PAN Card Documents Required (Complete List)
You need three types of proof to apply for PAN Card: identity proof, address proof, and date of birth proof. The simplest approach is to use Aadhaar — it counts as all three.
Required Documents
Identity Proof (any one)
- Aadhaar Card (recommended — covers all three proofs)
- Voter ID
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Ration Card with photo
Address Proof (any one)
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Passport
- Electricity / Water / Gas bill (not older than 3 months)
- Bank account statement (not older than 3 months)
- Post office passbook with address
Date of Birth Proof (any one)
- Aadhaar Card
- Birth Certificate
- Matriculation (10th) Certificate
- Passport
Additionally Required
- Passport-size photograph — recent, color, white background
- Signature — black ink on white paper
For Minor Applicants (below 18 years)
- Minor's birth certificate (mandatory)
- Parent's PAN card copy
- Parent's identity proof
- Parent's address proof
Optional Documents
- Employer letter (if employer is applying on your behalf)
- Court order (in case of name change)
- Gazette notification (in case of name change)
File Format & Size Rules
| Document | Format | Max Size |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | JPEG | 100 KB |
| Signature | JPEG | 100 KB |
| Identity Proof | JPEG or PDF | 300 KB |
| Address Proof | JPEG or PDF | 300 KB |
| DOB Proof | JPEG or PDF | 300 KB |
Tips to Avoid Document Rejection
- Scan documents at 200 DPI — not phone photos unless they are sharp and well-lit
- Do not crop out any part of the document — full page should be visible
- If the document has two sides, scan both sides and combine into a single PDF
- Make sure text on the document is readable — no blur, no shadows
- Name and details on documents must match what you filled in the form exactly
- Color scans are preferred over black-and-white
- Use online PDF compressors if your file exceeds the size limit — do not reduce scan quality instead