Eligibility Criteria & Documents Required for PAN Card

The PAN card is an important document that serves as an identity proof and is also used to track financial transactions that you make. According to the Income Tax Department, the following list of entities can apply for a PAN card. 

• Individuals

• Companies 

• Trusts

• Association of Persons (AOPs)

• Body of Individuals (BOIs)

• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

• Partnership firms

• Governments

• Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)

• Artificial juridical persons

• Local authorities

Now, depending on the entity, the list of PAN card documents that needs to be submitted as part of the application process may vary. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Documents Required by HUFs & Individuals Who are Indian Citizens

Individuals who are citizens of India are required to submit the following documents to apply for a PAN card.

Proof of Identity 

A copy of any one of the following list of documents may be submitted as proof of identity. 

• Aadhaar card 

• Passport

• Driving licence

• Elector's photo identity card

• Ration card with your photograph

• Arm’s licence 

• Pensioner’s card with your photograph

• Photo identity card issued by a public sector undertaking, the state government or the central government

• Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme card 

• Central Government Health Scheme card 

• Original certificate of identity signed by a municipal councillor, a gazetted officer, a Member of Parliament (M.P.), or a Member of a Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.)

• Original certificate on the letterhead of a bank with your bank account number and photograph, attested by a bank official along with their name and stamp

Note: In the case of the individual being a minor, any one of the above documents of either the parents or the guardian would have to be submitted. 

Proof of Address 

A copy of any one of the following list of documents, not older than 3 months, may be submitted as proof of address.

• Electricity bill 

• Landline or broadband bill 

• Water bill 

• Consumer gas bill or gas connection book 

• Bank account statement 

• Depository account statement 

• Credit card statement

Alternatively, a copy of the following documents is also accepted as a valid proof of address.

• Aadhaar card 

• Driving licence

• Passport

• Spouse’s passport

• Elector's photo identity card

• Post office passbook with your address 

• Property tax assessment order

• Government-issued domicile certificate

• Allotment letter of accommodation issued by either the state government or the central government (not older than 3 years) 

• Property registration document 

• Original certificate from the employer 

• Original certificate of address signed by a municipal councillor, a gazetted officer, a Member of Parliament (M.P.), or a Member of a Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.

Note: In the case of a non-resident Indian citizen, a copy of a bank account statement with the resident country’s address or a copy of a Non-Resident External (NRE) bank account statement may be submitted. 

In the case of the individual being a minor, any one of the above documents of either the parents or the guardian would have to be submitted.  

Proof of Date of Birth 

A copy of the following list of documents may be submitted as evidence of the date of birth. 

• Birth certificate issued by a municipal authority 

• Birth certificate issued by an office authorised to issue birth and death certificates by the Registrar of Birth and Deaths

• Birth certificate issued by an Indian consulate

• Passport

• Driving licence

• Matriculation certificate 

• Marriage certificate issued by a Registrar of Marriages

• Pension payment order 

• Government-issued domicile certificate

• Original affidavit stating the date of birth and sworn before a magistrate

In the case of a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), the above-mentioned list of documents required for a PAN Card would continue to apply. However, only the karta of the HUF needs to provide proof of identity, address, and date of birth. 

In addition to these documents, the karta should also submit an affidavit listing all the names, fathers’ names, and addresses of all the coparceners. 

Documents Required by Individuals Who are Not Citizens of India

Non-Indian citizens are required to apply for a PAN card if their total income exceeds the basic exemption limit. Here’s the list of PAN card documents they would have to submit as part of the application process. 

Proof of Identity 

A copy of any one of the following list of documents may be submitted as proof of identity. 

• Passport

• PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card 

• OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card

• Other national or Citizenship Identification Number or Taxpayer Identification Number, attested by officials of overseas branches of Indian scheduled banks, ‘Apostille’, the Indian embassy, the High Commission, or Consulate of your country 

Proof of Address 

A copy of any one of the following list of documents is accepted as proof of address.

• Passport

• PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card 

• OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card

• Other national or Citizenship Identification Number or Taxpayer Identification Number, attested by officials of overseas branches of Indian scheduled banks, ‘Apostille’, the Indian embassy, the High Commission, or Consulate of your country 

• Bank account statement mentioning the address of the country of residence 

• Bank account statement of a Non-Resident External (NRE) account in India 

• Residential permit or certificate of residence in India issued by a state Police Authority

• Registration certificate with an Indian address issued by the Foreigner’s Registration Office 

• Visa, appointment letter or contract from an Indian company and an original certificate from the Indian employer mentioning the current Indian address

Documents Required for a Company PAN Card

A company that’s registered in India has to only submit a single document for a PAN card - a copy of the certificate of registration issued by the Registrar of Companies (RoC). 

Documents Required for a Firm Including Limited Liability

The only documents required for a PAN card for partnership firms are as follows - 

• In the case of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), a copy of the certificate of registration issued by the Registrar of Firms or Limited Liability Partnerships

• In the case of a regular partnership, a copy of the partnership deed 

Documents Required for Association of Persons (Trusts) Formed or Registered in India

The PAN card documents required to be submitted by an Association of Persons (AOP) that’s registered as a trust or a charity listed below. 

• A copy of the trust deed or 

• A copy of the Charity Commissioner-issued certificate of Registration Number 

Documents Required for Association of Persons (Other than Trusts), Body of Individuals, Local Authority or Artificial Juridical Persons formed or registered in India 

All other entities except trusts and charities will have to produce a copy of either of the following documents to apply for a PAN card. 

• Agreement entered into by the respective entity 

• Certificate of Registration Number issued by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, the Charity Commissioner, or any other competent authority 

• Documents issued by the central or state government departments authenticating the identity and address of the entity 

Documents Required for an LLP Registered Outside India

In the case of Limited Liability Partnerships registered outside India, either of the two documents are required for applying for a PAN card online. 

• Certificate of registration issued by the country in which the LLP is located, attested by officials of overseas branches of Indian scheduled banks, ‘Apostille’, the Indian embassy, the High Commission, or Consulate

• Approval or registration certificate issued by Indian authorities for setting up an office in India. 

Documents Required for a Company Registered Outside India

Foreign companies that are registered outside India can also apply for a PAN card. As part of the application process, they can submit a copy of either of the following documents. 

• Certificate of registration issued by the country in which the company is located, attested by officials of overseas branches of Indian scheduled banks, ‘Apostille’, the Indian embassy, the High Commission, or Consulate 

• Approval or registration certificate issued by Indian authorities for setting up an office in India. 

Documents Required for Association of Persons (Trusts) Formed Outside India

An Association of Person registered as a trust or a charity outside India has to submit a copy of any one of the following documents to apply for a PAN card. 

• Certificate of registration issued by the country in which the entity is located, attested by officials of overseas branches of Indian scheduled banks, ‘Apostille’, the Indian embassy, the High Commission, or Consulate 

• Approval or registration certificate issued by Indian authorities for setting up an office in India.