NADRA Identity Card Name Change

What does name change on CNIC mean?

Changing your name on your national identity card issued by the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) means updating your legal name as shown on your Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) or Smart CNIC. This might be needed for reasons such as marriage, divorce, spelling correction, or a full legal name change. According to the official NADRA Registration Policy, the “name” is a printable field: changing it triggers issuance of a new card.

Having the correct name in your CNIC matters because banks, passport offices, e-services, and other institutions rely on it. A mismatch can cause delays in travel, visa applications, or financial services.

Why you might need to change your name

Here are some common scenarios when a name change is needed:

• Following marriage or divorce, especially for women who may adopt or revert a last name.
• Correcting misspelt or wrongly transliterated names (English/Urdu mismatch).
• After a legal name change through court order or affidavit.
• To update a maiden name or change father’s/husband’s name listed. NADRA now allows married women to choose whether to display their father’s name or husband’s name on the CNIC.
• Minor spelling adjustments to match educational or passport records.

What are the official rules and limitations?

• The Registration Policy states that name changes are applied for the “printable field” which means a new card will be issued.
• In general, once a male applicant changes his name, the change is considered final (no further changes), though female applicants have more flexibility for changes tied to marital status.
• For standard cases, you cannot change your name multiple times unless exceptional approval by Regional Registration Officer is granted.

Documents required and fee structure

Documents

While the exact list varies depending on your situation, commonly required documents include:

• Original CNIC and photocopy.
• Proof of name change, such as:
  • Marriage certificate/Nikahnama (if name change due to marriage)
  • Divorce decree (if reverting to maiden name)
  • Affidavit or court order (for other legal name changes)
  • Educational certificate or birth certificate (for spelling correction)
  • Father/husband CNIC copy (if changing their name field)
• Biometric verification at NADRA registration centre.

Fee & processing time

Here’s a breakdown of fees and time-frames for name change/modification:

Service Type	Fee Estimate*	Processing Time
Normal	Rs 400 – Rs 750	~30 days
Urgent	Rs 1,150 – Rs 1,500	~15 working days
Executive	Rs 2,500	~7 working days

*Fees vary depending on card type (Smart CNIC vs older CNIC) and service level.

Step-by-step process

Here’s how you can apply for a name change on your CNIC:

1. Visit the nearest NADRA Registration Centre (NRC) or Mega-Centre with your documents.
2. Collect a token, wait your turn, and submit your original CNIC with document copies.
3. Undergo biometric verification, fingerprints, photograph, signature.
4. Submit the required documents proving reason for the name change.
5. Choose service category (normal/urgent/executive) and pay the fee.
6. You’ll receive a receipt/tracking number. Check status via SMS or NADRA portal (e.g., send CNIC number to 8400 for updates).
7. Once approved, your new CNIC is printed & you’ll be notified. Collect it from the same centre (or receive delivery, depending on service).

Key things to check and tips

• Ensure that your name matches across all your documents – passport, education certificates, CNIC. Mismatches cause delays.
• Double-check Urdu and English spellings. Many issues arise from transliteration errors.
• Married women: decide whether you want father’s or husband’s name on the CNIC, it’s now your choice.
• Keep proof of your old name (marriage certificate, affidavit) as future checks may ask.
• If you’re overseas, check how name changes for NICOP/POC are handled, some steps may differ.
• Plan ahead: if you need to travel, open a bank account or apply for visa, allow sufficient processing time.

Common scenarios and how to handle them

• Spelling correction only: Provide your CNIC and original educational certificate showing correct spelling. The process is faster.
• Name change after marriage/divorce: Submit marriage certificate or divorce decree plus relevant CNICs.
• Full legal name change (e.g., changing given name): You’ll typically need a court order or gazette, plus full verification.
• Correction of father/husband field: Provide CNIC of father/husband and relevant proof, especially if the name on their CNIC was wrong.

FAQs

1. Can I apply online for a name change?
   At present, full name change services (especially for printable field) generally require an in-person visit to a NADRA centre.
2. How long does it take to get the updated CNIC?
   Normal service: about 30 days; Urgent: about 15 working days; Executive: around 7 working days.
3. How much does it cost?
   Fees vary: for example normal Rs 400-750; urgent Rs 1,150-1,500; executive Rs 2,500 depending on card type.
4. What if only my name spelling is wrong?
   You are eligible to apply for a correction-only change rather than a full legal name change, which simplifies the process.
5. Can a woman revert to her maiden name after divorce?
   Yes, with the relevant divorce certificate and supporting documents, the name can be updated on the CNIC.
6. Can I change my father or husband’s name shown on my CNIC?
   Yes, you can apply to correct the father/husband name field; NADRA has issued guidelines for this.
7. Will all my previous documents still be valid after changing name?
   Yes, they are valid but you should keep them as supporting proof of the previous name when dealing with authorities.
8. Does changing name on CNIC affect my passport or bank account automatically?
   No, you’ll need to inform or update your passport, bank and other institutions separately after your CNIC is updated.
9. What happens if I use a different name on other documents like education certificates?
   It can cause complications especially for foreign travel or visa applications. It’s best to align your CNIC name with key certificates.
10. Is there a limit on how many times I can change my name?
    For male applicants changing the “name” printable field, only one change is generally allowed unless approved. Female applicants have flexibility tied to marital status.

Conclusion

Getting your name correctly reflected on your CNIC is essential for seamless interaction with government services, banks, travel and more. The process with NADRA is straightforward if you gather the proper documents, follow the steps carefully and allow enough processing time. If you’re planning a name update, do it early that way you’ll avoid surprises later. Best of luck with your application.