Imdad Portal

CNIC — National Identity Card

Apply for your first Computerized National Identity Card (Smart NIC) — Pakistan's primary proof of identity, required for banking, passport, SIM registration, voting and government services. Issued to citizens aged 18 and above.

NADRA Normal: ~30 working days Verified Guide

اہم معلومات (آسان اردو میں)

موجودہ صورت حالSTATUS
نارمل ~30 دن | ارجنٹ ~12 دن | ایگزیکٹیو ~7 دن
یہ سہولت/فوائد کیا ہے؟BENEFIT
  • پہلا کمپیوٹرائزڈ شناختی کارڈ (Smart NIC) بنوائیں — پاکستان میں شناخت کا بنیادی ثبوت۔
  • بینکنگ، پاسپورٹ، سم رجسٹریشن، ووٹنگ اور سرکاری سہولیات کے لیے ضروری۔
  • 18 سال یا زائد عمر کے شہریوں کو جاری ہوتا ہے۔
  • نئی رجسٹریشن (نارمل) پہلی بار عموماً مفت؛ ارجنٹ ~1,500 اور ایگزیکٹیو ~2,500 روپے۔
اہلیت کا معیارELIGIBILITY
  • 18 سال یا زائد عمر کا پاکستانی شہری (18 پر CNIC ب-فارم کی جگہ لیتا ہے)۔
  • NADRA خاندانی ریکارڈ میں درست ب-فارم/CRC سے رجسٹرڈ ہو۔
  • والدین/سرپرست کے شناختی کارڈ NADRA میں رجسٹرڈ ہوں۔
ضروری دستاویزاتDOCUMENTS
  • اصل ب-فارم (چائلڈ رجسٹریشن سرٹیفکیٹ)
  • والد اور والدہ کے اصل شناختی کارڈ
  • میٹرک سرٹیفکیٹ یا تاریخِ پیدائش کا ثبوت (اگر ہو)
  • FRC اگر افسر مانگے
  • اصل کاغذات فوٹو کاپیوں کے ساتھ
درخواست کا طریقہHOW TO APPLY
  1. قریبی NADRA سینٹر (NRC) جائیں یا Pak-ID پورٹل (id.nadra.gov.pk)/ایپ پر شروع کریں۔
  2. ٹوکن لیں اور CNIC رجسٹریشن فارم بھریں۔
  3. ب-فارم اور والدین کے شناختی کارڈ جمع کریں۔
  4. بائیومیٹرک تصدیق مکمل کریں۔
  5. فیس ادا کریں اور ٹریکنگ آئی ڈی والی رسید لیں۔
  6. 8400 پر SMS یا www.nadra.gov.pk سے اسٹیٹس دیکھیں اور Smart NIC حاصل کریں۔

Service Overview

Why Your CNIC Matters

The Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), now issued as a chip-based Smart NIC, is the single most important identity document for any Pakistani citizen aged 18 or above. It is your legal proof of identity and citizenship and is required for almost every formal activity in the country.

Where You Need It

  • Opening and operating bank accounts
  • Applying for a passport or driving licence
  • Registering a SIM card
  • Casting your vote in elections
  • Buying or selling property and registering a vehicle
  • Accessing government welfare schemes and pensions

Good to Know

  • The CNIC replaces a child’s B-Form once they turn 18.
  • An adult CNIC is normally valid for 10 years and must be renewed on expiry.
  • All new cards are issued as Smart NICs with a secure chip.
  • You can start online on Pak-ID, but biometric verification at a centre is required for a first card.

What this means for you

At 18, your childhood B-Form record becomes a CNIC — Pakistan’s main proof of identity, required for banking, SIM registration, a passport, voting and most government services. Because your CNIC is generated from your existing family record, make sure that record (parents’ CNICs, names, spellings) is correct before you apply.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Applying without a family record. You should already be registered on a B-Form/family record; if not, that has to be sorted first.
  • Mismatched details. Differences between your details and your parents’ CNICs are a common cause of delays.
  • Expecting a fully online first card. You can start on Pak-ID, but a first-time CNIC needs biometric verification at a NADRA centre.

How to make sure you are on the official channel

Use only NADRA channels — the PakID app, id.nadra.gov.pk, or a NADRA Registration Centre. Every new and renewed card is now issued as a chip-based Smart NIC. NADRA never asks for your password or OTP by phone.

Official source: NADRA — nadra.gov.pk  |  Apply: id.nadra.gov.pk
Last verified: August 11, 2026. Fees and processing times are set by NADRA and change periodically — confirm current rates on the official portal or at an NRC.
Related services: Smart CNIC · B-Form · FRC · NICOP
اہم معلومات (آسان اردو میں)

شناختی کارڈ 18 سال پر بنتا ہے اور بینک، سم، پاسپورٹ اور ووٹ کے لیے لازمی ہے۔ صرف نادرا/PakID سے بنوائیں؛ اب ہر نیا کارڈ سمارٹ NIC ہی ہوتا ہے۔

Eligibility Criteria

Pakistani citizen aged 18 years or above (the CNIC replaces the B-Form at 18).
Must already be registered in NADRA's family record through a valid B-Form / CRC.
Parents or guardians must hold valid CNICs registered with NADRA.
Applicants below 18 are not eligible for a CNIC and should use a B-Form.

Required Documents

Original B-Form (Child Registration Certificate)
Father's and mother's original CNICs (or legal guardian's CNIC)
Matriculation certificate or other proof of date of birth (if available)
Family Registration Certificate (FRC), if requested by the officer
Bring originals along with photocopies

How to Apply — Step by Step

1

Visit your nearest NADRA Registration Centre (NRC) or start on the Pak-ID portal (id.nadra.gov.pk) or app.

2

Obtain a token and fill in the CNIC registration form.

3

Submit your B-Form along with your parents' CNICs.

4

Complete biometric verification — fingerprints, photograph and digital signature.

5

Pay the applicable fee for your chosen service type.

6

Collect your receipt with the token / tracking ID.

7

Track by sending your tracking number via SMS to 8400 or at www.nadra.gov.pk.

8

Collect your Smart NIC from the centre or receive it by courier.

Frequently Asked Questions

At 18 years of age. Before that, children are registered on a B-Form, which the CNIC replaces at 18.
New registration under the normal category is generally free for first-time adult applicants. Urgent and executive categories carry fees.
Adult CNICs are normally valid for 10 years. Certain categories may be issued for longer or lifetime validity.
You can start the application on Pak-ID, but biometric verification at an NRC is required for a first card.
Send your tracking ID or CNIC number via SMS to 8400, or check the status at www.nadra.gov.pk.
You can start the application on the Pak-ID portal or PakID app, but a first-time CNIC requires biometric verification in person at a NADRA Registration Centre.

Important Notes

A CNIC is mandatory for citizens aged 18 and above for banking, SIM registration, passport and voting.
Bring original documents along with photocopies; biometric verification is completed at the centre.
Fees and timelines are revised periodically — confirm current rates at the NRC or on Pak-ID.

Related Services

CNIC Modification
NICOP Renewal
NADRA Application Tracking