DigiLocker Sign Up: Steps, Documents and Sharing Safely

DigiLocker sign up takes about five minutes if your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active. After that, you can fetch your licence, marksheets and ID cards on your phone instead of hunting for paper copies.

What DigiLocker is

DigiLocker is a government cloud platform for storing, sharing and verifying documents. The official site describes it as a flagship Digital India initiative from the Ministry of Electronics and IT. It reports more than 70 crore registered users.

The platform holds many document types. Examples include Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, driving licences, vehicle registration certificates and academic marksheets. So it can replace a folder of loose papers for everyday use.

DigiLocker sign up: step by step

You can register on the website or in the app, which is available on the Play Store, App Store and the Gov.in app store. The steps are the same on both.

1. Choose Sign Up and enter your mobile number. It must be the one linked to Aadhaar.
2. Enter the OTP sent to that number.
3. Enter your Aadhaar number and verify it with a second OTP.
4. Set a 6-digit security PIN.
5. Choose a username and password.

If your mobile number has changed, update it at an Aadhaar centre first. Otherwise the OTP will never reach you. Our guide to updating your Aadhaar address online covers the related steps.

How to fetch your documents

Once you are logged in, open the Issued Documents section. Then select the option to get more issued documents, or use the search icon. Next, choose the department that issued the document, then pick the document type.

Enter the detail it asks for, such as a licence number or date of birth. Finally, tap Get Document. It then appears in your Issued Documents list, ready to view or share.

Issued vs uploaded documents

This difference matters. Issued documents are pulled directly from the department that created them, and they carry that department’s digital signature. Uploaded documents are scans you add yourself.

Because uploaded files are not signed by the issuer, many offices will treat them as ordinary copies. So whenever possible, fetch the issued version. According to DigiLocker guides, uploads can be PDF, JPEG or PNG files of up to 10 MB each, with 1 GB of space for them. Check the app for current limits.

Sharing documents safely

Open a document and choose Share. You can send a link, an email or a document URI. However, a shared link is still a copy of your data, so share only what the other side needs.

You can also revoke access later from the Activity or Consent settings. Make a habit of checking it after you share something sensitive, such as an ID card. Also, protect your security PIN, because anyone who knows it can approve access to your account.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a mobile number that is no longer linked to Aadhaar, so the OTP never arrives.
• Uploading a blurry scan and expecting it to count like an issued document.
• Sharing a link with a stranger and forgetting to revoke it afterwards.
• Assuming every office accepts a digital copy. Some forms still ask for originals, so carry one when it is stated.

Finally, if you worry about identity misuse, you can also lock your Aadhaar biometrics. It is a separate step, but the two work well together.

FAQ

Is DigiLocker free to use?

Yes. Registering and storing documents costs nothing. You only need an Aadhaar-linked mobile number to sign up.

What is the difference between issued and uploaded documents?

Issued documents are fetched from the department that created them and carry its digital signature. Uploaded documents are your own scans, so they carry less weight.

Can I use DigiLocker if my mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar?

Not for the standard sign up, because the OTP goes to the linked number. Update your number at an Aadhaar centre first, then register.