NADRA offers CNIC facility without birth certificates

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in Pakistan has introduced a special facility allowing certain unregistered women and men to obtain computerized national identity cards (CNICs) without birth certificates.

Under the temporary arrangement, women aged 18 and above who have been unable to obtain identity cards because they lack birth certificates can apply by meeting alternative verification requirements.

According to a statement issued by NADRA, the facility will remain available until 31 December 2026.

Married women must have a computerized marriage certificate issued by their local Union Council.

They must also visit a NADRA registration center with their husband and either their father or mother, both of whom must have a CNIC or National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), for biometric verification.

If the applicant’s husband or either parent has died, the application may still be accepted if their records are available in NADRA’s database and the applicant provides satisfactory answers to questions asked by officials.

For unmarried women aged 18 and above, the requirement involving a husband does not apply.

NADRA has also announced a similar facility for men aged over 24 who have never obtained a CNIC.

Applicants must have at least one parent and one sibling whose identity details are registered with NADRA.

They must visit a registration center accompanied by their father or mother. If both parents are deceased, they must be accompanied by a brother or sister who holds a valid CNIC or NICOP.

NADRA has warned applicants that information provided during the registration process will be used to record their parents’ details, date of birth, and place of birth on their identity cards.

The authority said these details could not be changed at any point in the future.