Key points
- Birth registration now mandatory to get child registration certificate
- Biometric requirements vary by age
- New fee structure includes Rs50 for standard processing
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced key amendments to the National Identity Card (NIC) Rules, 2002, introducing new regulations for issuing the child registration certificate (CRC), commonly known as the B-Form.
The updated rules, introduced under the direction of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, are effective immediately and aim to modernise the identity verification process while enhancing protections against illegal registrations and child trafficking.
What’s new in the 2025 B-form rules?
A major shift under the new rules is the mandatory birth registration with the local union council before a child can be issued a B-Form. Biometric requirements have also been tailored by age. For children under 3 years, no biometric data or photographs are needed.
For children between the ages of 3 to 10, a photograph is required, with an iris scan if available.
For children aged 10 to 18, full biometric details, including fingerprints, a photograph, and an iris scan, are compulsory.
Each child will now receive an individual CRC with a defined validity period—a move expected to boost data accuracy and protect child identities.
Updated fee structure
NADRA has also revised the fee schedule for B-Form issuance, with a standard fee set at Rs50 (7-day processing) and an executive fee at Rs500 (1-day processing)
These reforms are seen as a major step toward a more secure and digitally advanced national identification system, especially in safeguarding children’s identities.
