Pak Identity: NADRA’s Online CNIC Portal
The complete guide to Pak Identity — renew your CNIC, apply for a NICOP or FRC, and track everything online through NADRA’s official portal and app.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
The Essentials
Pak Identity at a Glance
NADRA’s digital front door — what it does, what it costs, and how fast it works.
Background
What Is Pak Identity?
Pak Identity is the National Database and Registration Authority’s official self-service platform. It replaced the older NADRA online application system and now handles most routine identity-card work without a visit to a registration centre.
id.nadra.gov.pk
The web portal works on any computer or phone browser. You create an account with your email and mobile number, verify biometrically (usually through the app), and then apply for services from your dashboard.
Pak-ID Mobile App
Available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, published by the National Database and Registration Authority. The app handles the full process — photo capture, fingerprint or face verification, payment and tracking — from your phone.
Only .gov.pk Is Official
NADRA’s genuine sites end in .gov.pk. Any site ending in .com, .org or .pk offering “NADRA services” is not NADRA — a common source of fraud. Always type id.nadra.gov.pk yourself rather than following links.
Deep Dives
Services You Can Use Online
Almost every routine CNIC task is available through Pak Identity. Each has its own detailed guide below.
CNIC Renewal
Renew an expired or expiring CNIC entirely online — photo, biometrics and payment from home. Full guide →
CNIC Modification
Correct your name, address, marital status or date of birth with supporting documents. Full guide →
Family Registration Certificate
The FRC lists your registered family members — needed for visas, inheritance and admissions. Full guide →
NICOP for Overseas Pakistanis
Non-resident Pakistanis can renew or apply for their NICOP from anywhere in the world. Full guide →
Pak-ID App Services
Download, registration, biometric verification and digital ID — everything the app does. Full guide →
Comparison
App vs Web Portal
Both are official and offer the same services. The difference is convenience.
| Feature | Pak-ID App | Web Portal (id.nadra.gov.pk) |
|---|---|---|
| Account creation | In-app with mobile + email | Browser-based sign-up |
| Biometric verification | Phone camera (face) or fingerprint | Usually needs the app for this step |
| Photo capture | Built-in camera guide | Upload a digital photo |
| Payment | Debit/credit card, JazzCash, EasyPaisa | Same options + eSahulat PSID |
| Tracking | Real-time in “Existing Applications” | Dashboard status view |
| Best for | Phone-first users, overseas applicants | Desktop users, document-heavy applications |
Walkthrough
How to Apply Step by Step
The process is the same whether you renew, modify or reprint — only the documents change.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create your account on the Pak-ID app or at id.nadra.gov.pk with your CNIC number, mobile number and email. Verify via OTP. |
| 2 | Complete biometric verification — a live face scan through your phone camera, or fingerprints where requested. |
| 3 | Choose your service: renewal, modification, duplicate/reprint, FRC or NICOP. |
| 4 | Fill in your details exactly as they appear on your existing CNIC or B-Form. |
| 5 | Upload your photo and documents — recent photo on a white background; supporting documents (marriage certificate, utility bill, etc.) where required. |
| 6 | Pay the fee via debit/credit card, JazzCash, EasyPaisa, or at an eSahulat franchise using the PSID reference. |
| 7 | Save your tracking ID and track the application in the app or by SMS. |
| 8 | Receive your card by courier at your registered address (around Rs 165 delivery charge). |
2026 Rates
2026 Fee Structure
NADRA charges by processing speed. The first-ever CNIC for citizens turning 18 is free (Normal category, standard card).
| Service | Normal | Urgent | Executive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart NIC renewal | Rs 750 | Rs 1,500 | Rs 2,500 |
| Standard CNIC renewal | Rs 400 | Rs 1,150 | Rs 2,150 |
| CNIC modification | Rs 750 | Rs 1,500 | Rs 2,500 |
| Photo / signature update | Rs 400 | ||
| NICOP — Zone A (West) | $39 | $57 | $75 |
| NICOP — Zone B (Middle East etc.) | $20 | $30 | $40 |
Normal processing takes roughly 15–30 days, Urgent 7–15 days, Executive under a week. Home delivery adds about Rs 165 courier charges. Fees are set by NADRA and can change — the figures above reflect the 2026 schedule.
Stay Updated
Tracking Your Application
Three official ways to know where your card stands.
Pak-ID App
Open “Existing Applications” on your dashboard for real-time status: In-Process, Completed, Rejected or Cancelled.
SMS to 8400
Text your tracking ID to 8400 and NADRA replies with the current status within seconds.
Web Portal
Log in at id.nadra.gov.pk and expand the status tab under your application for a detailed breakdown.
Useful SMS codes to remember: 668 (send your CNIC to see how many SIMs are registered on it — PTA), 8300 (send your CNIC to check your vote and polling station — ECP).
Important
First-Time CNIC Applicants
One hard rule: a first-ever CNIC cannot be issued fully online.
Visit an NRC in Person
First-time applicants must visit a NADRA Registration Centre for biometric capture — fingerprints and photograph. NADRA’s system needs your biometrics on file before any online service can work.
Documents in 2026
The birth certificate requirement is temporarily relaxed until December 2026 — immediate family biometrics can be used instead. Bring your B-Form and a parent or guardian if you are under 18.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions Pakistanis ask most about Pak Identity — answered.
Is Pak Identity NADRA’s official website?
Yes. Pak Identity at id.nadra.gov.pk and the Pak-ID mobile app are NADRA’s official online channels. Only addresses ending in .gov.pk are genuine — sites ending in .com or .pk offering “NADRA services” are not affiliated with NADRA.
Can I get my first CNIC online through Pak Identity?
No. First-time applicants must visit a NADRA Registration Centre in person so their fingerprints and photograph can be captured. Online services work only for renewal, modification, duplicate and reprint applications, where your biometrics are already on NADRA’s record.
How much does CNIC renewal cost in 2026?
For a Smart NIC: Rs 750 (Normal, 15–30 days), Rs 1,500 (Urgent, 7–15 days) or Rs 2,500 (Executive, under a week). Home delivery adds about Rs 165. The first-ever CNIC at 18 is free in the Normal category.
How do I track my NADRA application?
Three ways: check “Existing Applications” in the Pak-ID app, SMS your tracking ID to 8400, or log in at id.nadra.gov.pk and open the status tab. Statuses shown are In-Process, Completed, Rejected or Cancelled.
What is “Pak ID com” that people search for?
It is simply a mistyped search for the Pak-ID app and the Pak Identity portal (id.nadra.gov.pk). There is no official “pakid.com” — always use the .gov.pk address or the official app published by the National Database and Registration Authority.
Can overseas Pakistanis use Pak Identity?
Yes — Pak Identity is the main route for overseas Pakistanis to renew or apply for a NICOP from anywhere in the world. Fees are charged in USD by zone: Zone A (USA, UK, Europe) $39/$57/$75 and Zone B (Middle East, Africa) $20/$30/$40 for Normal, Urgent and Executive processing.
What documents do I need to renew my CNIC online?
You need a copy of your current CNIC, a recent photograph with a white background, and clear biometric verification through the app. For modifications, add supporting documents — for example a marriage certificate for a name change after marriage, or a utility bill for an address change. Keep file sizes under 2MB in JPG or PDF format.
Every NADRA Service, Explained Step by Step
Renewals, modifications, FRC, NICOP and the Pak-ID app — 12 detailed guides in plain language.
Feature Pakistan’s Pakistan Guides explain the country’s services, institutions and everyday systems in plain language — written for citizens, students and overseas Pakistanis, verified against official sources.