Archive · 10 Jun 2025
How to Manage Official Documents After a Death
When someone passes away, their family needs to take care of important documents like their Aadhaar, PAN card, and voter ID.
Since these documents can be misused, it's important to know what to do with them.
For Aadhaar, you can lock their information online.
Keep the PAN card until all financial matters are settled.
Cancel the voter ID by submitting a form.
Passports don't need to be returned, but driving licenses might require specific procedures depending on the state.
It's all about making sure the person's information isn't used improperly.
There are no universal rules, but it's important to manage official documents of a deceased person.
To secure the Aadhaar, lock the biometric data via the UIDAI website.
PAN cards should be retained until related accounts are closed and taxes are filed.
Voter IDs can be canceled by submitting Form 7 with a death certificate.
Surrender the PAN card to the Income Tax Department after closing related accounts.
- Who
- Legal heirs and family members
- What
- Steps to handle official documents and IDs such as PAN, Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, and driving license of a deceased person.
- When
- After the death of a family member
- Where
- Local election office, UIDAI website, Income Tax Department, and Regional Transport Office
- Why
- To prevent misuse of the deceased's documents and to comply with regulations.
- Aadhaar Action
- Lock biometric data on UIDAI website.
- PAN Card Action
- Surrender to Income Tax Department after closing accounts.
- Voter ID Action
- Cancel by submitting Form 7 with death certificate.
- Passport Action
- Becomes invalid after expiry; no surrender required.
- Driving License Action
- Inquire with RTO; varies by state.