How to Change the Address on Your CNIC in Pakistan Through NADRA
Moved house? Change your CNIC address through the Pak-ID app or a NADRA centre. See the reported papers, the fee to confirm and the steps in order first.
To change the address on your CNIC, you apply for a modification through the Pak-ID app or at a NADRA centre, with proof of the new address. Reported papers are your original CNIC, a relative's CNIC with the same address and a utility bill. NADRA's own fee page would not load for us, so check the fee before you pay.
We tried to read NADRA's fee and service pages on 8 October 2026. The main NADRA site opened but did not list a fee for address changes, and the Pak-ID web page returned an access error. So the papers, fees and times below are reported, not read from NADRA. We say so each time.
That caution matters because sites disagree on NADRA fees. We found that out when we compared four of them in the guide to why NADRA fee pages disagree.
Apply through the Pak-ID app or a NADRA centre
You can apply in two ways. One is the NADRA Pak-ID app, which reports say lets you upload papers, verify your face or fingerprint and pay online. The other is to walk into a NADRA centre with your papers.
The app is the easier route for a simple address change. A centre is better if your papers are unusual or your fingerprints do not scan.
If you need a time slot at a centre, see the guide to booking a NADRA appointment online. The addresses and hours of the large centres are in the list of NADRA Mega Centres.
Proof of the new address is the main document
NADRA wants proof that you live, or have a permanent link, at the new address. Reports list three items: your original CNIC, the original CNIC of a spouse or blood relative who has the same address, and a utility bill that shows the address.
The bill should be recent and should show the address you want on the card. If the bill is in a relative's name, a relative's CNIC with the same address is the usual bridge.
Ask NADRA to confirm the list before you go. Rules differ if you are a tenant, a student or living in a family home that is not in your name.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Your original CNIC | Reported as required |
| Spouse or blood relative's CNIC with the same address | Reported as required |
| Recent utility bill showing the address | Reported as required |
| Fee | Not confirmed by NADRA, see below |
The fee depends on the speed you choose
One report gives Rs 750 for normal, Rs 1,500 for urgent and Rs 2,500 for executive service for a local card. We could not confirm those on NADRA's own page. Another report gives different numbers for another service.
So treat Rs 750 as reported, not as fact. The Pak-ID app shows the fee before you pay, and a centre must give you a receipt. Compare the two before you accept.
If you want the card at home, the delivery option is explained in the guide to NADRA CNIC home delivery. Reports mention about seven working days for processing, but we could not confirm that either.
- Collect your CNIC and a relative's CNIC with the same address.
- Get a recent utility bill showing the new address.
- Open the Pak-ID app, or choose a NADRA centre and book a slot.
- Choose the modification service and the address field.
- Check the fee on screen, then pay and keep the receipt.
- Track the application and collect or receive the new card.
What an address change does not change
An address change updates the card and the NADRA record. It does not change your domicile or your family registration. Those are separate documents with their own rules.
If you are moving provinces and need a new domicile, read the guide to applying for a domicile certificate. If the family record also needs a fix, see the guide to the NADRA Family Registration Certificate.
Your SIMs, bank and tax records may still show the old address. Update the bank first, because many banks ask for a new CNIC copy before they change their file.
Common questions about changing a CNIC address
Can I change my CNIC address online?
Reports say yes, through the Pak-ID app. We could not open the NADRA web portal to confirm, so check the app for the current options.
Do I need a utility bill in my own name?
Reports say a bill showing your permanent address is needed. If the bill is in a relative's name, bring that relative's CNIC. Confirm with NADRA first.
How much does it cost?
One report gives Rs 750 for the normal service. NADRA's own page did not confirm it, so check the app or the counter before paying.
Will my old card still work?
Keep it until the new card arrives. Ask NADRA when the old card stops being valid, because we could not confirm that.
Does it update my domicile?
No. Domicile is a separate certificate from the district authorities.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 8 October 2026. We tried the NADRA main site and the Pak-ID web page. The main site did not list an address change fee and the Pak-ID page returned an access error. The papers, fee and processing time above come from published reports of NADRA's process and are marked as reported. Check the current details with NADRA on 1777 or at a NADRA centre.
About the author
Public Services and Education Journalist
Fajr Riaz is a journalist and content writer at Pakistan Era, based in Lahore. She covers the questions people meet in everyday life in Pakistan: how a public service works, what a change in the rules means, and where to find a reliable answer.
