Post Office Address proof card- all you need to know
Getting a proper address proof is a headache for everyone,
particularly when they move cities, shift homes and so on. Almost every service
you want to avail hinges on you having proper address proof.
The most basic form of address proof is the rental agreement.
However this is not acceptable for various major/serious/critical services, who
insist on a govt issued ID card with address proof. For example, you may be
able to get a phone connection with a rental agreement copy, but you can’t get adhaar
card with it.
Thus next stage will be to get some proper ID proof for
yourself.
Passport: Passport is the most popular and unquestionable
proof of address but passport address may not be changed using rental
agreement. (It appears as one of the proofs in the website drop down) but
officials often insist on some additional proof. Plus, a passport costs at
least INR 2000 + a visit to passport seva kendra, police verification and so
on.
Driving license is also equally expensive and takes time
(first LL, then DL etc)
The easiest and least complicated form of address proof is
to get one from Post office. Yes, Postal department issues an ID Card with
address, which serves as a proof of address. This is cheap and convenient to
get.
Cost of Postal Department Address Proof ID card: Rs 270+ for
normal, 600+ for Tatkal.
Postal department address card processing time: Upto 3
months for normal, 15-20 days for Tatkal.
Note that Tatkal option may only be available at regional/main
post offices and not small ones.
Process:
1. Application form: Some post offices sell the application
form for Rs 20, while others ask you to download from website, fill it up and
bring. Downloading from online and printing (about 4 pages) will be convenient
if you have easy access to printer. Else you can check if hard copy is
available at the post office near you.
2. Photo: Two recent stamp size photo will be needed
3. Address proof: Rental agreement or any other address proof
is needed that matches with the current address for which postal ID card is
needed.
Permanent address, if different from current address needs
to be specified, along with proof (for permanent address)
4. For salaried people: Employee ID card photocopy, name of
employer & office address is needed
5. Personal identifiable mark- this is mandatory- note down any
mole, cuts or unique identification marks on your body.
Once you have all these arranged, go to nearest post office,
ask for right counter to submit this and submit the documents to the
satisfaction of the staff- they might ask for extra paperwork or clarification.
They will enter your application details in the system and will give you a
receipt for the payment (around INR 270).
After this you’ve to wait. Depending on tatkal/normal and
the workload, you should get it in few weeks to few months by speed post.
Validity-Post office address proof ID card is valid for 3 years from date of issue. (point reminded by Pavanaja sir) This is a bit short duration, given that Passport gets 10 years, DL usually 20, Adhar has no expiry date. But then, main purpose of Postal ID card is to give you some kind of ID proof when you don't have other more acceptable ones. So within 3 years you should aim to get an Adhaar card or passport or DL for your new address.
Validity-Post office address proof ID card is valid for 3 years from date of issue. (point reminded by Pavanaja sir) This is a bit short duration, given that Passport gets 10 years, DL usually 20, Adhar has no expiry date. But then, main purpose of Postal ID card is to give you some kind of ID proof when you don't have other more acceptable ones. So within 3 years you should aim to get an Adhaar card or passport or DL for your new address.
The postal address card is NOT listed as one of the address
proof documents on passport website. But when I spoke to passport helpline,
they said this is acceptable.
Even if you have a more popular address proof like Passport,
having a second address proof comes handy in case you don’t want to reveal
passport details to everyone or when your passport is away-say for visa
processing.
Hope this helps.
Nice to know about address ID card.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
You're welcome
DeleteThis is cool. Had never heard of it. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI didnt know that post office issues id cards, thanks for the information
ReplyDeleteDid not have any idea about it, good to know, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome
DeleteFor issuing a address proof they need a address proof sounds funny and they take 3months to process!! Are they going to manufacture it????
ReplyDeleteThat is the irony!
DeleteAlways they are in sleeping mode, when they wake up they issue.Indians tax money 99% wasted by salary to government employees
DeleteAaha ! to you 1st comment - are they going to manufacture it ??
DeleteAbsolutely true ! Always in sleeping mode.
Shrinidhi, thank you!
DeleteGreat to know. Never knew this.
Do they visit our house for verification?
ReplyDeleteNo. it will be sent via registered post
DeleteYes they will visit your house for verification once you file the application.
DeleteYes
DeleteCan i get this card made in Delhi while my house is in pune ??? Actually i have to stay here for 3 months more and i need a address proof in pune.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a rental agreement or a telephone bill or such document to support your address in Pune you can use them and get this card
DeleteI read somewhere that I can send a registered letter to my address in my name and bring that as proof to get this ID. do you know if that is accurate? I do not have a telephone bill or rental agreement
ReplyDeleteHmm, haven't heard about that option. If you're staying in rental property you will have rental agreement, if you own it sale deed can be used.
DeleteYes you can use the above hack for voter ID but not addhar card address update
Deleteits true and more convenient way if you dont have any kind of address proof.
Deletethank you so much for your information ,,,,, it's really usefully
ReplyDeleteGlad it was useful
DeleteI don't have any address proof in Kolkata, and, staying with my mother since last few days after shifting. Is it possible to get the PO ID without any address proof?
ReplyDeleteNo. Using parent's address proof you can get adhaar card or passport or other such documents for your ID/address proof purpose.. Or get a landline in your name, which can be used for address proof in some cases.
DeleteMy minor sons' applications got rejected as the official, who initially accepted the same before 3 weeks, said today that ID card is not issued to minors. I don't find any such thing mentioned in the postal department website, or on the application form.
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know about this rule of not issuing it to minors- may be you can get him a passport or some other ID card instead.
DeleteI spoke to a post-office in my area, bangalore and they are saying this is no longer present. Is there any change in this or not all post-offices provide this facility?
ReplyDeleteBeen an year since I got it- not aware of news stopping it- Do check at other post offices- may be if they are busy or out of form they may try to give misinformation
DeleteWhere you able to get the postal ID card.
DeleteI dont have any address proof. Can I still get it?
ReplyDeleteYou will need some evidence- rental agreement, gas connection, spouse/parent's address proof etc
DeleteIs my address proof such as Gas bill, rental agreement is accepted to process my wife postal ID?
DeleteIF SOME ONE IS NOT SALARIED PERSONAL BUT COMMISSION BASIC JOB THEN WHAT SHOULD HE DO?
ReplyDeleteThey need address proof, not income proof
DeleteVoterid is the best alternative for address proof rather paying this much amount and waiting for weeks.
ReplyDeleteYes, if you can get Voter ID or adhaar etc it is great- but for some, that process is often not viable for lack of relevant documents or they don't want to change their voter ID address say from native place to current address
DeleteI see this only in Tamilnadu website. is it available for Karnataka also?
ReplyDeletePostal department comes under Govt of India, so should be available all over India. not aware of any exception but some post office staff may say they don't have this facility and ask you to go to a bigger post office probably to avoid some work.
DeleteHow to p o I card applay online
ReplyDeleteDon't think you can apply online. Visit a post office
DeleteMy mother who is 81 yrs old is staying with me doesn't have any address proof in her name. I have all the proofs in my name. How to get postal address proof in her name as she can't have any documents as proof in her name
ReplyDeletePlease visit post office and inquire. Often a notorized declaration of address along with some ID proof might be accepted. If that doesn't work may be you can renew house rental agreement in her name while renewal.
DeleteCan I use the address as in my spouse's passport to get an ID for me with the same address? and later can I use this postal ID to avail Aadhar Card?
ReplyDeleteSpouse's passport can be used to get a passport for yourself. So you can get a passport n then get adhaar card. Don't think postal department accepts Spouse passport as your address proof.
ReplyDeleteI am 17 years and my native is Pudukkottai, I have joined a college i chennai,& staying with my guardian. When I have applied from Gopalpuram post office with all required documents, I get a call that my application is rejected as I am a Minor. In know were it has mentioned nor during acceptance at the post office, stated that Minor will not be issued a ID Card. Kindly let me know what next step to be taken. Regards, Kananga V
ReplyDeletePLZ MERA Adhara card ka numbre change karna hay call me 8617347195
ReplyDeleteWhether postal ID Card is issued to mt son who is minor
ReplyDeletePostal ID card issuing is stopped by post office??
ReplyDeleteNot sure. Anything can happen in the name of Corona
DeleteOne point is to be added here. To receive this ID Card, you are supposed to visit the Post Office in your Current Address (for which ID is required) and NOT the one in your previous/permanent address
ReplyDeleteOk.
DeleteI have shifted to our new own house which is registered in my wife's name. So I don't have any adress proof for this new home, but argently I need adress proof for me to change adress in everything like bank passbook, ration card, aadhaar card, etc.. In this case how can I get postal I'd card for me without any proof.
ReplyDeleteSpouse passport serves as address proof while applying for your passport renewal
DeleteHow to track the status in online once application submitted
ReplyDeleteNo idea. Don't think they care. Have to wait patiently.
DeleteIf current address proof is required to get this then what is the use. Problem is getting an address proof when you have moved to a new house or bought a new house. If you are willing to get any address proof , voter id , passport, aadhar they again ask for address proof while you move to a new house you will have address proof of your old house not the new one. Problem is how to get the first address proof which you can utilize to get other IDs. Sharing sale deed of your new house would not be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteRental agreement or sales deed serve as address proof in many places
DeleteI am Coochbehar WESTBENGAL Head post office dont know any thig about this & declined my application
ReplyDeleteI am salaried person is my company id card is enough for address proof or I have to give any rental agreement for address proof.I am from odisha but I stay in Bangalore so I need a local address proof please guide me
ReplyDeleteno, don't think they accept company ID card. Rental agreement, GAS/BSNL connection etc works
DeleteWill Bank accept the ID issued by PO for communication address, no change in permanent address?
ReplyDeletei need address proof for driving license. All my documents have permanent address .
ReplyDeleteim a college student . And the rent agreement is on my father's name . so i cant provide rental agreement for adress verification . any sugessions on what i can do.