One of the most overlooked but critical aspects of your EPF account is nominating the right person to receive your funds in case of your demise. With EPFO mandating the process to be done online through the UAN portal, here’s everything you need to know to file, edit, or validate your EPF e-nomination.
Why e-Nomination Matters
- Helps your family access your EPF corpus without delays.
- Avoids disputes in case of multiple family claimants.
- Required for smooth processing of withdrawal, pension, and insurance claims.
- EPFO services like claim filing may be restricted if nomination is missing.
Step 0: Mandatory KYC and Profile Checks Before You Start
Before you attempt filing the e-nomination, ensure that your UAN account is KYC-compliant. The following must be correctly updated:
| Field | Mandatory for Filing |
| Name (as per Aadhaar) | Yes |
| Date of Birth | Yes |
| Gender | Yes |
| Father’s/Husband’s Name | Yes |
| Marital Status | Yes |
| Aadhaar & Mobile linked | Yes |
| Photograph uploaded | Yes |
If any of these are incorrect, update them through your employer or raise a joint declaration before proceeding.
Who Can Be Nominated?
- Spouse, children, dependent parents: Most common nominees.
- You can assign one or multiple nominees, with a defined percentage share.
- If you don’t have a family, you may nominate anyone. But this becomes invalid once a family is acquired.
- Only family members can be nominated for pension purposes.
Checklist Before Filing (EPFO Rulebook)
| Relationship | Mandatory to Add? | Aadhaar Required | Remarks |
| Spouse | Yes | Yes | Mandatory if married |
| Dependent Mother | Optional | Yes | Advisable to add |
| Dependent Father | Optional | Yes | Advisable to add |
| Son(s) | Optional | Yes | Define % share |
| Daughter(s) | Optional | Yes | Define % share |
| Widow Mother | Optional | Yes | Female members only |
| Husband’s Dependent Mother | Optional | Yes | Female members only |
EPFO advises members to nominate all eligible family members and specify share (%) for each.
Step-by-Step Process to File e-Nomination
Step 1: Log in to the EPFO Member Portal
- Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
- Enter your UAN, password, and captcha to log in.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘e-Nomination’
- From the top menu, go to ‘Manage’ → ‘e-Nomination’
- This opens your profile data.
Note: If your KYC like Aadhaar, DOB, and Gender is incomplete or mismatched, the nomination screen won’t load. You will have to update these details through your employer before proceeding.
Step 3: Click ‘Proceed’
If your basic KYC is correct, you’ll be shown your profile screen (with photo and basic details).
Click ‘Proceed’ to continue with e-Nomination.
Step 4: Declare Your Family Status
You’ll be asked:
“Do you have a family?”
Click:
- ‘Yes’ if you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents.
- ‘No’ if you don’t (you’ll only be allowed to nominate one person,and it becomes void once you get married or have dependents).
Step 5: Add Family Member Details
Enter each family member’s:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Relation
- Aadhaar number (optional but recommended)
- Address
Click ‘Add Row’ to include multiple members.
Step 6: Save Family Details
After entering details for all nominees, click ‘Save Family Details’.
You’ll now be redirected to assign nominee shares.
Step 7: Set EPF Nominee Share
Now you’ll assign what % of your EPF balance goes to each family member.
For example:
- Spouse: 50%
- Child: 25%
- Parent: 25%
Total should be exactly 100%
Step 8: Confirm Nomination
After assigning the nominee share, click ‘Save EPF Nomination’.
Your entry is saved as a draft. Now you need to e-Sign to validate.
Step 9: Click on e-Sign
Click the e-Sign button. You’ll be redirected to the Aadhaar authentication screen.
You’ll be given two options:
- Use Aadhaar number
- Use Virtual ID (VID)
Step 10: Enter Aadhaar or VID
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number or 16-digit VID, and proceed.
Step 11: Verify via OTP
You’ll receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Enter the OTP to verify. If it matches, your nomination details will be digitally signed.
Step 12: Confirmation
You’ll get a confirmation message on the screen that your e-nomination has been successfully recorded.
You can now view, download, or update your e-nomination any time by revisiting the same portal.
How to Edit or Change Your Nomination
You can edit your e-nomination any time by re-submitting the form:
- Login → Manage → e-Nomination
- Click Add New Nomination
- e-Sign again to make it official
Your latest submission overrides the previous one.
This is especially useful when:
- A new family member is born
- There is a change in marital status
- You wish to redistribute shares
FAQs
Q1. Why is my e-nomination link not working?
Your profile might be incomplete (missing Aadhaar, gender, DOB, etc.). Update via employer or Joint Declaration.
Q2. Can I nominate someone outside my family?
Only if you don’t have a family at the time of filing. This becomes invalid once you acquire a family.
Q3. Do I need to upload any documents?
No documents are needed, but Aadhaar authentication is compulsory.
Q4. Is pension nomination separate?
Yes, pension nomination is allowed only for spouses or children. You’ll see a separate field for this during nomination.
Final Words
Your EPF is more than just a savings account — it’s a safety net for your family. Filing your e-nomination is free, easy, and essential. Make sure your profile is updated, and take 10 minutes today to file or review your nomination on the EPFO portal.
Secure Your PF Today — File Your e-Nomination in 10 Minutes
Don’t wait for an emergency. Update your nominee on the EPFO portal now to ensure your family gets your PF without delay or disputes.
👉 Need help? Visit CheckMyPF by FinRight to identify issues in your EPF account before it’s too late.
