You can apply for your first CNIC in Pakistan once you turn 18. If NADRA already holds your photo, fingerprints and iris scan against your B-Form, you can apply online through the Pak ID app. If those records are missing, you must visit a NADRA Registration Centre once. This guide explains both routes using NADRA’s recent notices and what to prepare. NADRA updates its rules from time to time, so confirm the details on its official channels.
Who Can Apply
NADRA’s guidelines of 7 October 2026, reported by ARY News, apply to citizens applying for a CNIC for the first time after turning 18.
Route 1: Apply Online Through the Pak ID App
NADRA said on 22 August 2026 that the first-time ID card service through the Pak ID app based on a B-Form (Child Registration Certificate, CRC) “has not been discontinued.” You can apply fully online if your photograph, fingerprints and iris record are already linked to your B-Form in NADRA’s system.
- Download the Pak ID app and sign up or log in.
- Choose the first-time ID card option using your B-Form.
- Follow the app’s instructions and upload what it asks for.
- Pay the fee and choose your delivery option.
- Track your application in the app.
The ARY report on the app does not list these steps or the fee, so the order above is general. The app will show the exact screens and amounts. NADRA also suggests saving your identity documents in the ID Wallet in the app.
Route 2: Visit a NADRA Registration Centre
NADRA says many older B-Form records lack full biometric data, because children’s biometrics were not routinely collected earlier. In those cases the application “cannot be completed entirely online.” You must visit a NADRA Registration Centre once to record your biometrics. NADRA recommends booking an appointment through the Pak ID app.
To know which route applies to you, ask NADRA or check in the app whether your biometrics are linked to your B-Form.
Documents You Need
According to NADRA’s 7 October guidelines:
- A verified computerised birth certificate, or a citizenship or naturalisation certificate.
- An Affidavit B in the prescribed format.
- Any other supporting documents you have.
Make sure your family tree and B-Form details in NADRA’s records are complete and correct before you apply. The reports I read do not give a full checklist, so ask NADRA what to bring for your case.
Witnesses and Verification
- Two biometric witnesses are required. Each must be 18 or older and hold a valid identity card.
- NADRA prefers relatives from your father’s or mother’s side. If none are available, a person from your area who holds a CNIC or NICOP and personally knows you can serve.
- The application form must be attested by an authorised person under Regulation 9.
- If your parents or siblings are not registered or are not available, complete the documentation and verification process first.
If Your Parents Are Not Available
ARY News reported on 29 September 2026, from a NADRA spokesperson’s podcast, that the process “does not halt” if parents are missing or deceased. Verification then passes to a brother listed in your family tree in NADRA’s records. The report says both brothers must be on the same B-Form, and it does not cover other relatives or what happens if no brother is listed. Ask NADRA for these cases.
Fees
None of the reports I read gives a first-time CNIC fee. ARY News listed a Smart CNIC fee of Rs750 for normal, Rs1,500 for urgent and Rs2,500 for executive processing in April 2025, but that report does not say whether it applies to first-time issue now. Check the fee in the Pak ID app or at the centre before you pay.
For Parents: Getting a B-Form for a Child
NADRA’s advisory says:
- Under 3: A B-Form can be issued without a photo. It is valid until the child turns three.
- Ages 3 to 10: A photo is required. The B-Form is valid until the child turns 10.
- Ages 10 to 18: A photo, fingerprints and an iris scan are required.
If a normal B-Form is complete, parents can apply through the Pak ID app from home and download it. If biometric data is missing, the child must visit a NADRA centre first.
Pakistanis Abroad
NADRA says overseas Pakistanis can still apply through Pak ID for a NICOP for their children based on a B-Form. NADRA advises updating the child’s biometrics as soon as possible at a NADRA office, a NADRA counter at a Pakistani embassy or consulate, or during a visit to Pakistan.
Helpline
NADRA’s helpline is 051-111-786-100, or dial 1777 from a mobile phone, according to ARY News.
Tips
- Check your B-Form and family tree details for mistakes before you apply.
- Bring your original documents and the two witnesses to the centre.
- Book your appointment through the app to avoid queues.
- Use only NADRA’s official app and offices. Do not pay agents or share your OTP.
What I Could Not Confirm
- The current fee for a first-time CNIC.
- A full official document checklist.
- Delivery times.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can I apply for a first CNIC?
After turning 18, according to NADRA’s guidelines.
Can I apply online?
Yes, through the Pak ID app, if your biometrics are already linked to your B-Form.
What if my biometrics are missing?
You must visit a NADRA Registration Centre once.
What documents do I need?
A verified birth certificate (or citizenship certificate), an Affidavit B and any supporting papers.
How many witnesses are needed?
Two, aged 18 or older with a valid identity card.
What if my parents have died?
A brother listed on the same B-Form can do the verification, according to NADRA.
Applying early for your first CNIC avoids problems with exams, jobs, bank accounts and SIMs. Confirm the fee and documents with NADRA before you go.
