Personal Account Number (PAN) is a necessity for every Indian Citizen. If you are applying for a bank loan, passport, Or you are planning to start a company then you must have a PAN card. It is the biggest and by far the most valid proof of your Identity.
Minors (Children who are below the age of 18) also need a PAN card to avail certain facilities like:
- Applying for Education Loan
- Applying for a Passport to travel abroad
- If the Guardian wants to make his child the nominee to his assets and investments, then PAN is mandatory
- Photo Identity Proof for any kind of exams like JEE Main Or NEET
Apart from the above benefits, a PAN card is a lifetime valid identity number, so it won’t need renewal after the minor becomes major (as in the case of aadhaar card). So there’s no harm in getting a PAN card before the age of 18.
How to apply for a PAN Card for Minors?
It is to be noted that a child below 18 can not apply for a PAN Card on his/her own. Their Parents Or immediate Guardians must do so on the minor’s behalf.
We will be telling you the steps you can follow for applying for a minor PAN Card both in offline and online mode.
For Offline Mode
1.Go to the National Security Depository Limited (NSDL) official website and download form 49A.
2.Print the form and fill it up using the instructions given on the website.
3.Attach the required documents (mentioned later in this article) and paste two recent photos of the minor applicant.
4.Now put this filled-up form (49A) along with the attached documents in an envelope and submit it to the nearest NSDL/UTISL office. There will be a nominal charge of ₹ 110 (might vary).
5.After the document verification, the hard copy of the PAN card will be sent to the address given in the application form.
Usually, it takes around 2-3 weeks for PAN Card to come.
For Online Mode
1.Go to the NSDL Webpage and fill out form 49 A online.
2.Upload scanned copies of your signatures along with required documents (discussed later).
3.Pay the fee of ₹ 110 (might vary) and click on Submit.
4.After Successful Submission, you will receive an acknowledgment/reference number with which you can track your application for PAN.
After you receive the message, it generally takes around 4 weeks for your PAN card to arrive at your mentioned address.
Documents Required
There are many documents that can be used, but here we will be mentioning only those which are applicable for both online and offline modes. The documents required are of three categories: Age proof, identity proof, and address proof.
Documents Accepted as Age Proof
- Aadhaar Card
- Birth Certificate that was issued at the time of birth by the local municipal authorities
- 10th Standard mark sheet (or any mark sheet issued to the minor by a recognized board)
Documents Accepted as ID Proof
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- Any government-issued photo ID card
- Driver’s license and passport (for the Guardian of the minor)
Documents Accepted as Address Proof
- Aadhaar Card
- Electricity bill
- Passbook issued by post office
- Property Documents
