KARACHI: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a new “Birth Notification Tool” that activates an SMS system immediately after the birth of a child, enabling faster registration and legal identification, officials said.
Under the new system, parents will receive an instant SMS notification once a child is born at a hospital or medical facility, streamlining the process of birth registration and reducing delays in obtaining legal identity documents.
According to NADRA spokesperson Syed Shahbat Ali, the initiative aims to align Pakistan’s civil registration system with international standards, where legal identity processes begin immediately at birth. He said Pakistan’s previous system often faced delays in early registration.
The new system has been launched in collaboration with public and private hospitals. The SMS received by parents serves as an initial record that assists in registering the birth at the relevant Union Council.
Officials said the first step in the registration process is the issuance of a birth certificate from the Union Council, which is mandatory for all subsequent official documentation. Parents can complete this process using their national identity cards along with hospital birth records or the birth notification SMS.
NADRA has also enabled access to this facility through the “Pak Identity” mobile application in Sindh and Punjab, while expansion is underway in Balochistan. Implementation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is pending approval, officials added.
After Union Council registration, a Child Registration Certificate (CRC), commonly known as the “B-Form,” is issued. For children under three years of age, NADRA center visits are not required, while older children must provide photographs and biometric data.
The spokesperson explained that CRC validity is structured in phases: certificates for children under three years remain valid for three years, while biometric verification becomes mandatory after the age of ten. Upon turning 18, the CRC expires and a national identity card must be obtained.
He further clarified that the “Juvenile Card” is essentially a card version of the B-Form, introduced for convenience in schools and institutions, and carries the same legal status as the CRC.
To obtain a B-Form, parents must first acquire a birth certificate from the Union Council and then visit a NADRA center with their original identity cards and the child. The process can also be completed online via the Pak ID mobile application.
NADRA advised citizens to refer to its official YouTube channel for detailed guidance on the CRC process and the Pak Identity application.
