National Database and Registration Authority

Pakistani government agency

The National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) is an independent and autonomous agency under the control of the Interior Secretary of Pakistan that regulates Government Databases and statistically manages the sensitive registration database of all the National Citizens of Pakistan. Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar serves as Chairman of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Pakistan. NADRA is also responsible to issuing the Computerised National Identity Cards to the citizens of Pakistan, maintaining their sensitive informational upgraded in the government databases, and securing national identities of the citizens of Pakistan from being stolen and theft. It is one of the largest government database institution, employing more than 11,000 people in more than 800 domestic offices and five international offices. Codified by the Second Amendment, §30 of the Constitution of Pakistan in 2000, the Constitution grants powers to NADRA to enact civil registration and sensitive databases of Pakistan's citizens; all databases are kept to ensure the safety of citizens' databases.

A unique 13 digit number is assigned at birth when the parents complete the child's birth registration form (Form RG 2, commonly known as B Form or Child Registration Certificate (CRC)), and then a National Identity Card (NIC) with the same number is issued at the age of 18. Until 2001, NIC numbers were 11 digits long. In 2001 2002, the authority started issuing 13 digit NIC numbers along with their new Biometric ID cards. The first 5 digits are based on the applicant's locality, the next 7 are random numbers, and the last digit is a check digit, an even number for females and odd number for males. The old manual NIC numbers are invalid as of 1 January 2004. The ID card has the following information on it: Legal Name, Gender (male, female, or transgender), Father's name (Husband's name for married females), NADRA aims to replace all 89.5 million CNICs with SNICs by 2020.

In order to track a NADRA Smart Card, the tracking ID consisting of 12 digits is sent to 8400. For example, the tracking ID is 108231064935, and the message is sent to 8400, you will get the message "Your request against tracking id 108231064935 is with printing facility and expected delivery 2 working days".

One can obtain his/her National Identity Card by either visiting the nearby NADRA office or by applying online. This online feature is really helpful. Especially, those Pakistanis who are expats can take advantage of this facility, being offered by NADRA. Online Application

As of June 22, 2021, NADRA has started issuance of succession certificate / letter of administration in Karachi, Sindh.

NADRA has started its service of online application for the NICOP, POC and CRC. Online data is collected e. g. fingerprints, thumb impressions and signatures. Online fee is submitted through debit or credit card.