Mandatory birth registration with union councils introduced
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced major changes to the National Identity Card (NIC) Rules, 2002, aimed at modernising the system to enhance security, prevent fraud, and improve transparency and efficiency in identity management nationwide.
Originally framed in 2002 after NADRA’s creation in 2000, the NIC rules have now been revised through a comprehensive draft approved by the Federal Cabinet.
A central feature of the updated rules is the compulsory birth registration with the local union council before a Child Registration Certificate (CRC/Form B) can be issued.
Under the new framework:
- Children under three years are exempt from providing biometric data and photographs.
- For ages three to ten, a photograph and, where available, an iris scan are required.
- For ages ten to eighteen, biometric data including fingerprints, photographs, and iris scans are mandatory.
Each child will now be issued an individual CRC with a set validity period — a move aimed at improving record accuracy and combating illegal registrations and child trafficking.
The reforms also give legal status to the Family Registration Certificate (FRC). Applicants must submit an undertaking affirming the accuracy of their information, and FRCs will now be based solely on NADRA’s records. The FRC will detail family types as Alpha (by birth), Beta (by marriage), and Gamma (by adoption), and must include all family members, with corrections handled via the NADRA app or offices. The updated FRC will now clearly document details of men with multiple marriages to prevent ambiguities.
Another important change grants married women the choice to display either their father’s or husband’s name on their ID card.
To address past difficulties in document verification, confiscation, and cancellation, NADRA has mandated that verification boards resolve such cases within 30 days. The same procedures now apply to certificates like FRCs and CRCs.
The Teslin ID card has also been upgraded to include enhanced security features drawn from Smart Card technology, such as bilingual data (Urdu and English) and QR codes replacing thumb impressions — all without additional cost. These cards remain affordable and quick to obtain.
Lastly, the amendments introduce a voluntary correction mechanism allowing citizens to report inaccuracies in their records to NADRA for legal correction and protection. The updated rules also provide clear definitions for key terms to remove ambiguities in identity management.
