the Aadhaar database. Be suspicious of any site that asks for your full Aadhaar number plus OTP, name or date of birth "to verify it", charges a fee, or promises to reveal the holder's name or address. Our tool never asks for anything beyond the digits and never transmits them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check whether an Aadhaar number is real online?
Yes. UIDAI's own Verify an Aadhaar Number service on the myAadhaar portal confirms whether a number exists. Third-party tools like ours can only check that the number is mathematically well-formed.
Can I find someone's name from their Aadhaar number?
No, and no legitimate service offers this. UIDAI's verification page deliberately shows only an age band, gender, state and partial mobile number. Any website promising a name-lookup from an Aadhaar number is either a scam or breaking the law.
What does it mean if the checksum is valid but UIDAI says the number does not exist?
The number is well-formed but has not been issued (or has been deactivated). Roughly one in ten random 12-digit strings passes the checksum, so this is expected for made-up numbers.
Is it legal to verify someone else's Aadhaar number?
Using UIDAI's public verification page is permitted. Storing, sharing or publishing someone's Aadhaar number without a lawful purpose is restricted under the Aadhaar Act and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Businesses must use authorised channels.