NADRA
Last Updated: September 2026
Yes, a child born abroad can get a NICOP. NADRA’s own FAQ says the child of a Pakistani couple born overseas can obtain one at any NADRA Registration Centre abroad, at a Pakistani mission or through the PakID app, on an S-1 form or a detailed foreign birth certificate. The same baby can also get a Child Registration Certificate (CRC, the B-Form). They are different documents at different prices: a CRC costs PKR 50, while a Smart NICOP costs USD 39 in Zone A (USA and Europe) or USD 20 in Zone B (Middle East and Africa) on Normal processing.
Which one to take, whether the child needs a passport first, and where NADRA’s rules and your mission’s page part company are what this guide sorts out. The birth registration itself is covered in our birth certificate guide, and the Pakistan side of newborn registration in our guide to registering a newborn with NADRA.
CRC or NICOP: which does a baby born abroad need?
| Feature | CRC (B-Form) | Smart NICOP |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A paper certificate | An identity card for Pakistani citizens abroad |
| NADRA fee | PKR 50 Normal (7 days) or PKR 500 Executive (1 day). No Urgent tier | Zone A: USD 39, 57 or 75. Zone B: USD 20, 30 or 40 (Normal 31 days, Urgent 23, Executive 9) |
| Validity | Expires at 3, 10 and 18 | 10 years. Under 14, 10 years or until 18, whichever comes first |
| Visa-free entry to Pakistan | Not mentioned on NADRA’s CRC page | NADRA’s NICOP page says it allows visa-free entry |
| Named for a child’s Pakistani passport | Yes: NADRA’s FAQ asks for a valid CRC with picture, or a Juvenile Card | Not named on that page |
NADRA does not tell a family which to take. Its Registration Policy says only that a minor living abroad or intending to live abroad has an option to register through a NICOP. The practical split:
- The baby will travel to Pakistan on a foreign passport. The NICOP is the document NADRA says allows visa-free entry. Entry conditions are Pakistan’s immigration rules rather than NADRA’s, so check with the airline or your mission before you rely on either document.
- You need a Pakistani passport for the child. NADRA’s FAQ names the CRC or Juvenile Card for a passport for a child under 18. Ask your mission what it accepts, because the NICOP is not named there.
- You want a NADRA record and nothing more, cheaply. The CRC, at PKR 50.
- You want both. Take the CRC first and convert later. The Registration Policy lists a conversion from a CRC to a Smart NICOP, and NADRA publishes no separate fee for it, so ask what the counter charges.
Step one: the birth has to be on record
NADRA accepts either an S-1 form, which is the birth registration form for a child born abroad issued by a Pakistani embassy, consulate or mission, or a detailed foreign birth certificate. On NADRA’s side you need only one of them. Missions can be stricter. Houston’s NADRA desk lists an S-1 form attested by the mission where the child was born alongside the state birth certificate, and the Los Angeles page asks for a detailed birth certificate naming both parents. Houston says registering the birth confirms the child’s Pakistani citizenship, which is what allows the NICOP, CNIC or passport to follow.
| Where | Registration fee | Age window |
|---|---|---|
| Consulate General, Houston | USD 50 by card | Not stated on its page |
| Embassy, Washington | USD 32 by card or USD 30 by cheque | Children under two |
| Embassy, Stockholm | SEK 110 | Within one year of birth |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs general page | 10 euro | Preferably within six months |
Each mission sets its own fee and age window, so read the page for the one you will use. Miss a mission’s window and the fallback is the detailed foreign birth certificate, which NADRA’s NICOP FAQ accepts in place of an S-1 form and for which it states no age limit.
What NADRA asks for a child’s NICOP
For a fresh registration of a non-resident citizen under 18, NADRA’s Registration Policy (RP-6.0.2) lists:
- An application by or on behalf of the minor, through the mobile app.
- The identity card number of a parent or guardian.
- A foreign detailed birth certificate or an S-1 form issued by a Pakistani mission, or a citizenship or naturalisation certificate.
- A foreign passport, a residence permit, a travel document or an Undertaking “A” attested by the mission. The next section covers when this is optional.
- Biometric verification by one of the parents or the guardian, or attestation of the application form under Regulation 9.
Some remarks in the same policy apply to every fresh registration and matter for a family:
- Parents come first for verification. If the parents are not alive or available, a sibling verifies. If neither can, the application form is attested, and in that case the child cannot be declared head of the family.
- A guardian can apply with a guardianship certificate issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
- A parent’s Pakistani passport can prove the birth. The policy accepts the child’s endorsement on a parent’s Pakistani passport as birth proof.
- A registered parent is enough to proceed. Where any one of the parents is registered with NADRA and the card is not digitally impounded, the children are to be registered without hindrance.
- The child’s religion is recorded as the father’s, or the mother’s if the father is not registered.
The passport question
| Source | What it says about a passport for a child |
|---|---|
| NADRA’s NICOP page, non-residents | A Pakistani or foreign passport, or a residence permit, travel document or Undertaking “A” attested by the mission |
| NADRA’s Registration Policy, minors | A foreign passport, residence permit, travel document or Undertaking “A”, next to the S-1 form or foreign birth certificate |
| The same policy, remarks on fresh registration | If a non-resident applicant is under 10 and provides an S-1 form or a foreign birth certificate, a passport or any other document is optional |
| Los Angeles consulate, child born in the USA | A valid US passport, not required for children under 3 |
| Houston NADRA desk | A Pakistani passport, valid or expired, is listed among the requirements, with no age exemption stated |
Important: NADRA’s policy makes a passport optional for a non-resident applicant under 10 who has an S-1 form or a foreign birth certificate, but its own NICOP page and two consulate pages list one without that exception. Start with the list your mission publishes, since it decides what its desk will accept. If a counter asks for a passport that a baby does not have, ask whether the under-10 exception in NADRA’s policy applies.
Who has to be there
At a NADRA Registration Centre, NADRA’s FAQ says the presence of a parent or a sibling along with the child is mandatory. NADRA adds that a minor’s NICOP can also be processed through the PakID app of a parent or sibling. Missions have their own rules. Los Angeles asks for the physical presence of either parent, says a baby under 18 months does not need to attend if a recent digital photo is provided, and requires biometrics from age 10. It also asks for two references who are not spouses or blood relatives, whose physical presence is not needed. Both parents’ CNIC or NICOP should show an updated marital status, so update the marriage record first if it is not on NADRA’s file. Our guide to adding a spouse to NADRA records covers that.
How to apply
- The PakID app. NADRA’s steps are: download the app, create an account or sign in, select “New NICOP”, fill in the details, upload the documents, visit a NADRA Registration Centre if required, and track the application. NADRA warns that biometric verification and the photograph may need a visit, so plan for one. Our Pak Identity app guide covers the app.
- A NADRA Registration Centre abroad. A parent or sibling attends with the child. Our guide to applying for NADRA documents from abroad lists the centres.
- A Pakistani mission. Usually by appointment. Los Angeles states that its NADRA services are by appointment only, and Houston describes its NADRA desk as there to help applicants who are having difficulty with the online process.
What it costs
| Charge | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|
| Smart NICOP, Zone A (USA and Europe) | USD 39 Normal, 57 Urgent, 75 Executive | NADRA |
| Smart NICOP, Zone B (Middle East and Africa) | USD 20 Normal, 30 Urgent, 40 Executive | NADRA |
| CRC, all categories | PKR 50 Normal, PKR 500 Executive | NADRA |
| Consulate service charge, Houston | USD 60 on each application | The mission |
| Delivery abroad | Varies from country to country | NADRA |
| Delivery within Pakistan | PKR 165 | NADRA |
NADRA lists no separate rate for a minor’s NICOP, so the adult Smart NICOP figures apply as published. Which zone your country falls in, and what your mission adds, are in our guide to NICOP fees and processing time. Check the validity before paying for Executive: a card issued to a child under 14 can expire at 18 instead of running ten years.
Validity, and the new QR code card
A Smart NICOP for a minor is valid for 10 years, except that for a child under 14 it runs for 10 years or until 18, whichever comes first. A CRC expires at 3, 10 and 18. NADRA announced on 14 August 2026 that its new chipless QR code card will replace the standard NIC first, and from January 2027 will also be issued for NICOP and Juvenile Cards, with cards already issued staying valid until they expire. NADRA has not published a fee for the new card. Our Smart NICOP guide covers the card formats.
An older child, or a child who already has a CRC
A child past a mission’s registration window can still apply directly: NADRA’s FAQ asks for an S-1 form or a detailed birth certificate and states no age limit. Note that the under-10 passport exception is stated only for fresh registrations. For a child who already holds a CRC, the conversion row lists a passport, residence permit, travel document or Undertaking “A” for non-resident applicants, together with the CRC number and biometric verification by a parent, an adult sibling or a guardian. NADRA punches the old document and returns it to you, and if you no longer have it you sign a system-generated undertaking.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the CRC is the only document for a baby born abroad. NADRA’s FAQ offers the NICOP too.
- Waiting for a passport before applying. NADRA’s policy makes it optional under 10 with an S-1 form or foreign birth certificate.
- Counting on a CRC for visa-free entry. NADRA says that of the NICOP, and says nothing of the kind about the CRC.
- Paying Executive on a child under 14 without checking the validity. The card may expire at 18.
- Missing the mission’s age window for the birth registration. Washington takes children under two and Stockholm within one year.
- Reading a mission’s charge as NADRA’s fee. Houston adds USD 60 to every application.
- Arriving with an out-of-date marriage record. Los Angeles asks for parents’ cards with an updated marital status.
- Sending someone other than a parent or sibling. NADRA requires one of them with the child.
Sources: the NICOP eligibility, requirements, app steps, the child-born-abroad and minor answers and the visa-free entry statement are from NADRA’s NICOP page; the fees, validity periods and delivery charges from its fee structure (site version V3.1.3); and the minor’s NICOP requirements, the remarks on fresh registration and the CRC conversion row from the Registration Policy RP-6.0.2, issued 18 September 2026 (pages 9, 11 and 18). The QR code card details are from NADRA’s media release of 14 August 2026. The mission rules are from the Los Angeles consulate’s NADRA services page, the Houston consulate’s NADRA desk and birth registration pages, all read on 30 September 2026, and the Washington, Stockholm and Ministry of Foreign Affairs registration fees and windows as read on 22 and 27 September 2026. Missions change their pages without notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about this topic.
Can a baby born abroad get a NICOP?
Yes. NADRA’s NICOP FAQ says a child born abroad to a Pakistani couple can obtain a NICOP at any NADRA Registration Centre abroad, at a Pakistani mission or through the PakID app, by providing an S-1 form or a detailed birth certificate. The birth registration comes first, and missions set their own fees and age windows for it.
Should I get a CRC or a NICOP for my newborn abroad?
NADRA leaves the choice to the family and calls the NICOP an option for a minor living abroad. The CRC is the cheap paper certificate, PKR 50 on Normal processing, and NADRA names it for a child’s Pakistani passport. The NICOP costs USD 39 in Zone A or USD 20 in Zone B and is the document NADRA says allows visa-free entry into Pakistan. You can take the CRC first and convert it later.
Does a newborn need a passport to get a NICOP?
NADRA’s Registration Policy says that for a non-resident applicant under 10 who provides an S-1 form or a foreign birth certificate, a passport or any other document is optional. NADRA’s NICOP page lists a passport, residence permit, travel document or Undertaking “A” for non-residents in general, and missions differ: Los Angeles does not require a US passport under 3, while Houston lists a Pakistani passport with no age exemption. Follow your mission’s list, and ask about the under-10 exception if a counter asks for a passport.
How much does a NICOP for a child cost?
NADRA lists no separate child rate, so the Smart NICOP fee applies: USD 39, 57 or 75 in Zone A (USA and Europe) and USD 20, 30 or 40 in Zone B (Middle East and Africa), for Normal, Urgent and Executive. Missions add their own charges. Houston adds a USD 60 consulate service charge to each application, and delivery abroad varies by country.
Does the baby have to be present?
At a NADRA Registration Centre, NADRA’s FAQ says a parent or sibling must be present with the child. Los Angeles says a baby under 18 months does not need to attend if a recent digital photo is provided, and requires biometrics from age 10. The PakID app can process a minor’s NICOP through a parent’s or sibling’s account, though NADRA warns that biometric verification and the photograph may still need a visit.
How long is a child’s NICOP valid?
NADRA gives a Smart NICOP for a minor 10 years, but for a child under 14 it runs for 10 years or until age 18, whichever comes first. A CRC expires at 3, 10 and 18.
Can I get a CRC now and a NICOP later?
Yes. NADRA’s Registration Policy lists a conversion from a CRC to a Smart NICOP. For a non-resident applicant the conversion row asks for a passport, residence permit, travel document or Undertaking “A”, and NADRA publishes no separate conversion fee, so ask what the counter charges.
Does a NICOP let a baby enter Pakistan without a visa?
NADRA’s NICOP page says the NICOP allows visa-free entry into Pakistan, and its CRC page says nothing about visas. Entry conditions are set by Pakistan’s immigration rules rather than by NADRA, so confirm with the airline or your mission before travelling, especially for a dual national on a foreign passport.
Who can apply for the child?
A parent, or a legal guardian holding a guardianship certificate. NADRA’s policy asks for the parent’s or guardian’s ID card number and biometric verification by one parent or the guardian. If the parents are not available a sibling verifies, and failing that the application form is attested, in which case the child cannot be declared head of the family. Los Angeles asks for the physical presence of either parent.
