NADRA announces temporary assistance for citizens without birth documents

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Sunday announced a conditional mechanism for citizens without birth certificates to obtain national identity cards, in what the authority described as a major step to plug documentation gaps.

The facility was developed on the directive of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The NADRA Authority Council approved the measure, which was introduced under the NADRA Ordinance and the National Identity Card Rules and Regulations.

According to the spokesperson, the possibility of first registration will remain in effect until December 31, 2026. The identity of the candidates will be verified by alternative methods.

According to the new policy, married women aged 18 or above must submit a marriage certificate. Their father or mother and husband must hold valid identity cards, and biometric verification of relevant family members will be mandatory.

The statement further added that the conditions relating to husband will not apply to single women. For men aged 24 or older, the ID of a parent and at least one sibling will be required, as well as biometric verification from a parent.

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“If both parents and the husband are deceased but their records exist in the NADRA database, the biometric requirements may be waived,” the statement said.

The authority said new applicants will be issued a non-smart national ID card free of charge. Citizens have been asked to ensure the accuracy of their information at the time of registration, as changes to parentage, date and place of birth will not be permitted.

Last year, NADRA notified a comprehensive set of new regulations after they were approved by the NADRA Authority Council in accordance with the relevant rules and the NADRA Ordinance.

The reforms included updated procedures for verification and cancellation of identity documents, changes to the National Identity Card (NIC) framework, a revised regulatory structure for the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) and the introduction of a modern procurement regime for the organization.

New verification regulations have introduced a structured process for reviewing questionable identity documents.