Aadhaar copy for hotel check-in: share a masked one

Give a masked copy

When a hotel asks for ID, it generally needs to see who you are and where you live, not your full Aadhaar number. A masked Aadhaar shows only the last 4 digits and keeps your name, photo and address, which is usually enough for check-in. If the property insists on something else, it will tell you.

Check-in copies are easy to lose track of: they're photographed at the front desk, forwarded on WhatsApp, printed and filed. A masked copy limits what anyone can do with it later.

Make one before you travel

Prepare the copy at home, so you're not doing it at the reception counter:

1. Open Mask Aadhaar on your phone or laptop and add a photo or PDF of your card. Front and back can go in together.
2. The first 8 digits, the VID and the QR code are covered automatically.
3. Tick Phone number and Date of birth too if they appear and the hotel doesn't need them.
4. Export as a PDF or image and keep it in a folder you can reach offline.

When you book, send this file instead of the original. For a printout, print the masked version so the paper copy is masked too.

Hide the QR code

Covering the printed number isn't enough if the QR code is still there, because it can be scanned to read your details. What does the Aadhaar QR code contain? explains what's in it.

If staff ask to scan the QR code on your physical card, that's different from you sending them a copy. Ask what it's for, and decide then.

If they want another ID

Many places accept other government IDs. Whichever you give, the same idea applies: keep what proves who you are, hide what doesn't.

• Passport: hide the passport and file numbers if they aren't needed. See Redact passport.
• Driving licence: hide the licence number and relative's name. See Blur driving licence.
• Voter ID: hide the EPIC number and relative's name. See Blur voter ID.

Foreign nationals are usually asked for a passport and visa rather than Aadhaar; check with the hotel what it needs.