What Happens to Aadhaar Card, PAN, Voter ID, and Passport After a Family Member’s Death?

While no universal rule governs their handling, this guide provides clarity on what to do with these critical IDs and the steps to prevent their misuse.

Aadhaar CardAadhaar Card

Purpose and Retention

The Aadhaar Card serves as a unique identification number linked to key services like LPG subsidies, scholarships, and EPF accounts.

Can Aadhaar Be Deactivated?

Currently, Aadhaar cannot be deactivated or canceled after death. The UIDAI has not integrated its systems with state death registries, and Aadhaar is not mandatory for registering deaths.

Preventing Misuse

• Lock the deceased’s biometric data via the UIDAI website to prevent unauthorized use.
• Store the Aadhaar card securely with the death certificate.

PAN Card

Significance

The PAN card is critical for filing income tax returns (ITR), managing financial accounts, and completing transactions.

When to Retain the PAN

• Keep the PAN card until all financial matters, such as filing the deceased’s ITRs, closing accounts, or claiming refunds, are resolved.
• Note that the Income Tax Department can reopen assessments up to four years from the current assessment year.

How to Surrender the PAN

• Write an application to the Assessing Officer (AO) under the jurisdiction of the PAN.
• Provide details such as the deceased’s name, PAN, date of birth, and a copy of the death certificate.
• While not mandatory, surrendering the PAN ensures no further misuse.

Voter ID

Cancellation Procedure

Under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, a deceased person’s voter ID can be canceled:

1. Visit the local election office.
2. Submit Form 7 along with a copy of the death certificate.
3. Once processed, the name is removed from the voters’ list.

Passport

Validity After Death

A passport does not need to be canceled upon death and automatically becomes invalid upon expiry.

Recommendation

Retain the expired passport securely. It may serve as proof of identity or verification for future legal or financial matters.

State-Specific Procedures

There is no uniform policy for canceling a deceased person’s driving license, as each state has its regulations. Families can contact the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for guidance.

Vehicle Ownership Transfer

If the deceased owned a vehicle, initiate the ownership transfer process at the RTO by submitting necessary documents, including the death certificate.

What Happens If Authorities Aren’t Informed?

There is no legal penalty for not notifying issuing authorities about the death. However, failing to inform them increases the risk of the documents being misused by fraudsters. Informing authorities adds an additional layer of security and helps prevent identity theft.

Storage and Retention of Documents

For documents that cannot be canceled or surrendered (e.g., Aadhaar, expired passport):

• Store them securely with a copy of the death certificate.
• Avoid destroying these documents, as they may be needed for future verification or legal matters.Kal Ho Naa Ho Box Office: Shah Rukh Khan starrer earns an impressive Rs. 4.30 crores in its re-release journey in 2 weeks