Kedarnath Registration: How to Register Online & Offline

Facts checked November 2026.

Kedarnath registration is the first thing to finish when you plan darshan of Baba Kedar. It is free, it takes a few minutes, and without it you can be stopped on the road to Gaurikund. This guide covers only Kedarnath. If you are doing all four dhams, read our Char Dham registration guide as well.

This page is part of our Kedarnath Yatra Guide. Planning the yatra? See our Kedarnath yatra packages.

Is registration compulsory for Kedarnath?

Yes. In 2026 the authorities made registration compulsory for every yatri on the Char Dham route, Kedarnath included. You could register on the official Uttarakhand tourism portal or at an offline centre. The yatra registration pass with its QR code had to be carried at all times.

The government portal calls registration a “free exercise” and links it to yatra monitoring and safety. It helps the administration know how many people are on the route, and lets them reach you in an emergency. News reports for 2026 also said registration costs nothing. Optional services such as stays, transport or helicopter seats are paid separately.

How to register for Kedarnath online (step by step)

You can use the website registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the official Tourist Care Uttarakhand app (Android and iOS). The steps are the same on both:

1. Open the official portal or app. Type the address yourself, or install the app from the Play Store or App Store. Do not use a link from an advert.
2. Sign up or log in. Click “Register/Login”. New users sign up with a mobile number, and existing users log in.
3. Create your yatra plan. The portal calls this “creating a tour”. Enter your start and end dates and the number of yatris.
4. Choose only Kedarnath. The portal asks which dhams you will visit and the date for each. If you are going only for Kedarnath darshan, tick Kedarnath alone and enter the date you expect to reach the temple. Add Badrinath too if you are doing Do Dham.
5. Add each yatri’s details. Enter name, age, ID proof details and mobile numbers for everyone in your group. Use the ID card each person will actually carry.
6. Submit and download the registration letter. Once done, download the Yatra Registration Letter. It has a QR code. Save the PDF on your phone and keep a printout too, because mobile signal on the route can be weak.

The portal also offers a WhatsApp registration guide, so check the official site if you prefer that route.

Tip: Register every person in your group, including elders and children. Each yatri needs to be covered.

Kedarnath registration offline: where are the counters?

If you cannot register online, you can register in person at a counter. Carry your original ID and a passport-size photo. Locations change from season to season, so treat the list below as what was listed or reported in 2026:

Offline counters on the Kedarnath route can get very busy on peak days. Online registration before you leave home saves time. Before you travel, check the latest counter list on the official portal (its “Physical Registration Points” section) or call 1364.

Documents needed

The official portal says to carry your registration letter and valid personal ID proof. Reports for 2026 said the following:

• Valid government ID: Aadhaar, PAN card, driving licence, passport or voter ID were the examples reported. Use the same ID you entered when registering.
• Mobile numbers: your own, plus one family member’s as an emergency contact.
• Passport-size photo: needed for offline registration. Online, you may be asked to upload one.
• Your darshan dates: know your plan before you start the form.
• Medical fitness certificate: advised in 2026 for elderly yatris and people with health conditions, because Kedarnath is at high altitude.

Coverage in 2026 also mentioned “biometric/QR verification at entry points”. Keep your original ID with you, not only a photocopy.

Kedarnath registration for helicopter yatris

Helicopter yatris must register too. In 2026 the official portal said that “heli services can be booked only through IRCTC”, on heliyatra.irctc.co.in. News reports also said a yatra registration number is needed to book a helicopter.

So the order is simple. Register first, then book the helicopter. Use the same names and dates for both. Each person’s details on the helicopter ticket should match their registration and ID. For dates, booking tips and safety, see our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide.

Where is registration checked on the way?

The official portal lists Sonprayag as the registration checkpoint for Kedarnath. It lists Kedarnath Temple itself as a verification point. News reports for 2026 also described e-pass checks at several points along the route.

In practice, keep the QR letter ready from Sonprayag onwards, and show it at the temple when asked. The portal also mentions a darshan slot token for a smoother visit, so ask about it when you reach. To see where these points fall on the walk, read our Kedarnath trek route guide.

Common mistakes and fake websites

• Paying for registration. Official registration is free. If a website or agent charges a “registration fee”, be careful.
• Using a look-alike website. In 2026, police warned about cloned websites, fake social media ads, WhatsApp messages and fake helpline numbers. These were mostly for helicopter tickets, hotels and packages. Check the address carefully. The official registration site ends in uk.gov.in, and official helicopter booking is on heliyatra.irctc.co.in.
• Scanning a QR code to “get a refund”. One reported 2026 scam used a fake refund QR code to empty a bank account. Never scan a payment QR code sent by a stranger.
• Selecting the wrong date or dham. Recheck your Kedarnath date before you submit.
• Registering only one person. Every member of the group needs to be registered.
• Keeping the letter only online. Carry a printout as well as the PDF.

If you are cheated online, report it on the National Cyber Crime Helpline, 1930.

When does Kedarnath registration open?

Registration opens each spring, a few weeks before the temple doors open, and the date is announced by the Uttarakhand government. For example, online registration for the 2026 season began at 7 AM on 6 March 2026. The Kedarnath temple opened to devotees on 22 April 2026.

The dates for next season have not been announced yet. We will update this page when the official announcement comes. Meanwhile, see our Kedarnath yatra guide for planning help.

How Yatra To Temples can help

If the forms feel confusing, our yatra team will help. When you book a Kedarnath yatra with us, we guide each member of your group through the free registration on the official portal and check that names, dates and ID details are correct. For helicopter questions, just ask us. See our Kedarnath yatra package or browse all Kedarnath yatras, then call or WhatsApp us to ask.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kedarnath registration free?

Yes. The official portal describes it as a free exercise, and 2026 news reports said there is no charge. You pay only for optional services such as helicopters, stays or transport.

Can I register only for Kedarnath and not all four dhams?

Yes. When you create your yatra plan on the portal, select Kedarnath alone and enter the date you plan to visit it.

What is the official Kedarnath registration website?

The official site is registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, run by Uttarakhand Tourism. The official app is “Tourist Care Uttarakhand”.

What is the helpline number for Kedarnath registration?

The official portal lists the toll-free number 1364. It also lists 0135 3520100, 0135 2559898 and 0135 2552627, and the email touristcare.uttarakhand@gmail.com.

Do I need registration if I am going by helicopter?

Yes. Helicopter seats are booked only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in, and in 2026 a yatra registration number was needed to book. Register first, then book.

Where is the Kedarnath registration office?

There is no single office. In 2026 there were counters at Haridwar, Rishikesh and the Vikasnagar area (listed on the official portal), and counters at Sonprayag and Guptkashi on the Kedarnath route (reported by the media). Check the latest list on the official portal before you go.

Where can I find more Kedarnath answers?

Our Kedarnath yatra FAQ answers common questions on weather, fitness, stay and darshan. For the walk itself, see our Kedarnath trek route guide linked above.