Officially Valid Documents (OVDs) for KYC — Complete List for POA and POI

Officially Valid Documents (OVDs) are government-recognised documents that prove your identity and address for KYC. They include the passport, Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence, NREGA job card and a National Population Register letter. If your ID does not show your current address, a recent utility bill can be used as address proof. PAN is not an OVD, but it is needed separately where applicable.

• Use an OVD for identity proof, and for address proof where it shows your current address.
• A utility bill can be used for address proof when your ID has an old address.
• PAN is required separately, or Form 60 if you do not have one.
• Clear scans, matching names and matching addresses prevent rejection.
• Never share your OTP, and share documents only on Bajaj Finance's official channels.

Tip: Never share your OTP or send your documents through links or messages from unknown sources. Submit KYC only through the Bajaj Finance app, website or an official representative.

Officially Valid Documents (OVD) are government-recognised identity and address proof documents required for completing Know Your Customer (KYC) formalities. They are required under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) KYC Master Direction and other regulations to confirm the identity and address of individuals engaging in financial transactions.

For individuals, documents categorised as OVDs include the Passport, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Driving Licence, NREGA Job Card (duly signed by a State Government official) and a letter issued by the National Population Register.

The use of OVDs is central to KYC compliance and to reducing risks like identity theft, fraud and money laundering. Institutions verify these documents during onboarding or account activation to meet regulatory standards.

In some cases, individuals may need to submit supplementary documents if their primary OVD lacks updated address details. Financial institutions are required to maintain these records digitally or physically, depending on the mode of KYC. OVDs are required when applying for loans and other financial services.

Proof of Identity (POI) establishes the legal identity of an individual. It involves submitting valid government-issued documents that clearly show the person's name and identifying details. Financial institutions rely on POI documents to authenticate customers during onboarding and prevent impersonation or fraud.

Acceptable POI documents include the Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID Card, Driving Licence, NREGA Job Card and a National Population Register letter. Each document should be current and legible, with no evidence of tampering.

You may be asked for another document if details on one document are missing or unclear. In such cases, multiple POI documents may be cross-verified to confirm authenticity.

POI verification helps financial institutions comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Keeping your POI documents up to date and matched with official records can prevent delays. In digital and video KYC, clear images or scans of POI documents are required to complete electronic verification.

Proof of Address (POA) verifies the residential address of the customer. It ensures that individuals can be traced to a specific location, which supports regulatory compliance, fraud prevention and secure service delivery.

Documents that qualify as POA include the Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, NREGA Job Card and National Population Register letter, where they show your current address. If your OVD does not show your current address, a utility bill (such as electricity, piped gas, water or telephone) not more than two months old can be used.

When submitting POA, make sure the document includes your full name and a complete, clearly mentioned residential address. Discrepancies between the POA and the submitted POI may raise verification issues, so update your address with the relevant authority before using the document for KYC.

Some documents may be accepted as both POI and POA, such as a Passport or Aadhaar Card, but additional POA may still be requested in case of address mismatches. For digital KYC, the uploaded POA must be a high-quality scan or image showing all details clearly, without cropping.

Proper POA submission is particularly important in services like loan processing, where address validation is critical.

Digital KYC and Video KYC let customers complete their KYC remotely, without visiting a branch. These processes use facial recognition, OTP-based Aadhaar validation and live video interaction with a verification officer to confirm identity and address.

In digital KYC, the customer uploads scanned copies or images of their documents, such as Aadhaar, and PAN where required, through a secure portal or mobile application. The documents are then verified electronically.

Video KYC involves a live video session with a KYC officer. During the session, the individual displays their original documents, and the officer matches the face on camera with the submitted ID proofs. The session also includes location tagging and time stamping to meet regulatory requirements.

These methods reduce processing time and documentation errors, and they are permitted under RBI's KYC framework.

The Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a unique ten-character alphanumeric number issued by the Income Tax Department of India. PAN is not an OVD, but it is required separately for most financial transactions, such as applying for loans or credit cards, investing in mutual funds, and share market transactions. It helps financial institutions link an individual to their tax records.

PAN is also used to check for duplicate identities.

If you do not have a PAN, you may be asked for Form 60 along with a declaration. Make sure the details on your PAN match your other documents.

Utility bills can be used as proof of address when your OVD does not show your current address. Bills for electricity, piped gas, water supply and telephone services are accepted.

To be valid, a utility bill must be not more than two months old and contain your full name and complete residential address. Utility bills are especially useful for tenants and for people who have recently moved and not yet updated their government-issued ID.

When submitting a utility bill, make sure the document is clear and legible and shows the service provider's name, issue date and billing period. A printed or digitally generated e-bill is acceptable if it meets the lender's authenticity standards.

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) must follow specific guidelines when completing KYC. The documents required depend on the product and the lender's policy, so check the requirements for your product before applying.

NRIs may be asked for certified or notarised copies of their passport (as POI) and a valid overseas address proof (as POA). Accepted address documents may include utility bills, bank statements or residence permits issued by foreign authorities. These documents may need to be attested by an Indian Embassy, Notary Public or authorised bank official abroad.

NRIs may also need to provide a PAN card for tax compliance, and a Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) declaration may be required for U.S.-based NRIs.

Depending on the lender, NRIs may be able to complete KYC through video calls, scanned document uploads and e-signatures.

KYC is a required step in the loan approval process. Lenders use it to verify your identity and address and to comply with regulatory norms under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

When applying for any form of credit, such as a personal loan, home loan or business loan, applicants must submit valid OVDs for POA and POI.

A complete and up-to-date KYC profile helps avoid delays, as the lender can verify your identity and address quickly. Incomplete or outdated KYC information may delay your application or lead to its rejection.

In digital loan applications, e-KYC and video KYC can reduce the time taken to verify your documents.

• Submitting expired or unclear documents: Ensure that all identity and address proof documents are valid and legible. Faded images or outdated expiry dates often lead to rejection.
• Providing address proof that does not match POI: The address on the document should align with your proof of identity when required. Inconsistencies delay verification.
• Ignoring spelling mismatches in name fields: Minor spelling differences in names across documents can cause authentication failures. Always cross-check and update official records as needed.
• Uploading poor-quality images during e-KYC: Blurry or cropped photos of documents may be flagged as invalid. Use high-resolution scans or images taken in good lighting.
• Skipping PAN card submission when required: Many financial services mandate PAN for verification and reporting. Omitting this can result in incomplete KYC.
• Using non-OVD documents not accepted by the institution: Only submit documents listed as officially valid by regulatory authorities. Others may not meet compliance standards.
• Failing to declare NRI or FATCA status correctly: For NRIs or U.S. persons, failure to disclose FATCA details can lead to legal or operational complications.
• Not verifying documents after online uploads: Always review the uploaded files to ensure clarity, completeness, and that the correct documents have been submitted.
• Rushing through digital forms: Mistakes in digital KYC forms, such as an incorrect date of birth or address, may require re-submission.
• Neglecting to check submission acknowledgements: After online submission, confirm that your application has been received and is under review. This helps you avoid missed follow-ups.

You may need to update your KYC details when your address, name or contact details change, or when a document expires.

Sign in to My Account or the Bajaj Finance app using your registered mobile number and OTP, then open the profile or KYC update option. Enter the updated information and upload clear, complete copies of the new OVD, such as Aadhaar or a utility bill. Make sure the documents are within their validity period.

You will receive an acknowledgement after you submit your request. You may also be asked to complete a video KYC or an in-person verification. The OTP is confidential, so never share it with anyone.

Completing KYC on time helps you use loan and other financial services without interruption. It confirms your identity and address with the lender, and it is a required step before a loan application can move forward. When your KYC is complete and current, there is less for the lender to ask you for later.

• Fewer delays during your application. The lender can verify your identity and address when you apply, so your application is less likely to stall on a missing or unclear document. Incomplete or outdated KYC information may delay your application or lead to its rejection.
   
• Less repeated paperwork. With KYC already on record, you are less likely to be asked for the same documents again when you apply for another product or request a service.
   
• Protection for your account. Verified identity and address details help prevent someone else from misusing your details or acting on your account without your knowledge.
   
• Reliable communication. A current address and contact details help make sure that loan statements, notices and other important communication reach you.
   
• Fewer problems later. Name or address mismatches are easier to correct when you notice them early. If you update your KYC when your address, name or contact details change, you avoid last-minute document requests at the time of a loan application or service request.

Keep your documents and details current, and update your KYC in My Account or the Bajaj Finance app whenever your address, name or contact details change. The OTP is confidential, so never share it with anyone.