If you have moved to a new house, city, district or constituency, you should update your voter registration so that your name is enrolled at your current ordinary residence. The Election Commission of India provides an online process for Voter ID Address Change through Form 8.
Form 8 is used for shifting residence, correction of entries in the existing electoral roll and replacement of EPIC in applicable cases. When shifting residence, the application is submitted to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of the constituency where the new address is located.
Updating your voter address is important because your electoral-roll record should correspond to the constituency where you ordinarily reside. If you have permanently moved to another constituency, simply continuing to use the old address can create problems when checking your voter registration.
What Is Voter ID Address Change?
Voter ID Address Change is the process of shifting your existing voter registration from your previous residence to your current ordinary residence.
For example, suppose you were registered as a voter in:
Old Address: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
and you have permanently moved to:
New Address: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
You can submit Form 8 requesting that your voter registration be shifted to the constituency corresponding to your new residence.
The ECI’s Form 8 specifically provides an option for Shifting of Residence.
Which Form Is Used for Voter ID Address Change?
You need to use Form 8 for shifting your residence.
The Election Commission’s voter-service portal currently identifies Form 8 for:
- Shifting of residence
- Correction of entries
- Replacement of EPIC
- Marking as a Person with Disability
| Requirement | Form |
|---|---|
| New voter registration | Form 6 |
| Voter ID address change | Form 8 |
| Name correction | Form 8 |
| Other eligible corrections | Form 8 |
| Replacement EPIC | Form 8 |
| Deletion of voter entry | Form 7 |
If you are applying for a Voter ID for the first time, read the guide on Voter ID Apply Online.
Who Can Apply for Voter ID Address Change?
An existing registered voter who has shifted their residence can request the transfer of their voter registration to the new address.
The application should be made to the Electoral Registration Officer of the constituency where the new address is located.
This is important because the process is not simply about changing the address printed on the physical card. Your electoral-roll registration also needs to be shifted to the appropriate constituency.
Documents Required for Voter ID Address Change
You should keep an acceptable address-proof document ready before submitting Form 8.
The current Form 8 lists the following address documents:
- Water, electricity or gas connection bill for the address, for at least one year
- Aadhaar Card
- Current passbook of a Nationalized/Scheduled Bank or Post Office
- Indian Passport
- Revenue Department land-owning records, including Kisan Bahi
- Registered Rent Lease Deed for tenants
- Registered Sale Deed for an own house
The Form 8 guidelines state that a self-attested copy of an applicable address proof can be submitted in the applicant’s name or, in specified circumstances, in the name of a parent, spouse or adult child who is already enrolled as an elector at the same address.
Address Proof Checklist
Before applying, keep:
- Aadhaar Card or another applicable address proof
- EPIC/Voter ID number
- New address details
- Mobile number
- Email address, if applicable
- Scanned or photographed copy of the supporting document
Use a document that clearly supports your current residential address.
Voter ID Address Change Online: Step-by-Step Process
The Election Commission provides online voter services through the Voters’ Services Portal.
Step 1: Visit the Voters’ Services Portal
Open the official ECI Voters’ Services Portal:
The portal provides voter-registration and electoral-roll updating services, including applications for shifting residence.
Step 2: Log In or Create an Account
If you already have an account, log in.
If you are using the portal for the first time, complete the required account-registration process using your mobile number and other requested information.
Step 3: Select Form 8
Go to the service for Correction of Entries / Form 8.
The ECI’s current citizen-service portal provides an online Form 8 option for correction and related voter-record services.
Step 4: Select Shifting of Residence
Inside Form 8, select:
Shifting of Residence
Do not select only the correction option if your actual requirement is to move your voter registration to another residence.
The official Form 8 provides separate options for shifting residence and correction of existing electoral-roll entries.
Step 5: Enter Your Existing Voter Details
Provide the information requested in Form 8.
This may include:
- Your name
- EPIC number
- Aadhaar details, where applicable
- Mobile number
- Email address, where applicable
Form 8 specifically asks for the applicant’s name and EPIC number along with the available contact and identification information.
Step 6: Enter Your New Address
Enter your present ordinary residence carefully.
The Form 8 address section includes:
- House/building/apartment number
- Street/area/locality
- Town/village
- Post office
- PIN code
- Tehsil/Taluka/Mandal
- District
- State/UT
Check the PIN code and district carefully because an incorrect location can affect the constituency to which your application is routed.
Step 7: Upload Address Proof
Upload a self-attested copy of the applicable address proof.
Make sure:
- Your name and address are readable
- The document is not blurry
- The complete relevant portion is visible
- The document supports the new address
- The uploaded file meets the portal’s technical requirements
The ECI states that the address-proof document should be attached with the application for shifting residence.
Step 8: Review the Application
Before submitting, carefully check:
- Existing name
- EPIC number
- New address
- PIN code
- District
- State
- Address proof
- Mobile number
- Other information
An incorrect PIN code or locality can cause unnecessary verification problems.
Step 9: Submit Form 8
After checking all the details, submit the application.
Save the application/reference number displayed after submission.
It can be useful for tracking the application later.
What Happens After Voter ID Address Change Application?
After submission, the application is processed by the election authorities.
For shifting residence, the Form 8 guidelines state that the application is made to the ERO of the constituency where the new address is located.
The authorities may verify the information and supporting address proof before approving the shift.
Approval is therefore not necessarily immediate after submitting the online application.
What Happens to the Old Voter Registration?
When the shifting-of-residence application is approved, the voter registration is shifted from the previous address to the new address.
The Form 8 application itself states that the applicant requests deletion from the previous address and shifting to the current address.
This is important because a voter should not remain enrolled at multiple locations.
The ECI states that a person cannot be enrolled in more than one electoral roll.
Will the EPIC Number Change After Address Change?
Generally, the EPIC number remains the same when a voter shifts residence.
The Election Commission’s guidance states that when a voter shifts residence and becomes enrolled at the new address, the ERO issues a new EPIC for the shifted address with the same number.
So, changing your voter address does not normally mean receiving an entirely new EPIC number.
Will a New Voter ID Card Be Issued?
After approval of a shifting-of-residence application, a replacement EPIC is issued according to the applicable process.
The Form 8 guidelines state that when an application for shifting of residence is approved, a new replacement EPIC is issued and the old EPIC is to be returned to the Electoral Registration Officer.
The updated card reflects the new electoral registration details.
How to Check Voter ID Address Change Status
After submitting Form 8, you can track your application through the Election Commission’s voter services.
The ECI provides an application-status facility for applications related to registration and updating electoral-roll details.
You can also use the official Voter Helpline App for voter-related services, including modification of existing registration details.
For a separate step-by-step guide, see Voter ID Application Status.
How to Check Whether Your Address Has Been Updated
After your Form 8 request is approved, search your voter registration details using the Election Commission’s electoral-roll search facility.
Check whether:
- Your name appears
- Your EPIC number is correct
- Your new address/constituency details are reflected
- Your polling-station information is correct
The ECI provides an online facility to search voter names and access polling-station and related elector information.
Do not rely only on the delivery of the physical card. Confirm that your electoral-roll registration has actually been updated.
Voter ID Address Change Within the Same City
If you move to another locality within the same city, the correct process still depends on whether your electoral-roll details need to be shifted.
For example, moving from one locality in Delhi to another may result in a different Assembly Constituency or polling area.
If your ordinary residence has changed, use the Form 8 shifting-of-residence process and provide the new address.
The relevant ERO is the officer for the constituency where your new residence is located.
Voter ID Address Change to Another City
If you move from one city to another, you should update your voter registration to the constituency corresponding to your new ordinary residence.
For example:
Old: Jaipur, Rajasthan
New: Delhi
You should request shifting of residence rather than applying for a second voter registration.
The ECI specifically provides Form 8 for this purpose.
Voter ID Address Change to Another State
You can also request shifting of your voter registration when you move to another state, provided you meet the applicable ordinary-residence requirements at the new location.
The application should be directed to the ERO of the constituency where the new residence is located.
You should not maintain active voter registrations at both the old and new locations.
Can I Change Voter ID Address Without Changing My Name?
Yes.
If your name and other voter details are correct but your residence has changed, you can use Form 8 specifically for Shifting of Residence.
There is no need to request a name correction simply because you are changing your address.
If your name is also incorrect, see the guide on Voter ID Name Correction.
Can I Change My Address Without Aadhaar?
Form 8 allows applicants to provide Aadhaar details or indicate that they are unable to furnish an Aadhaar number because they do not have one.
For address shifting, however, you still need to provide the applicable address proof specified by the ECI or another acceptable document where permitted.
Aadhaar is therefore not the only address-proof option listed in Form 8.
Can Tenants Change Their Voter ID Address?
Yes, a tenant who has shifted to a new ordinary residence can request shifting of voter registration.
The current Form 8 specifically lists a registered rent lease deed as one of the address-proof options for a tenant.
The important factor is that the applicant should ordinarily reside at the new address and provide acceptable supporting documentation.
Can I Use My Parent’s or Spouse’s Address Proof?
In specified circumstances, yes.
The Form 8 guidelines allow an address-proof document in the name of the applicant or, where applicable, a parent, spouse or adult child who is already enrolled as an elector at the same address.
This can be useful where the applicant does not have an individual utility bill or similar document in their own name.
What If My Voter ID Address Change Is Rejected?
If your application is rejected or returned, first check the available application status and any remarks.
Common reasons for problems can include:
- Incorrect address
- Wrong constituency
- Unclear address proof
- Address-proof mismatch
- Incomplete application
- Incorrect EPIC details
- Verification issues
Do not immediately submit multiple applications.
First identify the issue and correct it through the applicable process.
If you need to raise a complaint, the ECI provides the National Grievance Services Portal (NGSP) for election-related complaints and allows citizens to track their complaints.
Common Mistakes in Voter ID Address Change
Applying for a New Voter ID
If you already have a voter registration, do not submit Form 6 simply because you have moved.
Use Form 8 for shifting of residence.
Entering an Incorrect PIN Code
A wrong PIN code can create confusion about your actual residential location.
Check it carefully before submission.
Uploading the Wrong Address Proof
Make sure the document supports the new address.
Keeping Two Voter Registrations
Do not maintain registrations at both your old and new residences.
The ECI states that a person cannot be enrolled on more than one electoral roll.
Not Checking the Electoral Roll
After approval, verify that your voter registration is actually reflected at the new location.
Not Saving the Application Number
Keep the application/reference number until the entire process is completed.
Voter ID Address Change Checklist
Before submitting Form 8, check:
- Existing voter registration confirmed
- EPIC number available
- New ordinary residence confirmed
- Complete address entered
- House/building number checked
- Locality checked
- PIN code checked
- District checked
- State/UT checked
- Address proof ready
- Address proof is readable
- Form 8 shifting-of-residence option selected
- Application reviewed
- Reference number saved
Voter ID Address Change Online vs Offline
The Election Commission provides online voter services through the Voters’ Services Portal, while Form 8 is also available for the prescribed offline process.
| Online | Offline |
|---|---|
| Submit Form 8 online | Submit Form 8 through the applicable election office |
| Upload address proof | Provide address-proof documents |
| Track application online | Follow the local election-office process |
| Convenient from home | Useful where online access is difficult |
The ECI’s official elector services currently include online options for updating electoral-roll details and shifting residence.
Voter ID Address Change vs New Voter Registration
These two processes should not be confused.
| Voter ID Address Change | New Voter Registration |
|---|---|
| Existing voter | Person not yet registered |
| Form 8 | Form 6 |
| Shifts existing registration | Requests first-time enrolment |
| Uses existing EPIC | New registration is created |
| Used after moving residence | Used by eligible new voters |
If you are already enrolled, shifting your existing registration is normally the appropriate route when you move.
Final Takeaway
Voter ID Address Change allows an existing voter to shift their electoral registration to their new ordinary residence. The Election Commission of India uses Form 8 for this process.
Apply through the official Voters’ Services Portal, select Shifting of Residence, enter your new address carefully and provide the applicable address proof. After submission, save the reference number and track the application.
Once the request is approved, verify that your name is enrolled at the new location. The ECI’s guidance states that the EPIC number generally remains the same after shifting residence, while a replacement EPIC may be issued for the new address.
For more practical guides on voter services, government documents and online citizen services, visit Sarkari Bakery.
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