Get your first CNIC
پہلا شناختی کارڈ بنوائیں
The CNIC is issued by NADRA to Pakistani citizens aged 18 or over; children have a B-Form (CRC) or Juvenile Card instead. A first Simple CNIC with Normal processing is free. Start online in NADRA's PakID app (choose "New CNIC") or go to any NADRA Registration Centre or e-Khidmat Markaz; your parents or a blood relative confirm your identity.
شناختی کارڈ نادرا 18 سال یا اس سے زائد عمر کے پاکستانی شہریوں کو جاری کرتا ہے؛ بچوں کے لیے ب فارم (CRC) یا جووینائل کارڈ ہوتا ہے۔ پہلا سادہ شناختی کارڈ نارمل رفتار میں مفت ہے۔ نادرا کی PakID ایپ میں آن لائن ("New CNIC" منتخب کریں) درخواست شروع کریں یا کسی بھی نادرا رجسٹریشن سینٹر یا ای خدمت مرکز پر جائیں؛ والدین یا کوئی خونی رشتہ دار آپ کی شناخت کی تصدیق کرتے ہیں۔
- Fee
- Rs 0 – Rs 2,500
- Processing time
- Simple CNIC: Normal 15 days, Urgent 12 days, Executive 6 days. Smart CNIC: Normal 31 days, Urgent 23 days, Executive 9 days (NADRA fee structure; with PakID the time starts after the fee is paid).
- Offices
- 1 listed
Who can apply
- Pakistani citizens applying for an identity card for the first time (children under 18 are issued a CRC/B-Form or a Juvenile Card instead)
- Applicants from FATA/PATA can apply from anywhere in Pakistan; if their parents are not registered, the CNIC form must be countersigned by the PA/APA
Documents you need
Steps
- 1Choose the card type (Simple or Smart) and the speed (Normal, Urgent or Executive).کارڈ کی قسم (سادہ یا اسمارٹ) اور رفتار (نارمل، ارجنٹ یا ایگزیکٹو) کا انتخاب کریں۔
- 2Apply online in NADRA's PakID app (choose "New CNIC", fill in your details and upload your documents), or visit any NADRA Registration Centre or e-Khidmat Markaz. Your photo and fingerprints may need a visit to a centre.نادرا کی PakID ایپ میں آن لائن درخواست دیں ("New CNIC" منتخب کریں، اپنی تفصیلات بھریں اور کاغذات اپ لوڈ کریں)، یا کسی بھی نادرا رجسٹریشن سینٹر یا ای خدمت مرکز پر جائیں۔ تصویر اور فنگر پرنٹس کے لیے سینٹر جانا پڑ سکتا ہے۔
- 3At the centre, take your father and mother with their original CNICs and your B-Form (CRC).سینٹر پر اپنے والد اور والدہ کو ان کے اصل شناختی کارڈ اور اپنے ب فارم (CRC) کے ساتھ لے جائیں۔
- 4Your parents confirm your identity in person at the counter as witnesses.آپ کے والدین کاؤنٹر پر خود موجود ہو کر بطور گواہ آپ کی شناخت کی تصدیق کریں۔
- 5Pay the fee (in the app, or in cash at the counter) and track your application; collect the card when it is ready or have it delivered (Rs 165 within Pakistan).فیس ادا کریں (ایپ میں یا کاؤنٹر پر نقد) اور درخواست کا اسٹیٹس ٹریک کریں؛ کارڈ تیار ہونے پر وصول کریں یا گھر منگوائیں (پاکستان کے اندر ڈیلیوری 165 روپے)۔
Fees
Good to know
- • At e-Khidmat Markaz, the fee is paid in cash only at the NADRA counter.
- • At Punjab e-Khidmat Markaz, NADRA counters serve Monday to Saturday, 09:00 am to 04:00 pm, with a lunch/prayer break from 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm and a Friday Jummah break from 12:30 pm to 02:30 pm.
- • The CNIC is issued by NADRA; e-Khidmat Markaz hosts NADRA counters.
- • For a disability logo on the card, a disability certificate issued by the National/Provincial Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (N/PCRDP, or Social Welfare AJK/GB) is required.
- • Delivery of the card within Pakistan costs Rs 165 (NADRA fee structure).
- • CNICs for adults are valid for 10 years.
- • With the PakID app, the Normal, Urgent or Executive timeline starts after the fee is paid.
Where to go
- e-Khidmat Markaz, Lahore - ASTP (Arfa Software Technology Park)
ARFA Tower, Ferozepur Road, Nishter Town, Lahore
Morning: Monday to Saturday 09:00 am to 05:00 pm. Evening: Monday to Saturday 06:00 pm to 12:00 am (Lahore - ASTP and Lahore - Town Hall only). Closed 12:30 pm to 02:30 pm on Friday for Jummah. NADRA counters: Monday to Saturday 09:00 am to 04:00 pm, lunch/prayer break 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm.
Questions people ask
›Is the first CNIC free?
Yes, a new Simple CNIC with Normal processing has a fee of 0. Urgent costs Rs. 1,150 and Executive Rs. 2,150. A new Smart CNIC costs Rs. 750 (Normal), Rs. 1,500 (Urgent) or Rs. 2,500 (Executive).
›Do my parents need to come with me?
Yes. For a new CNIC, the father and mother must be present in person as witnesses, with their CNICs.
›How long does it take?
Simple CNIC: 15 days (Normal), 12 days (Urgent), 6 days (Executive). Smart CNIC: 31, 23 and 9 days.