by In mid‑2025, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) introduced sweeping reforms to make the Child Registration Certificate (CRC)—commonly known as the B‑Form—easier to obtain and more secure across Pakistan. These steps enhance child identity protection and streamline documentation for parents.
✅ Key Improvements & Identity Protections
1. Mandatory Birth Registration
A verified birth certificate issued at the local Union Council is now required before applying for a B‑Form. This helps eliminate fake registrations and prevents misuse.
2. Age-Based Biometric Requirements
Security features are now tailored by age group:
- Under 3 years: Photo and biometrics not needed.
- 3–10 years: Photo and iris scan required.
- 10–18 years: Full biometric data—photo, fingerprint, and iris scan mandatory.
3. Secure New B‑Form Design
Effective since January 15, 2025, all children over 10 now receive a redesigned B‑Form featuring a photograph and fingerprint data. Older B‑Forms without these enhancements are no longer considered valid for passport issuance.
4. Family Registration Certificate (FRC) Updates
The FRC now has legal standing, requiring applicants to declare accurate family details. NADRA’s integrated system covers complex family structures—such as multiple spouses—and allows women to choose whether to display their father’s or husband’s name on ID cards.
5. Faster CNIC & Case Resolution
Applications involving confiscation, cancellation, or restoration of CNICs must now be resolved within 30 days—a significant improvement in service turnaround.
📲 Enhanced Convenience for Parents
Parents and guardians now benefit from clearer requirements and a smoother process at any NADRA Registration Center (NRC):
- Required documents include the child’s Union Council-issued birth certificate and at least one parent’s CNIC. Guardians may need to provide attested authorization.
- At the NRC, you’ll receive a token, undergo biometric data capture (if relevant), review a printed form, and have it attested or verified. The completed CRC is typically issued within a few working days.
🧪 Real User Feedback
While official rules have been clarified, social media users have flagged occasional confusion or inconsistency—especially around supplemental requirements like family tree details, identity verification, or missing family data updates:
“Parent’s B-form will be a good substitute until you turn 18.”
Many users report that NADRA may request blood relatives to verify family trees—a process that can delay the issuance unless records are already complete.
🌟 Why It Matters
These upgrades reflect Pakistan’s broader push to strengthen child identity safeguards and enforce integrity in documentation. The modernized B‑Form regime:
- Reduces risk of identity fraud and human trafficking.
- Improves data accuracy and digital record interoperability.
- Simplifies legal compliance for travel, schooling, and official record-keeping.
📌 Summary Table
| Change | Current Policy |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate Requirement | Mandatory from Union Council before B‑Form application |
| Biometric Requirements by Age | Under 3: none; Age 3–10: iris + photo; Age 10–18: full biometrics |
| New Secure B‑Form | Contains child’s photo & fingerprint; needed for passport |
| FRC Legal Status | Legally binding declarations with family data verification |
| CNIC Case Resolution Timelines | Must be resolved by NADRA within 30 days |
📋 Final Thoughts
NADRA’s reforms in 2025 have made the B‑Form application process more secure, uniform, and transparent. Adoption of Union Council birth registration, age-appropriate biometric requirements, and enhanced family identity mechanisms has strengthened protection of child identity rights.
While the process is more efficient overall, applicants are encouraged to ensure their family tree data is up-to-date, carry correct documentation, and understand the new security features—especially when applying for passports or future identity updates.
