NADRA Family Registration Certificate (FRC): How to Apply
Pakistan is expanding the digitalization of its civil records system through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). One of the key documents issued under this system is the Family Registration Certificate (FRC). This certificate serves as an official proof of family composition, listing family members as recorded in the NADRA database. It is commonly required for visa applications, immigration processes, and certain legal or educational purposes. In this article, we’ll explain what an FRC is, why it’s important, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to apply for it both online and in person.
Table of contents
- Family Registration Certificate in Pakistan: explained
- Who needs the FRC in Pakistan?
- Ways to get the Family Registration Certificate
- How to apply for the FRC online?
- Documents required for FRC application
- FRC photo requirements
- Get a NADRA photo online
- FRC fees
Family Registration Certificate in Pakistan: explained
The Family Registration Certificate (FRC) is an official document issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to provide proof of an individual’s family composition as recorded in the national database. In simple terms, it lists the applicant’s family members and specifies their relationships. These can include blood relations (such as parent–child or siblings), marital ties (husband–wife), or adoption. The FRC is often required for purposes such as visa and immigration applications, university admissions abroad, official record verification, and other legal matters where proof of family structure is necessary.
NADRA issues three types of Family Registration Certificates depending on the applicant’s circumstances:
- FRC by Birth: Lists the family details of an individual along with their parents and siblings, as recorded at the time of birth.
- FRC by Marriage: Shows the applicant with their spouse and children, verifying marital and parental relationships.
- FRC by Adoption: Documents an adopted child’s family linkages, officially recognizing the relationship in NADRA’s database.
Who needs the FRC in Pakistan?
Theoretically, anyone can obtain an FRC, but it is most commonly requested in situations where proof of family structure is required. One of the most frequent uses is in visa and immigration applications. Many embassies and consulates require applicants to present an FRC to demonstrate strong family ties in Pakistan, which serves as an assurance of the applicant’s intention to return after travel, depending on the type of visa applied for.
Beyond visa processes, the FRC is also useful in a number of legal and administrative matters. For example, it may be required when executing a power of attorney in favor of a family member, when transferring property or inheritance, or for record-keeping in government-related services. Some universities and institutions abroad also request an FRC for admission or scholarship purposes, especially when proof of guardianship or family background is necessary.
In short, while not a daily-use document, the FRC becomes essential for Pakistanis dealing with cross-border travel, property matters, or legal processes where family verification is mandatory.
Ways to get the Family Registration Certificate
There are two ways to apply for the FRC: in-person and online.
In-person application: Visit your nearest NADRA Registration Centre (NRC) with all required documents. Your data will be entered into the system, your photograph captured onsite, and you’ll pay the applicable fee. Double-check all details before submission—any mismatch will be verified against NADRA’s database. For marriage or adoption categories, minors under 18 must be present during application.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Online application: Continue reading the next section
How to apply for the FRC online?
Follow these steps to apply for the FRC online:
- Visit the Pak Identity (Pak-ID) portal, and register or log into your account.
- Select the option to apply for the Family Registration Certificate.
- Fill in the online application form with accurate information for yourself and the relevant family members. Verify the family tree as presented by NADRA, and sign the required **Bayan-e-Halfi** (affidavit) to affirm the legitimacy of the data.
- Upload a compliant photograph that meets NADRA’s specifications—plain white background, recent (within six months), no headgear, glasses, or filters; dimensions at least 350 × 467 px.
- Upload scanned supporting documents such as CNIC/NICOP/POC of your family members, and Child Registration Certificate (CRC) for minors under 18 if applicable.
- Pay the fee using a debit or credit card, or NADRA’s e-Sahulat service (within Pakistan).
- Submit the application. Once accepted, you will receive a PDF version of your FRC via email—typically within 24 hours.
Additional updates effective in 2025:
- Applicants are shown their entire family composition as recorded in NADRA’s database before proceeding, and must verify it via a signed affidavit
- You can now include family members—even those abroad or not physically present—by submitting their identification details; NADRA will verify their legitimacy through internal checks.
- For polygamous families, all spouses and their children must appear on the FRC, ensuring accurate representation across family branches.
- A combined FRC format is now available that includes both your birth family and married family on a single certificate (sometimes referred to by internal categories such as “Alpha” and “Beta”).
Documents required for FRC application
To apply for a Family Registration Certificate (FRC), applicants must provide documents that establish both their identity and their relationship with the listed family members. NADRA verifies all documents against its national database before issuing the certificate. As of 2025, applicants must also confirm their family composition by signing a digital or physical Bayan-e-Halfi (Affidavit of Family Verification). Providing incorrect or misleading information can lead to rejection of the application and legal consequences.
General documents required:
- Applicant’s valid CNIC, NICOP (for overseas Pakistanis), or POC (Pakistan Origin Card).
- CNIC/NICOP/POC of relevant family members (parents, spouse, siblings, or children).
- Child Registration Certificate (CRC or “B-Form”) for minors under 18.
- Recent passport-size photographs of minors (plain white background, full face visible).
- Additional supporting documents depending on the type of FRC (see below).
Checklist for FRC by Birth
- Applicant’s valid CNIC/NICOP/POC.
- CNIC/NICOP/POC of parents and siblings.
- Child Registration Certificate (CRC or B-Form) for siblings under 18.
- Recent passport-size photographs of minors.
- Affidavit of Family Verification (Bayan-e-Halfi).
Checklist for FRC by Marriage
- Applicant’s valid CNIC/NICOP/POC.
- Spouse’s CNIC/NICOP/POC.
- CNIC/NICOP/POC of children (if any).
- Child Registration Certificate (CRC or B-Form) for children under 18, along with their photographs.
- Marriage Registration Certificate (Nikah Nama) or computerized marriage record.
- Affidavit of Family Verification (Bayan-e-Halfi).
Checklist for FRC by Adoption
- Applicant’s valid CNIC/NICOP/POC.
- CNIC/NICOP/POC of adoptive parents.
- Adopted child’s Child Registration Certificate (CRC or B-Form).
- Recent passport-size photographs of the adopted child.
- Adoption Deed, Guardianship Certificate, or Court Order confirming adoption/guardianship.
- Affidavit of Family Verification (Bayan-e-Halfi).
NADRA’s system instantly cross-checks all details with its central records. If there are discrepancies—such as unregistered marriages, mismatched spellings, or expired CNICs—these must be corrected at NADRA before applying for the FRC.
FRC photo requirements
If you take your FRC picture yourself (in the case of online applications), make sure it fulfills the following:
- The photo must be in color and high quality;
- The CNIC photo dimensions must not be less than 350 x 467 pixels;
- The picture’s background must be plain white with no shadows or extraneous objects;
- The photo must be recent, no older than six months;
- Your eyes must be open, not covered by any hair, and looking straight into the camera;
- Keep a neutral expression in the photo;
- Your whole head down to your shoulder must be visible in the picture;
- You may not wear glasses in the picture;
- No head accessories, caps, or hats are allowed in the picture;
- The photo must be clear (have good lighting and contrast); the use of filters is not allowed;
- The photo must show your natural skin and eye colors.
Here is an example:
Get a NADRA photo online
The Pak Identity system has made the bureaucratic system in Pakistan to become more streamlined. But you still want to ensure your application documents, including your photo, are all up to par. After all, the success of your application ultimately depends on you.
Visafoto can help to adjust your photo so that it fulfills all the requirements mentioned above. Just take a photo of yourself by following the dress code and posing guidelines, then upload it to our tool below.
Source
Result
Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.
As a result, you will get a digital photo instantly, which fully satisfies the requirements and is ready to be uploaded with your NADRA application.
FRC fees
The standard application fee for a Family Registration Certificate (FRC) is PKR 1,000 per certificate. This applies whether you apply online through the Pak-ID portal or in person at a NADRA Registration Centre (NRC). The fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of submission.
Payment methods:
- In-person applications: Payment can be made at the NADRA Registration Centre counter using cash or a supported debit/credit card.
- Online applications: Payment can be made through NADRA’s e-Sahulat franchise (only available within Pakistan) or with an international debit/credit card via the Pak-ID online system.
Combined FRC fees (2025 update): NADRA has introduced the option of a combined certificate, which merges both the applicant’s birth family and married family (“Alpha + Beta”) into one document. The fee for this combined FRC is PKR 2,000.
Processing time: In most cases, FRCs are issued within a few hours when applying in person, and within 24 hours for online applications. Delays may occur if records need to be updated or corrected in the NADRA database before the certificate can be issued.
Last update: August 2025
Download and install the Visafoto (7ID) app on your phone!
