How to Get UAN Number: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
When it comes to verifying your employment history or managing your provident fund, the Universal Account Number (UAN) is one of the most important credentials for every employee in India. It connects all your PF accounts under one umbrella and makes it simple to check contributions, withdraw funds, or transfer accounts when you change jobs. Many people, however, are unsure how to find their UAN — especially if they have changed employers or never activated their EPFO account. Don’t worry — in this article, you’ll learn five simple and verified ways to locate your UAN, along with detailed instructions for each method.
What is a UAN (Universal Account Number)?
Before jumping into the steps, let’s understand what the UAN really is.
The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit identification number allotted by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to every member contributing to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). This number remains constant throughout your career, regardless of how many jobs you change.
Every time you join a new company, a new PF member ID is generated, but it gets linked to the same UAN — making it easier to keep your PF details organized under one account.
Your UAN allows you to:
- View and download your PF passbook.
- Transfer funds between old and new PF accounts.
- Withdraw your PF balance online.
- Update KYC details and personal information.
- Receive timely updates via SMS.
Now, let’s explore how you can find your UAN number easily.
Check Your Salary Slip
The simplest and quickest way to find your UAN is by looking at your monthly payslip. Most companies, especially medium and large-sized organizations, include your UAN and PF account number on your salary statement.
Take a close look at the “Provident Fund Details” or “EPF Account Section” on your payslip. You may find your UAN listed beside your PF Number or Employer Code.
If you cannot find it, contact your company’s HR or payroll department. They can easily share your UAN or help you generate it through the EPFO system.
Retrieve UAN from the EPFO Website
If your salary slip doesn’t show your UAN, you can easily retrieve it from the official EPFO portal. The website provides a dedicated service called “Know Your UAN” that helps employees find their UAN online in just a few steps.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Visit the official EPFO website.
- On the homepage, click on “Services” → “For Employees.”
- Now select “Member UAN/Online Service (OCS/OTCP).”
- Under “Important Links,” click on “Know Your UAN.”
- Enter your mobile number and the captcha code.
- Click “Request OTP” and verify your number.
- After verification, you’ll need to enter a few details — such as your name, date of birth, Aadhaar, PAN, or PF member ID.
- Click “Show My UAN.”
Locate UAN Through EPF Passbook
If you have previously logged in to your EPF portal, your UAN is already linked to your passbook. You can easily view it anytime online.
Follow these steps to check:
- Visit the EPF Passbook portal at https://passbook.epfindia.gov.in/.
- Log in with your UAN and password.
- Once logged in, select the relevant Member ID (employer name).
- You’ll now be able to view your PF balance, contributions, and your UAN displayed in the summary section.
This is one of the most reliable ways to confirm your UAN, especially if you’ve already registered and activated your EPFO account.
Use the UMANG App
The UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app is a government initiative that allows citizens to access various online services — including EPFO, PAN, Aadhaar, and more — all in one place.
To find your UAN through UMANG:
- Download and install the UMANG app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Open the app and log in or register using your mobile number.
- On the home screen, choose “EPFO” from the available services.
- Select the option “Know Your UAN.”
- Enter your Aadhaar number, member ID, or registered mobile number.
- You’ll receive an OTP for verification.
- Once verified, your UAN will be displayed on the screen.
The UMANG app is convenient because it lets you access your EPFO services anytime, without needing to visit the official website.
Find UAN via SMS or Missed Call
If your UAN is already activated, you can get your details through a simple SMS or missed call service offered by EPFO. This is especially useful if you don’t have internet access or prefer quick offline methods.
Method 1: SMS Service
Send an SMS from your registered mobile number to 7738299899 in this format:
EPFOHO UAN ENG
- “ENG” represents the language code (for English). You can also use HIN for Hindi, TAM for Tamil, etc.
- Within a few seconds, you’ll receive an SMS from EPFO containing your UAN and basic account details.
Method 2: Missed Call Service
Simply give a missed call to 011-22901406 from your registered mobile number.
You’ll get an automated message with your UAN number and PF details.
Why Knowing Your UAN is Important
Your UAN is much more than a number — it’s the key to managing your Provident Fund effectively. Here’s why you should always keep it handy:
- Faster Background Verification: Many employers request UAN details during verification to confirm your employment history.
- Easy PF Withdrawals: You can withdraw or transfer your PF amount online instantly using your UAN.
- Simplifies Job Changes: Your UAN remains the same even when you change jobs, linking all your PF accounts under one umbrella.
- Instant Notifications: You receive SMS alerts for every deposit or change in your EPF account.
- KYC & Security: UAN ensures your PF is linked with Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details — minimizing the risk of fraud.
Common Issues While Finding UAN
Sometimes, users face problems when trying to locate their UAN. Here are common reasons and how to fix them:
- Incorrect mobile number: Ensure you use the number registered with EPFO.
- Mismatch in personal details: Double-check your date of birth, Aadhaar, and PAN details while verifying.
- Inactive UAN: If your UAN hasn’t been activated, contact your employer or visit the EPFO office to enable it.
- Multiple UANs: In case of multiple UANs due to job changes, raise a request to merge them through your current employer or EPFO helpdesk.
Still Can’t Find Your UAN?
If you’ve tried all the methods above but still can’t access your UAN, don’t panic. You can contact the EPFO helpdesk or your HR department for assistance.
EPFO Helpline: 1800-118-005
Working Hours: Monday to Friday (9:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
Alternatively, you can email your issue to: support@epfindia.gov.in with your name, registered mobile number, and employer details.
Final Thoughts
Finding your Universal Account Number (UAN) isn’t complicated — you just need to know the right method. Whether you check your salary slip, log in to the EPFO portal, use the UMANG app, or rely on SMS services, you can easily get your UAN within minutes.
Having your UAN ready will not only make your background verification process faster but also help you manage your Provident Fund account efficiently.
If you still face issues or technical difficulties, don’t hesitate to contact your HR or the EPFO support team. They’ll help you activate and access your UAN smoothly.