How to Change Your Name on a CNIC in Pakistan: Birth Certificate First, Rs 400 Fee

Short answer: To change your name on a CNIC, NADRA says you must first change the name on your birth certificate, if one is registered. If it is not, you give a name change deed on NADRA's prescribed format. Then you apply for a CNIC modification, which costs Rs 400 at normal speed.

A spelling mistake or a legal name change can block a bank account, a passport or a job. Fixing the CNIC first is the right order, because every other document follows it.

We read NADRA's CNIC page and its fee structure page on 13 October 2026. The page tells you the order of steps, but it sends you to a policy chapter for the full document list. We did not read that chapter, so we mark that gap below.

Fix the birth certificate before the CNIC

NADRA's FAQ says that for a name change, you first change the name on your birth certificate if it is registered. If you have no registered birth certificate, you give a name change deed on the prescribed format instead.

The birth certificate comes from your Union Council, Cantonment Board or CDA. Our page on how to get a birth certificate explains that office. Do not start the NADRA application until the new certificate is in your hand, because NADRA checks it against its record.

Apply under the update or modify category

NADRA says a citizen applies under "Update / Modify" to change demographic data, a photo, a signature or other particulars. This is the same category used for most card corrections. You can apply on the PakID app or at a NADRA Registration Centre.

1. Collect your new or corrected birth certificate, or prepare the name change deed on NADRA's format.
2. Take your original CNIC.
3. At the centre, get a token and choose the field to modify, which is your name.
4. Give your photograph and fingerprints.
5. Answer the interview questions from the officer in charge.
6. Pay the fee and wait for the card to be printed.

On the PakID app, the page lists the same flow: sign in, fill in your details, upload the documents and visit a centre if asked. Biometrics may still need a visit. You can book a NADRA appointment online to avoid a long queue.

The fee is Rs 400 at normal speed for a plain CNIC

NADRA's fee table lists a CNIC modification at Rs 400 on normal priority, 15 days. Urgent is Rs 1,150 in 12 days and executive is Rs 2,150 in 6 days. A Smart NIC modification is Rs 750 in 31 days.

The name change deed may carry its own stamp paper or notary cost. NADRA's pages do not list that cost, so ask when you prepare the deed. For a wider view of charges, read why fee pages disagree.

The full document list sits in a policy chapter

For required documents, the CNIC page does not list them. It points to the chapter "Change / Correction in Identity Documents" of the NADRA Registration Policy. We did not read that chapter, so we cannot list every paper for every case.

Ask the information desk at the centre before you travel, or call NADRA on 1777. If the answer seems wrong, use the steps to complain to NADRA. Track the application as shown in the NADRA tracking guide.

Update every other document after the CNIC

Once the new CNIC arrives, your other records still carry the old name. Change them in this order: passport, bank accounts, mobile SIM, tax record, utility accounts and school or work records.

For the passport, read how to change a name on a passport, because DGI&P asks for the revised CNIC. For a wrong date of birth, see the date of birth fee page. For a marriage update, read updating a CNIC after marriage.

Common questions

How do I change my name on my CNIC?

Change the name on your birth certificate first, or give a name change deed if none is registered. Then apply for a CNIC modification.

How much does a CNIC name change cost?

NADRA lists Rs 400 at normal priority for a CNIC modification and Rs 750 for a Smart NIC modification.

How long does the change take?

NADRA lists 15 days at normal priority for a CNIC and 31 days for a Smart NIC.

Can I change my name on the PakID app?

NADRA's page lists the app for update and modify requests. You may still be asked to visit a centre for biometrics.

Can a married woman keep her father's name?

Yes. NADRA says that under current policy a woman may choose to keep her father's or her husband's name.

Do I need a marriage certificate to show "married"?

Yes. NADRA says a marriage certificate from the Union Council, Cantonment Board or CDA is mandatory.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked on 13 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read NADRA's CNIC page and FAQ and its fee structure page. We did not file a name change. The page does not list the documents for every case, and the name change deed cost is not stated.