NADRA Makes Major Changes to CNIC, FRC and B‑Form Rules

Parents applying for a NADRA B-Form in 2026 need to be aware of updated age-based biometric requirements, current fees and the option to use NADRA’s PakID mobile application.

Officially known as the Child Registration Certificate (CRC), the B-Form is issued by the National Database and Registration Authority to Pakistani citizens under the age of 18.

It records a child in NADRA’s national identity database and establishes the child’s identity and relationship with their parents or legal guardian.

The most important change for parents is that the information captured on a CRC now depends on the child’s age.

Children below three years, children aged three to ten, and children aged ten to eighteen have different photograph and biometric requirements.

This guide explains the NADRA B-Form fee in 2026, required documents, biometric rules, validity, PakID process and how to replace a lost B-Form.

What Is a NADRA B-Form?

A B-Form is the commonly used name for NADRA’s Child Registration Certificate or CRC.

NADRA issues the CRC to Pakistani citizens who have not yet reached the age of 18.

It is one of the child’s first official identity records and links the child with their registered parents or legal guardian in NADRA’s database.

The CRC is commonly required for purposes including identity verification, education-related documentation and passport processing.

Once a person turns 18, they become eligible for a CNIC rather than a CRC.

NADRA B-Form Fee 2026

NADRA’s current official fee schedule lists the following charges for the Child Registration Certificate:

These fees apply to CRC categories under NADRA’s current fee structure.

Therefore, parents do not need to pay thousands of rupees for an ordinary B-Form application.

If anyone demands an unofficial additional amount for the NADRA document itself, applicants should verify the charge before paying.

NADRA B-Form Biometric Rules by Age

One of the most important parts of the current CRC system is that biometric requirements change as the child becomes older.

Children Below 3 Years

For children below three years of age:

Biometrics are generally not required.

However, NADRA says a photograph is required on the CRC when it is being processed for passport purposes.

Children Aged 3 to 10 Years

For children between three and ten years:

• photograph is required;
• iris capture is required;
• fingerprints are not required.

The child’s presence is mandatory when processing the CRC in this age bracket.

Children Aged 10 to 18 Years

For children between ten and eighteen years:

• photograph is required;
• fingerprints are required;
• iris capture is required.

This creates a stronger biometric identity record as the child approaches adulthood.

B-Form Biometric Requirements at a Glance

*A photograph is required where the CRC is being processed for passport purposes.

Does the Child Need to Visit NADRA?

It depends on the child’s age and the type of application.

NADRA states that the presence of children above three years is mandatory for CRC processing.

For children up to three years old, their presence is specifically required where the CRC is being processed for passport issuance because a photograph must be captured.

Parents using PakID should therefore not assume that every B-Form application can be completed entirely from home.

NADRA says biometric verification and photographs may require a visit to a NADRA Registration Centre.

Documents Required for NADRA B-Form

For a child born in Pakistan, NADRA’s current CRC requirements include a:

Computerized Birth Registration Certificate issued by the relevant:

• Union Council;
• Municipal Committee; or
• Cantonment authority.

For children born abroad, NADRA refers to a Detailed Birth Certificate or S-1 Form, depending on the case.

The child’s family relationship also needs to be reflected in NADRA’s records.

Parents should therefore make sure their own identity and family information is correct before beginning the application.

Can You Apply for B-Form Online?

Yes. NADRA’s PakID system currently supports fresh CRC applications, modification and reprint services.

Parents can use the official PakID mobile application to begin the CRC process.

NADRA’s current instructions include:

1. Download the PakID mobile app.
2. Create an account or sign in.
3. Select the relevant CRC/B-Form service.
4. Enter the required personal details.
5. Upload the required documents.
6. Complete any required verification.
7. Visit a NADRA Registration Centre if the application requires physical biometric or photograph capture.
8. Track the application through PakID.

This means PakID can make the process considerably easier, but whether the entire application can be completed remotely depends on the child’s age and biometric requirements.

Can You Apply at a NADRA Registration Centre?

Yes.

Parents can still apply through a physical NADRA Registration Centre (NRC).

This can be particularly useful where:

• the child requires biometric capture;
• family information needs verification;
• there is an issue with the birth record;
• PakID cannot complete the application; or
• the applicant prefers in-person processing.

NADRA also provides CRC services through its Mobile Registration Vans in areas served by the programme.

Does a B-Form Expire?

The CRC is now tied to important age milestones.

According to NADRA’s current validity structure, CRC validity changes when the child reaches:

• 3 years
• 10 years
• 18 years

This corresponds with the different biometric requirements introduced at these ages.

In practical terms, parents should review the child’s CRC when the child enters a new age category because additional photograph or biometric data may need to be captured.

At Age 3

The child enters the category requiring a photograph and iris capture.

At Age 10

The child enters the category requiring photograph, fingerprints and iris data.

At Age 18

The person becomes eligible for a CNIC rather than continuing with a child identity document.

Do Old B-Forms Remain Valid?

Parents should not assume that every previously issued B-Form must immediately be replaced simply because the newer CRC system includes biometrics.

The need to update the CRC generally becomes particularly relevant when the child reaches the applicable age threshold or needs documentation such as a passport requiring the updated identity information.

Parents should check the child’s current CRC and intended use before applying for a replacement.

B-Form for Passport Applications

Passport processing is one area where the newer CRC requirements become especially important.

NADRA’s current guidance states that for children below three years, biometrics are not normally required, but a photograph is required on the CRC for passport processing.

Parents planning international travel should therefore avoid waiting until immediately before the passport application to check whether the child’s CRC needs updating.

How to Replace a Lost B-Form

If a child’s B-Form has been lost, parents can apply for a replacement.

NADRA’s PakID FAQ confirms that CRC reprint is among the services supported through the mobile application.

A replacement can therefore be requested through:

• the PakID mobile app; or
• a NADRA Registration Centre.

NADRA reiterated this replacement facility in October 2026, while the current CRC fee structure remains Rs50 under normal processing and Rs500 under the executive category.

What If Information on the B-Form Is Wrong?

PakID also supports CRC modification.

However, the process depends on what information needs changing.

If the underlying birth record itself contains an error — for example, the child’s date of birth or name was incorrectly registered with the local authority — the parent may first need to correct the underlying civil-registration record.

A NADRA record cannot always be treated independently from the birth record on which the registration was based.

B-Form vs Juvenile Card: What Is the Difference?

Both are NADRA identity documents for Pakistani citizens below the age of 18, but they are different documents.

The Child Registration Certificate (CRC/B-Form) is the child’s registration certificate.

A Juvenile Card is a separate identity card available for children under 18.

NADRA currently applies similar age-based biometric rules to the Juvenile Card, including photograph and iris requirements up to age 10 and fingerprints from age 10 onward.

The fees are also different.

The CRC is significantly cheaper, with normal processing at Rs50, whereas the Juvenile Card has its own higher fee categories.

Is B-Form the Same as a Birth Certificate?

No.

This is an important distinction.

A birth certificate is issued by the relevant local civil-registration authority such as a Union Council, Municipal Committee or Cantonment.

A B-Form/CRC is issued by NADRA after the child’s registration information is entered into NADRA’s identity database.

In fact, NADRA requires the computerized birth registration certificate when processing a new CRC for a child born in Pakistan.

So the birth certificate normally comes before the B-Form.

B-Form vs CNIC

A B-Form is for a person who has not yet reached 18 years of age.

A CNIC is issued to Pakistani citizens who have attained the age of 18.

NADRA specifically lists existing CRC or Juvenile Card holders among those who become eligible for CNIC once they turn 18.

NADRA B-Form 2026 FAQs

What is the B-Form fee in Pakistan in 2026?

The current normal fee is Rs50, with approximately seven-day processing. Executive processing costs Rs500 and has a one-day timeline. There is currently no urgent CRC category.

Can I apply for a B-Form through PakID?

Yes. NADRA lists fresh CRC, modification and reprint among the services supported through PakID. A physical visit may still be required where photographs or biometrics need to be captured.

Is biometric verification required for a newborn?

Children below three years generally do not require biometrics. A photograph becomes necessary where the CRC is being processed for passport purposes.

Does a 5-year-old need fingerprints?

No. Children aged three to ten require a photograph and iris capture, but fingerprints begin from the 10–18 year age category.

Does a 12-year-old need biometrics for B-Form?

Yes. Children aged 10 to 18 require a photograph, fingerprints and iris capture.

Is the child’s presence mandatory?

NADRA says the presence of children above three years is mandatory for CRC processing. For children up to three, presence is specifically required where the CRC is being processed for passport issuance.

What document is required for a new B-Form?

For a child born in Pakistan, the main supporting document is a computerized birth registration certificate issued by the relevant Union Council, Municipal Committee or Cantonment authority.

Can a lost B-Form be reprinted?

Yes. CRC reprint is available through PakID, and applicants can also use a NADRA Registration Centre.

When does a B-Form need updating?

NADRA’s current CRC validity framework uses the age milestones of 3, 10 and 18 years, corresponding to changing biometric requirements.

What happens when the child turns 18?

At 18, the individual becomes eligible to obtain a CNIC.

Final Word

The NADRA B-Form process in 2026 is more structured around the child’s age than before.

The most important rules for parents to remember are simple:

Under 3: generally no biometrics.
Age 3–10: photograph and iris.
Age 10–18: photograph, fingerprints and iris.

The official B-Form fee remains affordable at Rs50 for normal processing and Rs500 for executive processing, while PakID now supports fresh CRC applications, modifications and reprints.

Parents should also remember that a birth certificate and a B-Form are not the same document: the computerized birth registration certificate is normally required before NADRA can issue a new CRC.

Keeping the child’s record updated at the major age milestones can help avoid problems later when applying for passports or other identity-related services.

Modified Date: October 17, 2026