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🇵🇰 Pakistan · National ID card

NADRA CNIC

Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC)

The CNIC is Pakistan's mandatory foundational identity document, issued by NADRA to all citizens aged 18 and over. It serves as proof of identity, nationality, and legal status and is required for nearly all civil, financial, and government transactions. Variants include the standard card, the chip-based Smart CNIC, and a QR-code CNIC.

What it does
Identity verification / KYCBiometric authenticationOnline authentication
Country:🇵🇰 Pakistan
Type:National ID card
Status:Live
Launched:2000
Issuer:National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)
Who can get it:All Pakistani citizens aged 18 and above, in or outside Pakistan
Format
CardSmart cardMobile app
Identity attributes
Full nameFather or husband nameGenderDate of birth13-digit CNIC numberPhotographAddressFingerprints
Authentication methods
BiometricQR codeNADRA Verisys backend verification
Common use cases
SIM registrationBank account openingPassport and driving licence applicationsVoter registrationGovernment benefits and subsidies
Standards
ICAO-aligned smart card with secure microchip (Smart CNIC)13-digit national unique identifier
Coverage

Over 225 million CNICs issued by 2025

Interoperability

Domestic

How to register, log in, and renew NADRA CNIC

Apply for a new CNIC

  1. Visit a NADRA Registration Centre (NRC) or use the Pak Identity portal (id.nadra.gov.pk) for online application.
  2. Provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and required documents, including proof of the family registration (FRC/B-Form).
  3. Pay the applicable fee and collect your token with a tracking number.
  4. Collect the card or receive it by post once processed.

Renew an expired CNIC

  1. Start a modification/renewal request at a NADRA centre or through the Pak Identity online portal.
  2. Confirm or update your particulars and capture fresh biometrics if required.
  3. Pay the renewal fee, choosing normal, urgent, or executive processing.
  4. Track the application and collect the renewed card or have it delivered.

Track your CNIC application

  1. Send your 13-digit tracking or CNIC number by SMS to 8400, or check status on the Pak Identity portal.
  2. Review the status update returned for your application.

Steps are a general guide and can change. Always confirm the current process on the official portal.

Privacy and trust

NADRA holds one of the world's largest centralized biometric databases, governed by the NADRA Ordinance rather than a comprehensive data-protection statute.

Identity verification providers

Independent identity verification vendors that support documents like this for KYC and onboarding. Exact document coverage varies by provider and region, so confirm support before relying on it.

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Official source
https://www.nadra.gov.pk/identityDocument/cnic

NADRA CNIC: frequently asked questions

Who must obtain a CNIC?
Every Pakistani citizen aged 18 or older is required to register for and obtain a CNIC.
What is the difference between CNIC and Smart CNIC?
The Smart CNIC adds a secure embedded microchip with enhanced security and durability, and a QR-code variant adds machine-readable verification.
Educational reference, not official guidance. Confirm current details with the issuing authority. all Pakistan schemes · identity verification vendors