If the name or date of birth in your passport does not match your CNIC, fix the CNIC record with NADRA first, then take the corrected CNIC to the passport office. A mismatch can stop a passport renewal, so it is best to sort it out before you apply. This guide explains the steps, using the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P) FAQ, NADRA guidance reported by ARY News and ProPakistani, and one Pakistani embassy’s page.
Why a Mismatch Is a Problem
The DGI&P FAQ says the online renewal category is for applicants whose details are the same as on their previous passport and in the NADRA record. The page does not describe a special process for mismatches, so a mismatch appears to take you out of that category. Confirm this with the DGI&P before you apply. Its helpline is 051-111-344-777, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 16:30, and its email is info@dgip.gov.pk.
Step 1: Find Out Which Record Is Wrong
- Compare your CNIC, passport, birth certificate and school certificates.
- Decide which record has the correct name or date of birth. The correct one should match your birth certificate or other early documents.
- If the CNIC is wrong, correct it with NADRA. If the passport is wrong but the CNIC is right, apply for a passport with the correct details, as in Step 3.
Step 2: Correct Your CNIC at NADRA
If the Name Is Wrong
ARY News (12 August 2025) and ProPakistani (13 August 2025) report NADRA’s name change steps:
- Gather your documents. The main one is a computerised birth certificate from the Union Council or Cantonment Board showing the correct name.
- If you do not have one, use an affidavit on NADRA’s form, Form C2 for a CNIC or Form C1 for a B-Form. Attestation is not needed for CNIC changes.
- If the name changed after a change of religion, bring a Dar-ul-Ifta certificate.
- Visit a NADRA Registration Centre and take a token.
- Complete biometrics, data entry and the photo, then check the printed form.
- Wait for approval. You may be asked questions about your family.
- Pay the fee after the SMS confirmation and collect the updated CNIC from the same office.
The reports do not cover name changes after marriage. Ask NADRA what to bring.
If the Date of Birth Is Wrong
ProPakistani (23 February 2026) reports that for birth certificates issued in Punjab, a date of birth change is made only on a competent court’s order. NADRA then needs the court order and a verified computerised birth registration certificate. The rule covers the CNIC, NICOP, B-Form and Juvenile Card. The report gives no effective date, and I could not confirm whether it applies outside Punjab. Check with NADRA, whose helpline is 1777.
An Express Tribune report (15 December 2024) says major changes, such as an entirely different identity, generally need a court order, and that people have spent Rs20,000 to Rs50,000 on legal costs. It also warns about fake agents offering shortcuts.
Fees for a CNIC Change
The August 2025 reports list normal service at Rs750 (30 working days), urgent at Rs1,500 (15 days) and executive at Rs2,500 (7 days). ARY labels both the Rs2,500 and Rs1,500 lines “executive,” which looks like a typo, so I used ProPakistani’s order. An ARY report on NADRA’s 7 April 2026 fee update lists Rs400, Rs1,150 and Rs2,150 for CNIC renewal or modification. The fees conflict, so confirm the current amount at the NADRA centre before you pay.
Step 3: Update Your Passport
The DGI&P FAQ says:
- Name change: Submit the revised original CNIC showing the new name.
- Date of birth correction: Submit the revised original CNIC showing the corrected date. A birth certificate or Matriculation certificate is optional but helps verification.
Apply at a Regional Passport Office or through the DGI&P e-Services Portal, as for a normal passport. The FAQ does not say whether a corrected passport is a new issue or a modification, or what it costs, so ask the passport office. The DGI&P page on minors lists Rs9,000 normal for a five-year, 36-page passport, but other reports list lower fees and I could not confirm the current amount. See our guide on passports for minors for the conflict.
If You Live Abroad
The Pakistan Embassy in Ankara says that if your information does not match NADRA’s records, you should correct it in your NICOP first before applying for a passport. The case is then handled as an “MRP modification” at the embassy. It asks for supporting documents such as a birth certificate, Matriculation certificate, valid passport or visa. It also says to update your CNIC or NICOP to a married name before changing it in your passport. This is one embassy’s page, so ask your own mission. Our consulate appointment guide may help.
Documents to Keep Ready
- Your original CNIC or NICOP and your passport.
- A computerised birth certificate.
- Matriculation or other school certificates.
- Marriage certificate, court order or other proof, depending on your case.
Tips to Avoid Delays
- Correct the CNIC before you apply for the passport, since the passport office checks the NADRA record.
- Do not rely on agents to “adjust” records. Use only NADRA centres and passport offices.
- Keep copies of every receipt and form.
- If you have a travel date, start early, since a CNIC correction can take up to 30 days.
What I Could Not Confirm
- The exact steps and fee for correcting a passport after the CNIC is fixed.
- Whether the court order rule for date of birth applies outside Punjab.
- The current NADRA modification fee.
- Rules for name changes after marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should I correct first, the CNIC or the passport?
The CNIC. The DGI&P asks for the revised original CNIC when you change a name or date of birth.
Do I need a court order to change my date of birth?
ProPakistani reports that Punjab-issued birth certificates need one. Check with NADRA for your case.
Can I renew my passport online if details do not match?
The DGI&P says the renewal category is for details that match the previous passport and NADRA record, so a mismatch may not qualify.
How long does a CNIC correction take?
Up to 30 working days for normal service, according to ARY News.
What if I live abroad?
Fix your NICOP first, then apply for an MRP modification at your mission, according to the Ankara embassy.
Find out which record is wrong, fix your CNIC with NADRA and then update your passport. Confirm the fees before you pay.
