If you reported a crime, you are entitled to a copy of the First Information Report (FIR). You need it for court, bail, insurance, visas and follow-up with the police. The easiest way is to ask for it at the police station when the FIR is registered. If you lost it, you can get another copy in person, or online in some provinces. Here are the routes, what to bring and what the sources do not confirm.
What Is a Certified Copy?
The Punjab Police FAQ says you are entitled to a certified copy of the FIR, signed by an officer and bearing the stamp of the police station. A plain printout may not carry the signature and stamp. For court, ask for the certified one.
Your Rights When the FIR Is Registered
A Zameen guide (13 July 2022) on filing an FIR under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure says you can ask the officer to read the report back to you, check it, and sign it. If you cannot read or write, you give a left thumb impression. It says you should ask for a copy of the FIR, and that it must be given free of charge.
The Punjab Police FAQ adds that you can report orally or in writing, and no police officer can refuse to register a case. If your report is not registered, it says to contact the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, the Superintendent of Police or the District Police Officer.
Route 1: The Police Station Where the FIR Was Registered
- Go to the police station that registered the FIR.
- Give the FIR number, the date and your CNIC.
- Ask for a certified copy, signed and stamped.
The Punjab Police FAQ says you are entitled to it. I did not find a source describing a separate written application or its timing, so this step list is general advice.
Route 2: Police Khidmat Markaz (Lahore)
The Lahore Police website says citizens can get an FIR copy from a Police Khidmat Markaz (PKM) by providing basic information. It lists:
- The original CNIC and two photocopies.
- The reason you want the copy.
- The FIR number and the police station.
- Copies of any relevant documents.
It says the service is free and takes about 5 to 10 minutes, with the copy handed over on the spot. The page describes Lahore. I did not confirm that every district has the same service.
Route 3: Online (Punjab)
Pakistan Observer (25 September 2023) says you can get an FIR copy from the Punjab Police site, cms.punjabpolice.gov.pk:
- Enter the complaint number given when the FIR was registered, and your mobile number.
- Click search to see the FIR details.
- Use the download option at the bottom of the page.
That report is from 2023, so the site may have changed. Type the address yourself and do not use links in messages. I did not open the portal. I also did not confirm whether a downloaded copy is accepted as a certified copy. Ask the court or office that needs it.
Other Provinces
A blog guide (21 June 2026) says:
- Punjab: punjabpolice.gov.pk, under online services.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: kppolice.gov.pk.
- Sindh: an FIR database on web.cplc.app, which is the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee site rather than a police site.
The guide says many online services are free, but some only verify an FIR or show limited information, and it does not describe certified copies. It is a blog, not an official page. Use it only as a starting point.
If You Are Abroad
The Pakistan High Commission in Wellington lists “Copy of FIR” among its Police Khidmat Markaz services, at a fee of NZD 25. It says the applicant or an authorised family member must attend in person with a CNIC, the FIR number and the police station name. This is one mission’s rules. Ask your own embassy or consulate about its process and fee.
What to Keep Ready
- Your CNIC, original and photocopies.
- The FIR number, date and police station.
- The complaint number, if you have it.
- The names of the accused, if known.
- A reason for needing the copy.
Beware of Fixers
An FIR copy is free at the police station, according to the sources. Do not pay agents or touts for it, and do not pay anyone who promises to change what an FIR says. If you are asked for money, ask for a receipt and report it to a senior officer.
What I Could Not Confirm
- Whether a downloaded online copy counts as certified.
- The current Punjab portal address and steps.
- The steps and fees in Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad.
- Whether PKMs outside Lahore give FIR copies.
- How to get a certified copy from a court once a case has gone to court.
- The time limit for getting a copy.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an FIR copy free?
Yes at the police station, according to a Zameen guide. The Lahore PKM also lists it as free.
What is a certified copy?
A copy signed by a police officer and stamped by the police station.
What do I need?
Your CNIC, the FIR number and the police station name.
Can I get an FIR copy online?
In Punjab, a 2023 report says yes, with a complaint number and your mobile number. Check the current portal.
What if the police refuse to register my FIR?
Contact the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, the Superintendent of Police or the District Police Officer, according to the Punjab Police FAQ.
Can I get a copy if I live abroad?
Some missions offer it for a fee, such as the High Commission in Wellington.
Ask for a signed and stamped copy at the police station, and keep your FIR number safe.
