No birth certificate? Here’s how you can still get your CNIC from NADRA

ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a special provision allowing individuals to obtain their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) for the first time even if they do not possess a birth certificate, according to an official announcement issued on Sunday.

The initiative, which will remain in effect until December 31, 2026, is specifically designed for first-time applicants and will operate under strict scrutiny and verification procedures.

NADRA stated that the measure has been approved under Section 5(1)(b) and Section 20 of the NADRA Ordinance, 2000, along with Rule 8 of the NADRA NIC Rules, 2002. These provisions permit alternative verification methods for certain categories of applicants.

Under the new framework, CNICs will only be issued where an applicant’s identity can be confirmed through existing NADRA records, along with compulsory biometric verification of already registered immediate family members.

For married women aged 18 and above, applicants must present a valid Nikah Nama issued by the local government, along with a valid CNIC or National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) of either parent and the husband. Biometric verification of one parent and the husband will also be required.

Unmarried women aged 18 or above will not be subject to the husband-related requirement. However, they must provide a valid CNIC or NICOP of either parent and complete biometric verification of at least one parent.

In the case of male applicants aged over 24, eligibility will depend on at least one parent holding a valid CNIC or NICOP, as well as at least one sibling being registered with a valid CNIC or NICOP. Biometric verification of one parent will remain mandatory.

NADRA clarified that exemptions from biometric verification may be granted by an authorised officer in situations where both parents or the husband have passed away, provided their records already exist in NADRA’s database and identity linkage can be satisfactorily established.

To further ease the process, the authority announced that applicants applying under the normal category will receive non-smart CNICs free of charge under this special arrangement.

The authority cautioned that once details such as parentage, date of birth, and place of birth are entered into the National Identity System, they cannot be altered. Citizens were therefore urged to carefully review all information before submission.

Eligible individuals have been advised to visit their nearest NADRA registration centre to benefit from this time-limited facilitation.