NADRA New Policy for Citizens Without Birth Certificates Allows Easier CNIC Registration

NADRA New Policy has made it easier for citizens without birth certificates to apply for a national identity card. This step aims to help people who could not register earlier due to missing documents.

The National Database and Registration Authority said it has already registered about 98.3 percent of adults. However, around 1.7 percent of people still do not have CNICs. Many of them are women living in areas where birth registration is low.

NADRA studied registration data of the last ten years. This review was done with help from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Election Commission of Pakistan, and other national institutions. The goal was to find the reasons behind low registration and fix the issue.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed NADRA to introduce a legal solution. After approval from the NADRA Authority Board, the new facility was launched. It will remain available until December 31, 2026.

Under this facility, applicants without birth certificates can still get CNICs after strict checks. These checks include biometric verification of close family members already registered in NADRA.

Married women aged 18 or above must show their marriage certificate, their parent’s CNIC, and husband’s CNIC. Biometric confirmation from a parent and husband is also required.

Unmarried women need to provide one parent’s CNIC and biometric verification. Male applicants above 24 must show that one parent and one sibling already have CNICs. Biometric confirmation of a parent is also needed.

If parents or husband have died but their NADRA record exists, an officer can allow exemption after review.

NADRA will issue normal non-smart CNIC free of cost under this time-limited facility. After registration, personal details like date of birth and parentage cannot be changed. Applicants are advised to check their information carefully before applying.