NADRA Family Registration Certificate (FRC) in Pakistan 2026: Complete Guide, Fees, and Process

Published: June 18, 2026 · 7 min read

The Family Registration Certificate (FRC) is one of the most commonly requested NADRA documents, and also one of the most commonly confused. Issued under the NADRA Ordinance 2000, the FRC records the family unit in the NADRA database — linking a husband, wife, children, and other dependents to a single certificate that can be used for visa applications, immigration, school admissions, property transfers, and any other context where family relationships need to be formally established. The application process is straightforward and can be done online through the PakID portal, but the requirements, fees, and processing times vary depending on the applicant’s situation.

What the FRC is and what it includes

The FRC is a NADRA-issued document that records the family unit in the national database. The certificate includes:

• Head of family — typically the eldest male, but can be the eldest female in certain cases
• Spouse — husband or wife, registered by marriage
• Children — biological and adopted, registered by birth or adoption
• Parents — for unmarried applicants, the FRC includes the parents
• CNIC numbers — of all family members listed
• Family tree — relationships between members, in graphical or tabular form

The FRC is the official document that establishes family relationships in the NADRA database. Once issued, the FRC can be used as supporting documentation for any process that requires proof of family relationship, including visa applications, immigration cases, school admissions, property transfers, and family pension claims.

For overseas Pakistanis, the FRC is also issued by NADRA’s overseas offices in countries with Pakistani missions, and the fees and processing times may differ.

Who needs an FRC

The FRC is commonly required in the following contexts:

• Visa applications for family members travelling together — embassies and consulates often require the FRC to confirm the family relationship
• Immigration cases — sponsorship applications, family-based immigration, and citizenship-by-descent applications
• School and college admissions — particularly for sibling enrolment or family-quota seats
• Property transfers — sale or gift of property to a family member often requires the FRC to establish the relationship
• Family pension claims — government employees’ families claiming pension after the employee’s death
• Inheritance cases — succession certificates and legal heirship claims
• Bank and financial processes — joint accounts, family trust accounts, and nominee designations
• Medical and insurance claims — dependent coverage in family health insurance

For most of these purposes, the FRC is required in addition to the individual CNICs of the family members. The FRC provides the official NADRA-stamped record of the family unit; the individual CNICs provide each member’s identity.

What you need before applying

Before starting the FRC application, gather the following:

• CNIC of the head of family — the applicant or the eldest family member
• CNIC of the spouse (if applicable)
• CNIC of each child (if applicable) — children under 18 may use a Child Registration Certificate (CRC) or B-Form
• Nikah Nama (marriage certificate) — required to register the spouse
• Children’s birth certificates — required to register the children
• Family photos — typically required for older applications, but less common in the online process
• Proof of address — utility bill, rent agreement, or property document
• Mobile number — for OTP verification and notifications

For families with members who have changed their name (e.g., through marriage), the CNIC must reflect the current name before the FRC is issued. Name changes require a separate NADRA process, typically through the PakID portal or a NADRA registration centre.

How to apply: The online process through PakID

1. Go to the PakID portal at id.nadra.gov.pk and log in. New users must register first using their CNIC, mobile number, and email.
2. Navigate to the FRC application from the dashboard. The option is under “Family Registration Certificate” or “Family Document.”
3. Select the FRC type. Options typically include: “FRC by Birth” (for unmarried applicants listing parents and siblings), “FRC by Marriage” (for married applicants listing spouse and children), or “Combined FRC” (for both birth and marriage data, at higher fee).
4. Enter family member details. For each family member to be included, enter the CNIC number, name, relationship, and other required data. The system will pull existing data from the NADRA database where available.
5. Upload supporting documents. Upload scanned copies of the Nikah Nama, birth certificates, and any other required documents. The portal accepts PDF, JPG, and PNG formats.
6. Review and submit. Review the application, confirm the declarations, and submit. The system will generate a tracking ID and send an acknowledgement.
7. Pay the fee. Pay the FRC fee through the payment options on the portal (1Link, bank challan, JazzCash, Easypaisa). The standard fee is Rs 1,000 for Pakistani citizens.
8. Wait for processing. The FRC is processed in the standard timeframe (30 days for normal, 12 days for urgent, 7 days for executive). The status can be tracked through the PakID portal using the tracking ID.
9. Receive the FRC. Once processed, the FRC is delivered to the applicant. For online applications, a digital copy is available for download. The physical certificate can be collected from a NADRA office or delivered by post, depending on the application method.

For most Pakistani citizens, the entire process is now online. The physical visit to a NADRA office is required only if the supporting documents need to be verified in person, or if biometric data needs to be updated.

How to apply: The in-person process at a NADRA office

For applicants who prefer or need to apply in person, the process is similar but with a few additional steps:

1. Visit the nearest NADRA registration centre. Most district headquarters have a NADRA office, and there are additional offices in major cities.
2. Take a token and wait for your turn. Wait times vary by office and time of day. Early mornings are usually less crowded.
3. Submit the application at the FRC counter. The NADRA officer will verify your documents and enter the family data into the system.
4. Provide biometrics (fingerprint and photo) for verification.
5. Pay the fee at the office counter or through the payment options on site.
6. Receive the acknowledgement with the tracking ID and expected delivery date.
7. Collect the FRC from the office once it is processed, or have it delivered by post.

The in-person process is typically used for complex cases (e.g., adopted children, multiple marriages, missing CNIC records) that cannot be handled entirely through the online portal.

FRC fees in 2026

These are the standard 2026 fees. Additional fees may apply for urgent or executive processing, and for special services such as home delivery or expedited review. The complete and current fee schedule is available on NADRA’s official website.

Common mistakes to avoid

Special cases

Some situations require additional documentation or processing:

Adopted children: Adoption must be legally registered with the relevant court before the child can be added to the FRC. The court order is required as supporting documentation.

Multiple marriages: For applicants with multiple spouses, each spouse is listed separately on the FRC. The relationship designation and inheritance implications should be considered.

Stepchildren: Stepchildren can be added to the FRC if the marriage is registered and the stepchild’s biological parent consents. The process requires additional documentation.

Overseas family members: Family members residing abroad can be included in the FRC. Their CNIC (or NICOP/POC) details are required, and additional documentation may be needed for verification.

Death in the family: If a family member has died, the FRC should be updated to reflect this. The death registration with NADRA or the relevant Union Council is required, and the deceased member’s CNIC is marked accordingly.

For complex family situations, professional advice from a NADRA-registered agent or a family lawyer is recommended. Our CNIC application guide and the wider NADRA documentation coverage provide additional context for the underlying CNIC process.

What to do if the FRC is lost or damaged

If the FRC is lost or damaged, a duplicate can be requested:

1. Apply for a duplicate FRC through the PakID portal or at a NADRA office.
2. Provide the original tracking ID or the most recent FRC reference number (if available).
3. Pay the duplicate fee (same as the original FRC fee).
4. Submit an FIR or a written declaration if the FRC was lost.
5. Receive the duplicate FRC within the standard processing time.

For FRCs that are needed urgently (e.g., for an imminent visa appointment), the urgent or executive processing options are available at additional cost.

FRC and the wider family documentation framework

The FRC is one of several NADRA documents that establish family relationships. The full family documentation framework includes:

• CNIC — individual identity card for adults
• Child Registration Certificate (CRC) — for children under 18
• Family Registration Certificate (FRC) — the family unit record
• Succession Certificate — for inheritance cases
• Nikah Nama (Marriage Certificate) — registered with the Union Council, then with NADRA
• Birth Certificate — registered with the relevant authority, then with NADRA

For most purposes that require proof of family relationship, the FRC is the primary document. Other documents (Nikah Nama, birth certificates) are used as supporting documentation in the FRC application process.

The wider context for NADRA services, including the Smart National Identity Card and the SIM registration process, is covered in our other guides.

Related NADRA and family documentation guides

For readers navigating the wider NADRA documentation framework, our other guides cover the full picture. The CNIC application guide covers the underlying individual identity card that the FRC is built on, and is a useful reference for family members who need to apply for a new CNIC as part of the FRC process. The Smart National Identity Card services and costs guide covers the newer smart CNIC variant. For mobile and SIM-related documentation, the mobile number details check guide walks through the SIM-CNIC linkage, which is often queried alongside the FRC for identity verification.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: NADRA official documentation, NADRA PakID portal, NADRA Fee Structure, NADRA helpline (1777). Procedures, fees, and processing times are based on the rules in effect for 2026 and are subject to NADRA’s updates.