How to Apply for a New Voter ID Card: Form 6 Guide

Quick answer

Use Form 6 if you are an eligible Indian resident applying to be included in the electoral roll for the first time. Apply through the Election Commission of India Citizen Service Portal or submit the official form to the Electoral Registration Officer for the constituency where you ordinarily reside.

Submitting Form 6 is not the final result. Track the application and confirm that your name appears in the electoral roll. You can vote only when your name is on that roll.

Choose the correct voter form

| Your situation | Form or service to check | | --- | --- | | First-time resident voter | Form 6 | | Overseas Indian elector | Form 6A | | Shift address, correct details, replace EPIC, or mark PwD | Form 8 | | Object to or request deletion of an entry | Form 7 | | Download digital voter ID after EPIC is available | e-EPIC service |

Do not submit Form 6 if you are already enrolled and only need to change your address or correct a detail. Duplicate enrolment is not permitted.

Who can register

The applicant must satisfy the current ECI eligibility conditions, including Indian citizenship, qualifying age, and ordinary residence in the constituency. The ECI portal currently describes Form 6 for a person who is 18 or above or will turn 18 in the permitted advance-registration period.

If you are unsure whether you are already enrolled, search your name on the official portal before starting a new application.

Documents to prepare

The current Form 6 asks for identity and ordinary-residence details and supports specified documents for age and address. Prepare:

• A recent unsigned colour photograph with a white background
• An accepted proof of age or date of birth
• An accepted proof of ordinary residence
• Your mobile number and email, if available
• Family-member or relative details requested by the form
• Aadhaar details, or the form's declaration that you do not have Aadhaar

Use the document list shown in the live Form 6. A document that proves identity may not automatically prove current ordinary residence.

Step-by-step online application

1. Open voters.eci.gov.in directly.
2. Search the electoral roll to make sure you are not already registered.
3. Create or access your account using the official sign-in flow.
4. Choose New Voter Registration — Form 6.
5. Select the constituency linked to where you ordinarily reside.
6. Enter your name carefully in English and the state's official language. Review transliteration for spelling errors.
7. Add age, address, relative, contact, and Aadhaar-response details truthfully.
8. Upload a clear photograph and the requested supporting documents.
9. Review the declaration and every field before submitting.
10. Save the application reference number and track status on the same portal.

The ERO or BLO may verify the information. Answer genuine verification requests, but never share a portal password or OTP.

What happens after submission

Application statuses can reflect submission, field verification, acceptance, rejection, or another action. If accepted, confirm your name, constituency, polling-part details, and EPIC number in the electoral roll.

The current Form 6 guidelines say the physical EPIC is sent free by speed post after enrolment. Delivery timing is not guaranteed by a private service provider.

How to download e-EPIC

After an EPIC number is available and your registration supports the service:

1. Sign in to the official ECI portal.
2. Open E-EPIC Download.
3. Complete the authentication requested by ECI.
4. Download the digital EPIC and store it securely.

If the service does not show your record, first verify your name and EPIC details in the electoral roll.

Common mistakes

• Filing Form 6 despite already being registered elsewhere
• Using a temporary contact location rather than ordinary residence
• Uploading an unclear photo or unsupported address document
• Accepting an incorrect automated spelling in the regional language
• Assuming submission means approval
• Depending only on the physical card instead of checking the electoral roll
• Paying someone who promises guaranteed approval

If the application is delayed or rejected

Read the status or recorded reason, keep the reference number, and contact the appropriate ERO/BLO or use the portal's complaint channel. ECI lists voter helpline 1950 for voter-service assistance.

NammaGuide can help explain the form and organise a checklist. ECI officials alone decide electoral-roll inclusion; no private provider can guarantee approval or delivery.

Official sources checked

• ECI Citizen Service Portal
• ECI forms dashboard
• Official Form 6 PDF
• Official Form 6 guidelines
• ECI elector services

Official information checked on 20 July 2026. Forms, accepted documents, and portal screens can change.