Applicants for Permanent Account Numbers (PAN) will have to produce original documents of proof of identity, address and date of birth for verification at the time of applying.
"The procedure for the PAN allotment process will undergo a change with effect from February 3, 2014," the finance ministry said in a statement.
The original documents would be returned to applicants immediately after verification.
An applicant can obtain a PAN card by paying a fee of Rs 85, plus service tax, in cash at the facilitation centre.