Legal
Comprehensive Guide to Vital Certificates in Pakistan: Birth, Marriage & Death (2025)
By Huzi
(Updated 18 August 2025 | Covers NADRA, Union Council & Provincial Online Systems)
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) [6][11]
- Biometrics:
- Under 3 years: No biometrics
- 3—10 years: Photo + iris scan
- Over 10 years: Full fingerprints [11]
Online Process
- Download Form: Get provincial birth form (e.g., Punjab Form) [7].
- Upload via Pak ID App: Scan documents →’ Submit for Union Council verification [6][10].
- Pay Fee: Rs 200 (Pakistan), Rs 1,000 (overseas), Rs 2,000 (foreigners) [10].
- Collect: From Union Council or via courier (7—10 days).
Critical Note: NADRA does not issue birth certificates online—only verifies them post-registration [4].
2. Marriage Certificate (Nikah Nama) Registration
Requirements
- Bride & groom CNICs
- Witnesses' CNICs (2+ people)
- Union Council marriage form [7]
- Attested Nikah Nama from mosque/marriage hall
Online Process
- Provincial Portal: e.g., Punjab Marriage Registration →’ Upload Nikah Nama + CNICs [7].
- NADRA Update: Log in to Pak Identity →’ Add spouse details under "Family Tree" [3].
- Pay Fee: Rs 500—Rs 2,000 (varies by province).
- Collect: Digitally signed Nikah Nama from Union Council.
Deadline: Register within 60 days of marriage to avoid Rs 100/day penalty [7].
3. Death Certificate Application
Requirements
- Hospital death report
- Deceased's CNIC copy
- Applicant's CNIC + proof of relationship
- Affidavit (if hospital report unavailable) [2][12]
Online Process
- Portal Access:
- NADRA: Vital Registration Portal
- Provincial: e.g., Punjab Death Certificate [2].
- Upload Documents: Scan death report + CNICs.
- Pay Fee: Rs 50—Rs 1,000 (based on urgency) [2].
- Track: SMS
<application_id>to9966.
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] |
| Source: [7] |
Processing Times & Fees
| Certificate | Normal | Urgent | Overseas Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 7—10 days (Rs 200) | 3 days (Rs 500) | Rs 1,000 |
| Marriage | 14 days (Rs 500) | 3 days (Rs 1,500) | Rs 2,000 |
| Death | 7 days (Rs 50) | 24 hrs (Rs 1,000) | Rs 1,500 |
Critical Warnings
- Birth Certificate Fraud: Verify Union Council stamps via NADRA's SMS service [11].
- Unregistered Marriages: Non-registration invalidates inheritance claims [7].
- Death Certificate Scams: Only use
.gov.pkportals—avoid agents charging "speed money" [2].
Pro Tips for 2025
- Overseas Applicants: Use Pak Identity for all certificates—consulates only assist with biometrics [3][5].
- Missing Documents: For deaths outside hospitals, submit affidavits signed by a magistrate [12].
- Track Applications:
- SMS
<CNIC>to7000for birth/marriage certificates. - Use NADRA's Portal for real-time updates [1].
- SMS
One-Screen Cheat Sheet
- Birth: Download provincial form →’ Submit via Pak ID app →’ Pay fee →’ Collect from Union Council
- Marriage: Upload Nikah Nama to provincial portal →’ Update NADRA family tree →’ Pay fee
- Death: Scan hospital report + CNIC →’ Apply via NADRA portal →’ Track via SMS
"Your life events deserve legal recognition—not bureaucratic labyrinths."
Bookmark this guide—share with parents, newlyweds, and families navigating loss.
