No birth certificate required for CNIC as NADRA introduces major facility

2026-02-23 - 03:53

ISLAMABAD – National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced a conditional facility that allows citizens to obtain a computerized national identity card without presenting a birth certificate. This new initiative, effective until December 31, 2026, aims to ease the registration process for individuals who lack access to local government-issued computerized birth certificates. This initiative comes as part of a broader effort to increase the registration of citizens in NADRA’s database, specifically targeting those who have yet to obtain a national identity card. The new method will enable individuals to be registered and issued an ID card based on the verification of certain conditions, including biometric confirmation from immediate family members who are already registered with NADRA. Key Requirements to Get CNIC Without Birth Certificate For married women aged 18 or older, the required documents include a verified local marriage certificate, a computerized national identity card (CNIC) of one parent, and the CNIC of the husband. In addition, biometric confirmation from both parents and the husband is mandatory. For unmarried women aged 18 or older, the CNIC of at least one parent and biometric verification of the parent is required. Men aged 24 or older must present the CNIC of one parent, and at least one sibling must be registered with NADRA. Additionally, biometric verification of the parent is required. In cases where both parents or a husband have passed away, but their records exist with NADRA, an officer may waive the biometric verification requirement after checking the available records. This initiative will only be available to those who meet the verification criteria, with a temporary smart ID card issued without any fee under the “Normal Category.” Once registered, details such as date of birth, place of birth, and parentage will be final and cannot be altered. NADRA has urged citizens to ensure the accuracy of all information at the time of registration. Why NADRA Launched This Facility Despite nearly 98.3% of Pakistan’s adult population already being registered, there remains a gap, with 1.7% of adults—primarily women—still without national identity cards. The lack of a computerized birth certificate has been a significant barrier to registration in some areas. This new facility comes after a detailed analysis of NADRA’s registration data, conducted in collaboration with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Election Commission, the National Commission on the Status of Women, and the National Commission for Child Welfare and Development. The analysis highlighted significant demographic gaps, particularly in districts with low rates of birth registration, prompting the launch of this reformative measure. The initiative has been approved by the NADRA Authority Board following directives from the Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, aiming to address these gaps and streamline the process of national registration for all citizens. NADRA CNIC Fee The registration authority has announced that citizens applying for their first-ever national identity card can now obtain it for free. The initiative allows individuals to receive their first non-smart chip identity card at no cost, simply by visiting a NADRA center. Citizens can get their cards within 15 days without any fees. However, for an Urgent category, the timeline is 12 days, and the cost is Rs1,150. For an Executive category, the timeline is 6 days, and the cost is Rs2,150.