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The death of a family member brings emotional challenges, but also the loss of their official documents and identity cards, such as Aadhaar, PAN card, Voter ID, Passport And there also comes the practical responsibility of managing the driving license. Legal heirs are often unsure what to do with these documents—whether to keep them, hand them over, or destroy them. Although there are no universal rules for handling such documents, here is a detailed guide on procedures and considerations for each document.
Guide to handling Aadhar Card, PAN, Passport and Voter ID after death of a family member
Aadhar card
Purpose and concept
- Aadhaar is used as a unique identification number and serves as proof of identity and address. It is often linked to important services like LPG subsidy, scholarships and EPF accounts.
Can Aadhaar be deactivated?
- At present, there is no provision to deactivate or cancel the Aadhaar card of a deceased person. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has not integrated its system with state death registries, and Aadhaar is not mandatory for death registration.
stop abuse
- Legal heirs must ensure that the Aadhaar of the deceased is not misused. To keep biometric data linked to Aadhaar safe, successors can lock the biometrics through the UIDAI website.
PAN card
Importance of PAN
- PAN card is required for filing income tax returns (ITR), operating bank and demat accounts and completing financial transactions.
When to keep the pan?
- PAN should be retained until all financial matters, such as filing ITR, closing accounts or claiming refund, are resolved. The Income Tax Department can reopen tax assessments up to four years from the current assessment year.
How to surrender PAN?
- Write the application to the Assessing Officer (AO) in whose jurisdiction the PAN is registered.
- Include the name of the deceased, PAN, date of birth and copy of the death certificate.
- Submitting PAN is not mandatory, but can be done after all financial matters are settled.
Voter ID Card
Cancellation Process:
Under the Electoral Registration Rules, 1960, the voter identity card of a deceased person can be cancelled.
- Visit your local elections office.
- Submit Form 7 available under election rules along with a copy of the death certificate.
- Upon completion of the process the name will be removed from the voter list.
Passport
validity after death
- A passport does not need to be surrendered or canceled after the death of the holder. However, once the validity of the passport expires it automatically becomes invalid.
recommendation
- Keep an expired passport handy, as it can serve as a useful document for unexpected purposes such as verification.
driving license
various processes
- Each state has its own rules for issuing and revoking driving licenses. Although there is no central provision for surrendering the license of a deceased person, heirs can inquire with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for specific procedures.
vehicle transfer
- Legal heirs should also visit the RTO and initiate the process of transferring ownership of any vehicle registered in the name of the deceased.
What happens to the deceased person’s documents if the authorities are not informed?
There is no legal penalty for not surrendering these documents. However, the documents can be misused by fraudsters if not informed to the issuing authorities. Notifying the authorities adds a layer of protection against such risks.
Storage and maintenance of documents of deceased family member
For documents like Aadhaar and passport which cannot be returned:
- Keep these safely with the death certificate.
- Do not destroy these documents, as these may serve as proof of identity or address in future legal or financial matters.