Last updated 12 Nov 2026
For most loans a lender asks for three groups of papers: KYC papers that prove who you are and where you live, income papers that show you can repay, and papers specific to the loan, such as property documents for a home loan or an admission letter for an education loan. KYC stands for "know your customer", and every regulated lender must complete it before lending. You can often do it online using Aadhaar-based verification, a central KYC record, or a live video call, and keeping papers ready makes the whole process faster.
This guide explains each KYC route, lists the papers by applicant profile, and tells you how to protect your Aadhaar and PAN when you share them. It does not list a lender's exact requirements, which differ by product and lender. The lender's checklist on your file is the final word.
The KYC papers
What is asked and why
| Paper | What it proves | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PAN | Identity and tax record; links to your credit report and income | Needed for most loans; name must match other papers |
| Aadhaar | Identity and address; used for verification with your consent | Share a masked copy where allowed; never share the one-time code |
| Passport | Identity and address | Useful for NRIs and study abroad |
| Driving licence | Identity and address | Must be valid |
| Voter ID | Identity and address | Address must be current or backed by another paper |
| Job card under the rural employment scheme | Identity and address | Accepted as an officially valid document |
| Recent photograph | Identity check | As the lender specifies |
| Signature proof | Specimen signature | Matches the account and agreement |
Where your current address differs from the address on the paper, lenders usually accept a recent utility bill, bank statement or rent agreement as supporting proof. See CKYC and Video KYC for definitions.
Three ways to complete KYC
Routes compared
| Route | How it works | What you need | Points to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documents in person or by upload | You provide copies; the lender checks them against the originals or by other means | Papers from the list above | The traditional route; the lender may visit you to verify |
| Aadhaar-based e-KYC | With your consent, the lender verifies you through a one-time code sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile | Aadhaar, mobile linked to Aadhaar | Fast. Read what you are consenting to; never share the code with an agent |
| Central KYC record (CKYC) | The lender fetches your existing KYC record from the central registry using your identifier | Your CKYC identifier or PAN, as the lender asks | Saves repeat submission; check that the record is correct |
| Video KYC | A live, recorded video call with the lender's official, who checks your face and papers | A smartphone, good light, your original PAN and an identity paper | Used when you cannot visit; allowed under RBI rules in set conditions |
How Video KYC works
- The lender sends a link by SMS or email to the number you gave. Open it only from a message you expected.
- You allow the camera, microphone and location, as the lender asks.
- The official asks you to hold your original PAN and another identity paper to the camera, and may ask questions about your application.
- The call is recorded. Sit alone in good light, with a plain background.
- If the connection fails, ask for a new link. Never share the link with others.
Papers by applicant profile
Income and other papers
| Profile | Income papers usually asked | Other papers |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried | Recent salary slips, bank statement showing salary credits, Form 16 or income tax return | Employment proof or ID card, appointment letter for new joiners |
| Self-employed professional | Income tax returns with computation, bank statements, professional registration | Office address proof, qualification proof |
| Business owner | Income tax returns and financial statements, GST returns where applicable, bank statements | Business registration, ownership proof, address proof of the business |
| Pensioner | Pension payment order, bank statements showing pension | Age proof, identity papers |
| NRI | Salary slips or contract abroad, overseas bank statements, NRE or NRO account statements | Passport, visa or work permit, power of attorney where needed |
| Student | Co-applicant's income papers | Admission letter, fee schedule, mark sheets |
See ITR and Loan eligibility and FOIR to see how lenders use your income papers. For loan-specific papers, read the section on documents on each loan page, for example home loan documents.
Papers that depend on the loan
Examples
| Loan | Extra papers |
|---|---|
| Home loan or loan against property | Sale deed or agreement, title chain, approved plan, tax receipts, valuation, encumbrance certificate |
| Car or two-wheeler loan | Dealer quotation or proforma invoice, later the registration certificate |
| Business loan | Business vintage proof, GST and income tax returns, bank statements, list of existing loans |
| Education loan | Admission letter, fee schedule, academic records, co-applicant papers |
| Gold loan | Ornaments, ownership declaration, identity papers |
| Loan against shares | Demat statement, pledge authorisation, bank details |
How to keep your papers and your data safe
- Share Aadhaar as a masked copy where the lender allows, with only the last four digits visible.
- Never share a one-time code, PIN or password with anyone, including someone who says they are from the lender.
- Send papers only through the lender's secure upload or your LOANZ 360 account, and not through a personal chat or an unknown email.
- Write the purpose and date on any copy you give, so it cannot be reused for another purpose.
- Do not hand over original documents unless the sanction says so and you get a receipt.
- Keep an index of what you gave, to whom and when.
- Withdraw consent in writing if you stop the application, and ask the lender what it keeps and why.
The borrower's consent is the basis of any check or sharing of data. LOANZ 360 asks for consent item by item, masks personal data by default and stores data in India. Sign-in is protected and can include a one-time code sent to your mobile. Read Your data and Digital lending safety.
A worked checklist for a salaried borrower
A salaried employee in Bengaluru wants a personal loan. The checklist: PAN, Aadhaar-linked mobile, a recent photograph, the last three months of salary slips, the last six months of the salary account statement, Form 16 for the latest year, an address proof if different from Aadhaar, and the employee ID. The employee checks that the name and date of birth match across every paper, because a mismatch is one of the commonest reasons for delay. Then the employee uploads masked copies and completes e-KYC with consent.
Common reasons for delay and how to avoid them
Delays and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Name differs between PAN, Aadhaar and bank | Correct the record at the source before applying, or attach a name-change proof |
| Mobile not linked to Aadhaar | Link it first, or use another permitted route |
| Blurred or cut-off scans | Scan flat, in good light, all four corners visible |
| Old address proof | Use a bill or statement from the last few months |
| Bank statement missing pages | Download the full statement from your bank for the period asked |
| Income not matching returns | Explain differences in writing and attach proof |
| Unsigned forms or wrong signature | Sign as on the bank account |
Frequently asked questions
Is Aadhaar compulsory for a loan?
It is one of the officially valid documents. A lender may accept other papers such as a passport, driving licence or voter ID for identity and address. If you use Aadhaar for verification, you do so with your consent. Ask the lender what it accepts.
What is CKYC?
It is a central registry of KYC records. Once your KYC is stored there, a lender can fetch it with your details instead of asking for the same papers again. Check that the record is correct and up to date.
Is Video KYC safe?
It is an RBI-permitted method when done by the lender as the rules require. Use only the link the lender sent to your registered number, keep the call private and never share your one-time code.
Can I send my Aadhaar by WhatsApp?
Avoid sending identity papers through personal chats. Use the lender's secure upload or app, and share a masked copy where allowed.
What if my address has changed?
Give a current address proof, such as a recent utility bill or rent agreement, along with the paper that shows the old address. Update your address with the bank and the lender.
Do I need to give original documents?
For most unsecured loans, no. For secured loans, a lender may hold originals such as property papers until you repay. Get a written list and a receipt, and read the guide on getting your documents back after closure.
Related reading: Loan eligibility and FOIR, Home loan documents, Digital lending safety, How to get your NOC, Co-applicant vs guarantor, Credit score and credit report, CKYC, Video KYC, Your data, How it works.