"C/o" (Care Of) in Aadhaar Card

The Aadhaar card is a vital document for Indian residents, serving as proof of identity and address for various purposes. If you’ve ever looked closely at your Aadhaar card, you might have noticed the term “C/o” (Care of) in the address section. Many people are confused about what this means and whether it’s mandatory to fill this field.

What Does “C/o” Mean in Aadhaar?

What Does Co (Care Of) Mean in Aadhaar Card

“C/o” stands for Care Of. It is a part of the address section on the Aadhaar card and is used to indicate a relationship or association with another person. For example:

If you live with your parents, you can mention C/o [Father’s Name].
If you are married, you can write C/o [Husband’s Name].
If you live with a guardian or landlord, you can include their name as C/o [Guardian’s Name].

Previously, Aadhaar cards had fields like S/o (Son of), D/o (Daughter of), or W/o (Wife of) to specify relationships. However, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has now standardized all these options into a single field: C/o.

This change was made to simplify the process and make it more inclusive.

Is It Mandatory to Fill the “C/o” Field?

No, filling the “C/o” field is optional. If you don’t want to include any relationship details in your address, you can leave this field blank. Your Aadhaar card will still be valid without it.

However, including the “C/o” field can be helpful in certain situations:

It provides additional clarity about your address.
It can be useful for delivering letters or packages.
It helps verify relationships when required for specific services.

Why Did UIDAI Standardize “C/o”?

Before 2018, Aadhaar cards had multiple relationship fields like S/o, D/o, and W/o. However, these fields were often restrictive and didn’t account for all types of relationships or living arrangements. For example:

A person living with a guardian couldn’t use S/o or W/o.
Some people preferred not to disclose their marital status.

To address these issues and protect privacy, UIDAI introduced the “C/o” field as a universal option. This change also aligns with privacy concerns raised by the Supreme Court of India regarding Aadhaar usage.

How to Add or Update “C/o” in Your Aadhaar Card?

If you want to add or update the “C/o” details on your Aadhaar card, follow these steps:

Online Method

Here is Online method to update “Care Of” details in your Aadhaar:

Visit the official UIDAI website: https://uidai.gov.in.
Log in using your Aadhaar number and OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Select the “Update Address Online” option under “My Aadhaar.”
Enter your updated address details, including the “C/o” field if required.
Upload a valid proof of address document (e.g., utility bill, rent agreement).
Submit the request and note down the Update Request Number (URN) for tracking.

For more detailed instructions, follow: Aadhaar Card Update

Offline Method

Here are the steps if you want to update your “C/O” in person:

Visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or enrollment center near you.
Fill out an Aadhaar Update Form with your updated address details.
Provide original documents for verification.
Submit the form along with biometrics if required.
Pay a nominal fee of ₹50 and collect an acknowledgment slip.

The updated details will reflect on your Aadhaar card within 10–15 days.

Importance of “C/O”

While optional, mentioning “C/o” can be beneficial in certain cases:

Clarity: It helps provide additional context about your residence.
Delivery Assistance: Makes it easier for postal services to identify recipients.
Relationship Verification: Useful for specific applications requiring proof of association (e.g., family-based schemes).

However, if privacy is a concern or if it’s unnecessary for your situation, leaving it blank is completely acceptable.

Can You Change “C/o” Back to S/o or W/o?

No, it is no longer possible to change “C/o” back to S/o, D/o, or W/o on your Aadhaar card. UIDAI has removed these options permanently as part of its standardization process. If you previously had S/o or W/o mentioned on your card and update your address now, it will automatically change to C/o.

FAQs

Leaving the “C/o” field blank is perfectly fine and won’t affect the validity of your Aadhaar card.

Yes, if you are renting a house or apartment, you can mention your landlord’s name as “C/o [Landlord’s Name].”

No, updating “C/o” after marriage is not mandatory unless you wish to include your spouse’s name in your address details.

Yes, if you don’t want any relationship details mentioned in your address, simply leave the “C/o” field blank when updating your address.

No, filling or leaving out the “C/o” field does not impact access to government services linked to Aadhaar.

Conclusion

The “C/o” field in an Aadhaar card stands for “Care Of,” offering flexibility and privacy when mentioning relationships in your address details. While optional, it can be useful for clarity and delivery purposes but isn’t mandatory for accessing services linked to Aadhaar.

What Does “C/o” (Care Of) Mean in Aadhaar Card?

What Does “C/o” Mean in Aadhaar?

Is It Mandatory to Fill the “C/o” Field?

Why Did UIDAI Standardize “C/o”?