NADRA tweaks age rules for overseas Pakistanis

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has revised its guidelines for age modification requests on National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).

Now, applicants living abroad can submit requests for age changes through various channels. These include the Pak ID mobile app, the nearest NADRA Registration Center, or the Pakistani embassy or consulate in their country of residence.

The new policy offers flexibility for those needing to correct or adjust their age in NADRA records. Several cases and document requirements are outlined under the revised rules. In cases where there is an unnatural age gap between siblings (less than 7 months), an age change of up to 1 year (366 days) can be made without any documents. If the age change is up to 1 year, applicants must submit a local or foreign birth certificate. 

For a second-time change (up to 366 days), documents like a Pakistani or foreign passport, resident permit, or Matric certificate are necessary. An initial age modification of up to 5 years is allowed once, provided the applicant submits any of the following: a Pakistani passport, Matric certificate, a recent mark sheet (issued within the last 3 years), or a service book.

NADRA has also released a revised fee structure based on how much the age is being changed and how many times the modification has been requested. The fees are as follows:

• Up to 1 year: $5
• Over 1 year to 2 years: $25
• Over 2 years to 3 years: $40
• Over 3 years: $65
• Second-time change (any range): $125

These steps aim to make the process smoother and more accessible, especially for overseas Pakistanis.