How to Reissue a Lost LIC Policy Document Online Guide

Losing an LIC policy bond is more common than most people expect — policies are often taken out decades ago, stored in a cupboard, and forgotten until they're suddenly needed for a claim, a loan, or simply to check the sum assured. The confusing part is that most searches for "LIC duplicate policy online" lead to instructions for a formal, paperwork-heavy legal process — when in many cases, all you actually need is a downloadable copy of your policy document, which genuinely is available online in minutes. This guide separates the two clearly: the fast digital option, and the full legal duplicate-bond process for when you actually need one.

Option 1: Download an E-Copy of Your Policy Online (Fastest, Fully Digital)

If your goal is simply to have a copy of your policy details — sum assured, terms, nominee details, premium schedule — for reference, a loan application, or general safekeeping, you don't need to go through the formal duplicate-bond process at all. LIC's Customer Portal lets registered policyholders download a digital copy of their policy document directly.

1. Go to the official LIC website, licindia.in, and click "Customer Portal" or "e-Services" login.
2. If you haven't registered before, click "New User" and register using your policy number, date of birth, and other requested identity details.
3. Log in with your registered user ID and password.
4. Navigate to your policy list, select the relevant policy, and look for a "Download" or "Policy Document" option.
5. Download the PDF copy of your policy bond details for your records.

Important distinction: this digital copy is useful for reference and many administrative purposes, but it is not the same as a legally reissued original duplicate bond. If a specific transaction — such as certain loan-against-policy applications, assignment, or a maturity claim — explicitly requires the original physical bond or a formal duplicate, you'll need to follow the full process below instead.

Option 2: Getting a Legally Reissued Duplicate Policy Bond (Physical Process)

If you specifically need a formal duplicate policy bond — for example, because your insurer or a lender requires the physical document — LIC does not currently offer a fully online path for this. It requires submitting specific documents at your servicing branch. Here's the complete process, step by step.

Step 1: Inform LIC and Submit a Written Declaration

Contact your LIC branch or agent as soon as you realize the policy bond is lost. You'll need to submit a written declaration or application stating that the original document is lost, along with your policy number and personal identification details.

Step 2: File a Police Report (FIR) if Required

If the policy bond was lost due to theft, or for higher-value policies, LIC typically requires a copy of an FIR filed at your local police station as proof of loss before proceeding with the duplicate issuance.

Step 3: Publish a Newspaper Advertisement (In Most Cases)

For a standard lost-document case, LIC requires you to place an advertisement in an English, Hindi, or regional-language newspaper with wide circulation in the state where the bond was lost. This ad needs to run for a full month, after which you submit a copy of the printed advertisement to LIC. If no objections are raised during that month, LIC proceeds with issuing the duplicate.

You can skip the newspaper advertisement step if the loss falls under one of these specific circumstances:

• The document was stolen (with a supporting FIR)
• It was destroyed by fire
• It was lost while in the custody of a government office
• It was mutilated or significantly damaged
• It was partially damaged by white ants (termites), with the remaining portion submitted as evidence
• It was torn, with a part of it missing

Step 4: Prepare an Indemnity Bond (Form 3756)

Since a policy bond is a legal document, you're required to submit an indemnity bond as part of the duplicate application. Request Form 3756 from your LIC branch, and have it printed on non-judicial stamp paper. The required stamp paper value varies by state, so confirm the exact amount with your branch before preparing it.

Step 5: Submit Your Application and Pay the Applicable Fees

Submit your completed application, indemnity bond, newspaper advertisement copy (if applicable), and any other requested documents at your servicing LIC branch. A duplicate policy fee applies — commonly cited as around ₹75 plus approximately ₹0.20 per ₹1,000 of Sum Assured as policy stamp charges, with an additional 18% GST on top. Confirm the exact current fee with your branch, since charges can be revised.

Step 6: Collect Your Duplicate Policy Bond

Once LIC verifies your documents and application, a duplicate policy bond will be issued, clearly marked "Duplicate Copy" on its pages. You'll typically need to visit the branch in person to collect it and provide your consent — if that's not possible, LIC can send it to your registered address instead.

What If You Don't Know Your Policy Number?

It's common to lose track of the policy number along with the physical bond, especially for older policies. If this happens to you:

• Contact your original LIC agent, if you remember who sold you the policy — they can typically look up your policy details using your name and date of birth.
• Visit or call your nearest LIC branch with your name, date of birth, and any other identifying details you have (address at the time of purchase, approximate policy start year).
• Check old premium payment receipts, bank statements showing premium debits, or old emails/SMS from LIC, which often reference the policy number.

Can You Claim or Use an LIC Policy Without the Original Bond?

In many cases, yes — LIC's records are the authoritative source of your policy details, not the physical paper itself, and most claims (maturity, death benefit, surrender) can proceed based on LIC's internal records and your identity verification, even without producing the original bond, provided you complete the necessary lost-document formalities described above where required. That said, for certain specific transactions — particularly taking a loan against your policy — some processes may specifically require either the original or a legally reissued duplicate, so it's worth confirming directly with your branch what's needed for your specific situation before assuming either path is sufficient.

Tips to Avoid This Problem in the Future

• Download a digital copy now, even if your bond is safe. Log in to the LIC Customer Portal and save a PDF copy of every active policy — takes a few minutes and saves significant hassle later.
• Register for LIC's online portal early if you haven't already, since registration itself requires original policy details that are much easier to provide before anything goes missing.
• Store physical bonds somewhere memorable and safe — a bank locker or a fixed, fireproof document folder rather than loose paperwork that can be misplaced during a move or a cleanup.
• Keep a simple written record (or a spreadsheet) of policy numbers, sum assured, and maturity dates for every policy you hold, separate from the physical documents themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a duplicate LIC policy bond fully online?

Not the full legal duplicate bond — that process requires submitting an indemnity bond and other documents at your servicing branch. However, you can download a digital copy of your policy document instantly through the LIC Customer Portal, which covers most reference and administrative needs.

Do I always need to file an FIR if I lose my LIC policy bond?

An FIR is typically required if the document was stolen, or in some cases for higher-value policies. For a simple misplaced document, LIC's standard process instead involves a written declaration and a newspaper advertisement, unless a specific exception (fire damage, government custody loss, etc.) applies.

How much does it cost to get a duplicate LIC policy bond?

Charges are commonly cited as around ₹75 plus approximately ₹0.20 per ₹1,000 of Sum Assured in policy stamp charges, plus 18% GST on top. Confirm the current exact fee with your branch, as charges can be revised over time.

Is a newspaper advertisement always required to get a duplicate policy bond?

No — it's required for a standard lost-document case, but can be skipped if the loss was due to theft (with an FIR), fire damage, loss while in government custody, mutilation, termite damage, or if the document was torn with a part missing.

Can I claim my LIC policy maturity benefit without the original bond?

In most cases, yes — LIC's internal records are the authoritative source for your policy, and claims can typically proceed with proper identity verification and completion of any required lost-document formalities. Confirm with your branch for your specific policy and claim type, since requirements can vary.

How do I find my LIC policy number if I've lost the document and don't remember it?

Contact your original LIC agent if you know who sold you the policy, or visit/call your nearest LIC branch with your name, date of birth, and any other identifying details. Old premium payment receipts, bank statements, or past emails/SMS from LIC often reference the policy number as well.

How long does it take to get a duplicate LIC policy bond?

Timelines vary depending on whether a newspaper advertisement is required (which itself involves a mandatory one-month waiting period after publication) and how quickly your branch processes the indemnity bond and application. Cases requiring the newspaper ad step generally take longer than exception cases (theft, fire damage, etc.) that skip it.

Last updated: 13 August 2026.