Comprehensive Guide to Vital Certificates in Pakistan: Birth, Marriage & Death (2025)

(Updated 18 August 2025 | Covers NADRA, Union Council & Provincial Online Systems)

"In 2025, life’s paperwork transforms from months to minutes—if you master the digital portals."

Document Comparison & Legal Significance

Certificate	Key Uses	Issuing Authority	Validity
Birth	School admission, CNIC, passport, inheritance	Union Council + NADRA	Lifetime
Marriage	Visa applications, spouse benefits, inheritance	Union Council (Nikah Nama) + NADRA	Lifetime
Death	Inheritance, bank account closure, insurance claims	Hospital + Union Council + NADRA	Lifetime

1. Birth Certificate Application

Requirements

Child: B-Form/CRC (if available), hospital birth slip
Parents: CNICs, marriage certificate, Family Registration Certificate (FRC)
Biometrics:
- Under 3 years: No biometrics
- 3–10 years: Photo + iris scan
- Over 10 years: Full fingerprints

Online Process

Download Form: Get provincial birth form (e.g., Punjab Form).
Upload via Pak ID App: Scan documents → Submit for Union Council verification.
Pay Fee: ₨ 200 (Pakistan), ₨ 1,000 (overseas), ₨ 2,000 (foreigners).
Collect: From Union Council or via courier (7–10 days).

Critical Note: NADRA does not issue birth certificates online—only verifies them post-registration.

2. Marriage Certificate (Nikah Nama) Registration

Requirements

Bride & groom CNICs
Witnesses' CNICs (2+ people)
Union Council marriage form
Attested Nikah Nama from mosque/marriage hall

Online Process

Provincial Portal: e.g., Punjab Marriage Registration → Upload Nikah Nama + CNICs.
NADRA Update: Log in to Pak Identity → Add spouse details under "Family Tree".
Pay Fee: ₨ 500–₨ 2,000 (varies by province).
Collect: Digitally signed Nikah Nama from Union Council.

Deadline: Register within 60 days of marriage to avoid ₨ 100/day penalty.

3. Death Certificate Application

Requirements

Hospital death report
Deceased’s CNIC copy
Applicant’s CNIC + proof of relationship
Affidavit (if hospital report unavailable)

Online Process

Portal Access:
- NADRA: Vital Registration Portal
- Provincial: e.g., Punjab Death Certificate.
Upload Documents: Scan death report + CNICs.
Pay Fee: ₨ 50–₨ 1,000 (based on urgency).
Track: SMS <application_id> to 9966.

Provincial Variations

Province	Birth Form	Marriage Form	Death Form
Punjab	[Download]	[Download]	[Download]
Sindh	N/A	[Download]	N/A
KPK	[Download]	[Download]	[Download]
Islamabad	[Download]	N/A	[Download]

Processing Times & Fees

Certificate	Normal	Urgent	Overseas Fee
Birth	7–10 days (₨ 200)	3 days (₨ 500)	₨ 1,000
Marriage	14 days (₨ 500)	3 days (₨ 1,500)	₨ 2,000
Death	7 days (₨ 50)	24 hrs (₨ 1,000)	₨ 1,500

Critical Warnings

Birth Certificate Fraud: Verify Union Council stamps via NADRA’s SMS service.
Unregistered Marriages: Non-registration invalidates inheritance claims.
Death Certificate Scams: Only use .gov.pk portals—avoid agents charging "speed money".

Pro Tips for 2025

Overseas Applicants: Use Pak Identity for all certificates—consulates only assist with biometrics.
Missing Documents: For deaths outside hospitals, submit affidavits signed by a magistrate.
Track Applications:
- SMS <CNIC> to 7000 for birth/marriage certificates.
- Use NADRA’s Portal for real-time updates.

One-Screen Cheat Sheet

1.  **Birth**:
    - Download provincial form → Submit via Pak ID app → Pay fee → Collect from Union Council
2.  **Marriage**:
    - Upload Nikah Nama to provincial portal → Update NADRA family tree → Pay fee
3.  **Death**:
    - Scan hospital report + CNIC → Apply via NADRA portal → Track via SMS