How to Get UAN Number Online: EPFO Retrieval Guide

If you need proof of employment for a loan or you've lost your UAN, you need to know how to get UAN number. This guide shows how to get UAN number fast. You can find it on your salary slip or retrieve it online via the EPFO portal. Your Universal Account Number (UAN) is a permanent 12-digit identifier that EPFO assigns to all EPF contributors. Unlike your employer-specific Member ID, your UAN stays with you across all jobs.

Key Takeaways

Your UAN appears on monthly salary slips in the PF section. Check there first. To know how to get UAN number online, visit epfindia.gov.in and use "Know Your UAN." Follow four steps: enter registered mobile, verify OTP, provide date of birth and ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or Member ID), and click "Show My UAN." If your registered mobile changed, your HR must submit a mobile update to EPFO. After you find your UAN, complete Aadhaar-UAN linking on the member portal.

What Is Your UAN Number and Why Does It Matter?

A UAN is your permanent EPF identifier. It consolidates all provident fund contributions across all your employers in one account. Each time you switch jobs, your UAN stays the same. You get a new employer-specific Member ID at each job. This confuses people because both numbers appear on salary slips.

Your Member ID is used only at that company. Your UAN is used your entire career. When you apply for a personal loan, lenders ask for your UAN and EPF passbook to verify employment. Having your UAN makes this process faster.

Most salary slips print your UAN in "PF Deductions" or "Statutory Deductions." It's labeled "UAN" and is always 12 digits with no letters. Check your current or past salary slip. You might also find it on your Form 16, EPF annual statement, or appointment letter.

How Can You Get Your UAN Number from Your Salary Slip?

This is the fastest way. Open your most recent salary slip and look for the "PF Deductions" section. You'll see several numbers:

Employee ID
Member ID or PF Account Number
UAN

The UAN is always 12 digits. Like 123456789012. No letters. No special characters.

If you don't have a current salary slip, check older ones from any employer in the last three years. All salary slips show your UAN. Other documents with your UAN include:

Form 16 (tax certificate)
EPF passbook
UAN letter from employer
Appointment letter

If no document has your UAN, use the online method below.

How Can You Get Your UAN Number Online Using EPFO?

The EPFO "Know Your UAN" tool retrieves your number in five minutes. Here's how to get UAN number online step by step.

Step 1: Go to EPFO Portal

Open https://epfindia.gov.in in your browser. Click "Services" at top. Click "For Employees." Click "Member UAN/Online Service." Look for "Know Your UAN" or "Show My UAN" and click it.

Step 2: Enter Your Registered Mobile

Enter the mobile number you gave to EPFO at enrollment. Enter the security code. Click "Send OTP."

An SMS arrives in 30 seconds with a one-time password. Enter it and click "Validate." If the SMS doesn't come, your registered mobile may have changed (see troubleshooting below).

Step 3: Provide Personal Details and ID Proof

After OTP verification, enter your full name and date of birth exactly as they appear in EPFO records. Choose one form of ID:

Aadhaar: Easiest option
PAN: Your tax Permanent Account Number
Member ID: Your PF Account Number from salary slip

All three work the same. Pick whichever you have.

Step 4: View and Note Your UAN

Click "Show My UAN." Your 12-digit UAN shows in a popup. Take a screenshot or write it down right away. The portal doesn't email it, so you must capture it yourself.

What Should You Do If Your Registered Mobile Number Changed?

This is why most people can't retrieve their UAN online. When you reach the OTP screen and the SMS never arrives, your registered mobile with EPFO doesn't match your current phone.

EPFO requires OTP authentication for all member services. There's no way around this step. If your registered mobile is inactive, you can't self-serve.

If You Still Work at Your Current Employer

Contact your HR department. Explain that your registered mobile needs updating. Your HR must submit a joint declaration to EPFO. This is a standard process. Processing takes 2 to 5 working days. After that, retry the portal with your new mobile. The OTP will arrive.

If You've Changed Jobs or Can't Reach HR

Visit your nearest EPFO regional office. Bring your Aadhaar or PAN and government ID. Tell staff you need UAN verification and mobile number update. Submit a written application with your old and new mobile numbers. They'll process it in a few days, in person or by mail.

Find your EPFO office on epfindia.gov.in under "Contact Us." Search by state and city.

Why This Matters for Your Loan

When you compare personal loan offers on BankCreds, lenders require proof of employment. Your UAN gets you access to your EPF passbook. This proves employment and income. Fixing mobile number issues now prevents delays when your loan application is being processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a UAN and Member ID?

UAN is permanent and follows you across all employers. Member ID is employer-specific and changes at each job. Only UAN stays with you your whole career. Both appear on your salary slip, which confuses people.

Where do I find the UAN on my salary slip?

Look in "PF Deductions" or "Statutory Deductions." The UAN is labeled "UAN" and is always 12 digits with no letters or hyphens. If your payroll doesn't print it, check your Form 16 or EPF statement.

What if I don't have my registered mobile number anymore?

Check your documents first: salary slips, Form 16, and appointment letters usually show your UAN. If you have no documents, ask your HR to submit a mobile update to EPFO (2 to 5 days). Or visit your nearest EPFO office in person with your Aadhaar or PAN.

Can I use only Aadhaar without the OTP?

No, OTP is required to start the retrieval process on EPFO portal. After you enter the OTP, you then choose to verify with Aadhaar, PAN, or Member ID. You can't skip the OTP step.

Do I need to link my Aadhaar to my UAN now?

Aadhaar-UAN linking is not required to retrieve your UAN. But it's required before you file an online EPF withdrawal or transfer claim. If you might need to withdraw EPF soon, link now. Go to unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in, click Manage, then KYC, and add your Aadhaar.

How long does it take to retrieve my UAN online?

OTP arrives in seconds. The whole process from entering your mobile to viewing your UAN takes 3 to 5 minutes if everything works smoothly.

What should I do if I get an error saying "Member not found"?

The information you entered doesn't match EPFO records. Double-check your name spelling and date of birth. Verify the mobile number matches what your employer used at enrollment. If it still fails, call your HR to confirm what's registered with EPFO. Or visit an EPFO office.

After getting my UAN, what's next for my loan application?

Go to unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in and log in. Complete your KYC by adding Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account. Download your passbook. This is your proof of EPF contributions and employment. Lenders ask for this when you apply for a personal loan. Have it ready before you compare loan offers on BankCreds to speed up approval.