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EPF / UAN (India)

The UAN is a 12-digit number linking all your EPF accounts across employers, enabling online passbook, claims, transfers and nomination. UAN can now be activated via Aadhaar Face Authentication on UMANG.

Do it on the official site

EPFO — unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · epfindia.gov.in · UMANG app

Fees

Free — activation, KYC seeding, e-nomination, claims, transfer, passbook [inferred — no fee stated; verify]

Processing time

UAN activation instant; online claims typically a few working days

How long it lasts

UAN is permanent and lifelong, portable across employers

What to know first

  • An Aadhaar-seeded, activated UAN is mandatory for online claims.
  • 2025: UAN can be allotted/activated via Aadhaar Face Authentication (FAT) in UMANG — fully digital.
  • Aadhaar-validated members can self-update profile fields without document upload (only pre-01-10-2017 UANs need employer certification).
  • The 36-month inoperative rule: if you don't settle/transfer within 36 months of leaving your last job, the account earns no interest after 36 months.

How to do it

  1. 1Activate UAN: member portal 'Activate UAN' (UAN+Aadhaar+mobile+OTP) OR UMANG Aadhaar Face Authentication.
  2. 2Seed KYC: Manage → KYC → add Aadhaar, PAN, bank/IFSC → await verification.
  3. 3e-Nomination: Manage → e-Nomination → add family (photo + Aadhaar) → e-sign.
  4. 4Withdraw/Transfer: Online Services → Claim (Form 31/19/10C) or One Member–One EPF Account.
  5. 5Passbook: passbook.epfindia.gov.in.

What you need to bring

  • UAN (or member ID) + Aadhaar-linked mobile; Aadhaar (mandatory); PAN; bank account + IFSC + cancelled cheque; nominee Aadhaar + photo (e-nomination)

In person

Nearest EPFO Regional/District Office; your employer's HR/payroll desk; EPFO facilitation centre

Questions people ask

Activate UAN without visiting anyone?
Yes — via UMANG using Aadhaar Face Authentication.
Still need employer attestation for claims?
No — Aadhaar-seeded UAN allows online claims.
Avoid going inoperative?
Settle or transfer within 36 months of leaving your last job.

Documents that travel with it

Sources

  • epfindia.gov.in FAT + profile-update circulars; unifiedportal-mem (accessed 2026-06-26)