Stop Identity Theft and Ghost Accounts: Why Deactivating a Deceased Person’s Aadhaar Is Crucial and How to Do It Online

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has urged citizens to actively report the death of family members to initiate the formal deactivation of their Aadhaar credentials. With digital identity serving as the foundational key for banking transactions, property ownership, mobile SIM registrations, and welfare schemes, leaving a deceased person’s identity active opens significant vulnerabilities for exploitation. Deactivating the credentials permanently closes these loopholes, protecting the family from protracted administrative liabilities, unauthorized transactions, and legacy complications.

Why Deactivating a Deceased Individual’s Aadhaar Is Critical

Leaving an identification record active following an individual’s passing creates immediate exposure across the digital financial ecosystem:

• Preventing Identity Theft and Cyber Fraud: Unscrupulous entities frequently exploit identity data of deceased persons to secure fraudulent SIM cards, generate instant paperless digital loans, or execute money laundering schemes.

• Eliminating Ghost Beneficiaries: Continued activation can lead to illegal claims under government direct benefit transfer (DBT) initiatives, pensions, or food subsidies, distorting public welfare databases.

• Securing Family Estates and Banking Assets: Freezing the digital credential prevents unauthorized account access, ensuring insurance claims, provident funds, and estate transfers proceed cleanly without legal contestation.

• Maintaining Database Sanctity: Proactive reporting helps statutory authorities keep the central identity repository clean, accurate, and free of outdated records.

Official Step-by-Step Reporting on the myAadhaar Portal

The UIDAI provides a fully digital service titled “Report Death of a Family Member” integrated with the Civil Registration System (CRS). Citizens can initiate the deactivation through the official portal using these steps:

1. Access the Portal: Visit the official UIDAI platform at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.

2. Log In: The reporting family member must log in using their own credentials via OTP verification (ensuring their mobile number is actively registered).

3. Select Service: Navigate to and click on “Report Death of a Family Member”.

4. Enter Details: Input the deceased person’s identification details along with the official Death Certificate number and municipal registration data.

5. Upload Verification: Upload a clear scanned copy of the official Death Certificate issued by the municipal corporation or local registrar.

6. Submit and Track: Submit the request. UIDAI cross-verifies the certificate against civil registration registries before permanently marking the record as deactivated.