The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has launched a detailed video guide to assist Pakistani citizens in updating their names on their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC).
According to Nadra, applicants must prepare specific documents before visiting any registration centre. The primary requirement is a computerised birth certificate from the Union Council or Cantonment Board showing the updated name.
If the birth certificate is unavailable, an affidavit can be submitted instead — Form C1 for a B-Form or Form C2 for a CNIC. Applicants changing their names after a religious conversion must also present a certificate from Dar-ul-Ifta.
Once documents are ready, applicants should visit a Nadra office, collect a token, and undergo biometric verification. The process includes recording personal details, taking fingerprints, and capturing a photograph. Applicants must verify all information on a printed form before submission.
The application is then approved by the office in charge, during which applicants may be asked questions about their family background. Nadra has clarified that form attestation is not required for CNIC amendments.
Fee and processing time:
Rs. 2,500 – executive (7 working days)
Rs. 1,500 – urgent (15 working days)
Rs. 750 – normal (30 working days)
Applicants receive an SMS once their CNIC is ready, which must be collected from the same Nadra office where the application was submitted.
