ISLAMABAD: In Pakistan, all minors are required to possess a Child Registration Certificate (CRC), also referred to as a B-form, which is issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
This certificate is an obligatory document issued to every newborn by NADRA’s system of record, and it is every child’s right as a citizen of the country to be given such from their country of origin.
To obtain a CRC, parents must submit evidence of the child’s birth issued by the concerned Union Council. Also, one parent should possess either a National Identity Card (NIC) or a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).
Furthermore, rules and regulations by NADRA require that parents ensure to register their children within three months after birth in order for them to be included in the national database.
B-form fee update for June 2025
Beginning June 2025, the cost of processing a B-form through NADRA is Rs 50 for the normal service cost. An executive service is also available from NADRA for a quicker process at the cost of Rs500.
The processes involved in applying for the B-form are not complicated. Caregivers simply go to the nearest NADRA office along with their child’s computerized birth registration document. The applicant must be with one of the parents or a guardian appointed by the court.
Ideally, if both parents are present, one is the applicant while the other acts as the verifier. In situations where only one parent is present, the form will have to be confirmed by a Gazetted Officer or an elected officer.
It is also important to note that the child must be physically present when applying to ensure proper identification. In the case of children aged 10 years and above, photographs and fingerprints of the children are required.
