Nikah Nama vs. NADRA Marriage Certificate in Pakistan In Pakistan, the process of legalizing a marriage involves two distinct but equally important documents: the Nikah Nama and the NADRA Marriage Registration Certificate (MRC). While many couples assume the handwritten Nikah Nama is sufficient, the computerized NADRA certificate has become a mandatory requirement for official and international matters in 2026.
Understanding the difference between these two is crucial for updating your legal identity, traveling abroad, or managing family assets.
What is the Difference Between Nikah Nama and NADRA Marriage Certificate?
The primary difference lies in their format and authority. The Nikah Nama is a religious and manual contract, whereas the NADRA Marriage Certificate is a computerized civil record.
While the Nikah Nama is the basic legal foundation of a marriage, it is not widely accepted for modern administrative tasks. You specifically need the NADRA certificate for:
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Visa and Immigration: Foreign embassies (US, UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia) strictly require the computerized bilingual certificate for spouse visas.
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Updating CNIC: For a wife to change her father’s name to her husband’s name on her CNIC, NADRA requires the computerized MRC.
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Passport Issuance: Marital status updates on passports are based on NADRA’s digital records.
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Family Registration Certificate (FRC): You cannot add your spouse to your FRC without the marriage being registered in the NADRA database.
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Legal Claims: Essential for inheritance, banking, and child birth certificate registration.
How to Get Your NADRA Marriage Certificate (Step-by-Step)
You do not get this certificate directly from a NADRA office. Instead, it is issued by your local government office.
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Gather Manual Nikah Nama: Ensure your Urdu Nikah Nama is properly signed, thumb-marked, and stamped by the Nikah Registrar.
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Visit Local Authority: Go to the Union Council, TMA, or Cantonment Board office in the area where your Nikah was solemnized.
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Submit Required Documents:
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Copy of Manual Nikah Nama.
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CNIC copies of the Bride and Groom.
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CNIC copies of the Bride’s and Groom’s fathers.
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CNIC copy of the Nikah Khawan (Molvi).
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Pay the Fee: Submit the official registration fee (typically ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 depending on the region and urgency).
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Biometric & Collection: Provide any necessary biometrics. Your certificate is usually ready within 3 to 7 working days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I check my marriage certificate online? No, as of 2026, the NADRA Marriage Registration Certificate cannot be verified through a public online portal for privacy reasons. Verification must be done through the issuing Union Council or by scanning the QR code on the certificate if available.
What if I lost my manual Nikah Nama? You can obtain a certified “Extract” or copy of your Nikah Nama from the Union Council where it was originally registered or through the Nikah Registrar’s records.
Is it possible to register an old marriage now? Yes. You can register a marriage from 10 or 20 years ago as long as you have the original manual Nikah Nama and valid CNICs of both parties.
Note: For overseas Pakistanis, the NADRA certificate must often be further attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to be legally valid in foreign countries.