Verify PAN Status Online 2026: Name, DOB, OTP & Safe PAN Checks
The Income Tax Department provides an official pre-login “Verify PAN Status” service. It lets you check whether a PAN is valid/active and whether the entered name and date of birth match the PAN database. It is not a public tool for discovering an unknown person's PAN from name and date of birth alone.
Quick answer
- You need the PAN number you want to verify.
- You enter the PAN, full name, date of birth/date of incorporation and an accessible mobile number.
- A 6-digit OTP is sent to that mobile number.
- The mobile number does not have to be registered on the e-Filing portal.
- For an individual user, one mobile number can verify up to 5 different PANs in a day according to the current Income Tax FAQ.
How to verify a PAN online
- Open the official Income Tax e-Filing portal.
- Under Quick Links, select Verify PAN Status.
- Enter the PAN number, full name, date of birth and an accessible mobile number.
- Enter the 6-digit OTP sent to the mobile number.
- After successful validation, the portal displays the PAN status.
Current OTP rule: The Income Tax Department says the OTP is valid for 15 minutes and allows up to three attempts.
What can this service verify?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the PAN valid/active? | Yes, the service can display PAN status after successful verification. |
| Does the name/DOB match the PAN database? | Yes, the service is designed to validate the entered PAN details. |
| Can I find an unknown PAN using only name and DOB? | Do not treat Verify PAN Status as a public reverse-search service; a PAN number is required in the verification workflow. |
| Must the OTP mobile be registered with PAN? | No. Any accessible valid mobile number can be used according to the official FAQ. |
If you forgot your own PAN number
Use only official Income Tax/PAN-service channels and records already belonging to you. Check your e-Filing account, Form 16/Form 16A, prior ITR acknowledgement, AIS/26AS records, bank/KYC records, or PAN service communications. Avoid websites claiming to reveal PAN numbers of unrelated persons from name, mobile number or date of birth.
PAN verification for businesses and external agencies
The Income Tax Department also supports PAN verification for registered external agencies. Bulk PAN/TAN verification is a separate controlled service requiring departmental approval. A business doing vendor/customer KYC should use the authorised service rather than scraping or purchasing PAN databases.
Common reasons verification fails
- Name entered differently from the PAN database.
- Wrong date of birth/date of incorporation.
- Incorrect PAN character.
- OTP expiry or more than the permitted attempts.
- PAN status issue requiring follow-up with the jurisdictional assessing officer or PAN service provider.
Security checklist
- Use the official Income Tax e-Filing domain.
- Never share PAN, Aadhaar or OTP with an unknown caller or messaging account.
- Do not pay an unofficial website merely to “search PAN by name”.
- For correction/reprint, use authorised PAN service channels.
- Store PAN copies only where there is a legitimate KYC/compliance need.
Frequently asked questions
Can I verify PAN without logging in?
Yes. Verify PAN Status is available as a pre-login service for normal users.
Does the OTP need to come on my PAN-registered mobile?
No. The official FAQ says any valid mobile number accessible to you can be used.
How many PANs can I verify with one mobile number?
The current Income Tax FAQ states that an individual taxpayer can verify up to five different PANs using one mobile number in a day.
Can I find another person's PAN from name and DOB?
The normal Verify PAN Status service requires the PAN number. Do not use or promote unauthorised reverse-search databases for another person's sensitive tax identifier.
Official references
Reviewed 19 August 2026. PAN is sensitive personal information; use official verification channels and only for legitimate purposes.
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