My cousin Sara missed out on a government job last year because of one spelling mistake on her CNIC. Her name is “Sara” but her CNIC said “Sarah” with an extra H. She thought it didn’t matter. Just one letter, right?
Wrong. During document verification, the interviewer said: “Your degrees say Sara. Your CNIC says Sarah. These don’t match. Application rejected.”
She spent two months figuring out how to correct CNIC information via NADRA. By the time she fixed it, the job was gone.
Don’t make Sara’s mistake. If your CNIC has wrong information, fix it immediately. Let me show you exactly how to correct CNIC information via NADRA in 2026 without wasting time or money.
Why Even Small Mistakes Matter
Before I explain how to correct CNIC information via NADRA, understand why this is urgent.
Wrong name spelling? Can’t open a bank account. Name on CNIC doesn’t match your degree? Job applications get rejected. Date of birth is wrong? Passport application fails.
Learning how to correct CNIC information via NADRA early saves you from these problems later.
My neighbor’s CNIC showed his father’s name as “Muhammad Ahmed” but his actual name was “Mohammad Ahmad.” Just two letters different. This mistake blocked his visa application to Canada. The embassy rejected it three times before he learned how to correct CNIC information via NADRA properly.
Small mistakes create big problems. Fix them now.
What Changed in 2026
Good news. NADRA made the correction process much easier in 2026. Understanding how to correct CNIC information via NADRA in 2026 is simpler than ever before.
Before 2026, you needed lawyers, affidavits, attestations, multiple visits. People spent months fixing simple spelling mistakes. Now? The process how to correct CNIC information via NADRA takes maximum 30 days. Most cases finish in 15-20 days.
What NADRA improved
Biometric verification instead of manual checking. Your fingerprints confirm your identity. No more running after witnesses. Less paperwork. Simple corrections don’t need affidavits anymore.
District level boards. Every district handles corrections locally. Faster processing. Online tracking. Check your application status from home. No more visiting NADRA offices repeatedly. The 2026 improvements make it much simpler to correct CNIC information via NADRA compared to previous years.
Step 1: Understand What You Can Correct
Not everything can be changed easily. Let me explain what falls under the process to correct CNIC information via NADRA.
Easy corrections (usually approved within 15 days)
Spelling mistakes in your name Missing middle name Father’s name spelling errors Wrong date of birth (if you have proof) Address update
Difficult corrections (need more documents, take longer)
Complete name change after marriage Name change due to religion conversion Major date of birth correction Adding or removing family members
If your correction is “easy,” the process to correct CNIC information via NADRA will be quick. If it’s “difficult,” expect more documentation and time.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
This is critical. Wrong or missing documents will delay your correction for weeks. Here’s exactly what you need that how to correct CNIC information via NADRA:
1. Your current CNIC (the one with wrong information)
2. Birth certificate or Form B showing correct information
3. Educational certificates (Matric, Intermediate, Degree) with correct spelling
4. If married, your marriage certificate (NADRA issued Nikah Nama)
5. If correcting father’s name, his CNIC copy
6. Affidavit on stamp paper (only for major changes like full name change)
My friend tried to correct his date of birth. He brought his CNIC and Matric certificate. But his Matric certificate also had the wrong date! NADRA rejected his application.
He had to get his educational record corrected first, then came back to correct CNIC information via NADRA. Wasted two extra months. Make sure ALL your documents show the CORRECT information before you start.
Step 3: Visit Your Nearest NADRA Registration Center
You cannot correct CNIC information via NADRA online (as of January 2026). You must visit a NADRA Registration Center physically. Knowing how to correct CNIC information via NADRA means knowing you need this in person visit.
Find the nearest center
Go to nadra.gov.pk Click “Find NADRA Office” Enter your city Get address and timings
Reach early. NADRA centers get crowded by 10 AM. If you arrive by 8-8:30 AM, you’ll save hours of waiting.
Take a token. Tell the staff you need CNIC correction. They’ll give you a specific token number for correction counter.
My experience: I helped my uncle correct his father’s name. We reached Lahore NADRA center at 9:30 AM. Got token number 47. Waited 2 hours. If we’d come at 8 AM, we’d have been done in 30 minutes.
Step 4: Fill the Correction Form Carefully
At the correction counter, staff will give you a CNIC correction form. This form is CRITICAL. Mistakes here will reject your application.
How to fill it correctly when you correct CNIC information via NADRA
Write your current CNIC number clearly at the top. In “Current Information” section, write exactly what’s WRONG on your CNIC now. In “Correct Information” section, write exactly what SHOULD be on your CNIC.
Match the “Correct Information” with your supporting documents EXACTLY. Not similar. EXACT.
Example
If your Matric certificate says “Muhammad Asif” don’t write “Mohd Asif” or “M. Asif” on the form. Write exactly “Muhammad Asif.” The NADRA officer will cross check your form with your documents. Any mismatch means rejection.
My cousin’s application got rejected because she wrote “Ayesha” on the form but her birth certificate said “Aisha.” Same name, different spelling. NADRA rejected it. She had to reapply with exact spelling.
When you want to learn how to correct CNIC information via NADRA, exactness matters more than anything.
Step 5: Biometric Verification
After form submission, you’ll give biometric data. NADRA will scan all 10 fingerprints and take your photo.
This confirms you’re the real CNIC holder. This step is why the 2026 process to correct CNIC information via NADRA is more secure and faster than before.
The officer will also verify your documents while you’re there. They’ll check if your birth certificate matches your form. If your educational certificates are genuine. This whole process takes 15-30 minutes if everything is correct.
Step 6: Pay the Fee
NADRA charges fees to correct CNIC information via NADRA based on service speed. Understanding how to correct CNIC information via NADRA includes knowing these costs upfront.
2026 Fee Structure
Normal processing (25-30 days): 1,200 PKR Urgent processing (12-15 days): 2,500 PKR Executive processing (7-10 days): 4,000 PKR. Most people choose normal processing. It’s cheapest and honestly fast enough.
Choose urgent only if you have an immediate need (job interview, visa application deadline). Pay at the designated bank counter inside or near NADRA center. Keep your receipt. You’ll need it to collect your new CNIC.
Step 7: Track Your Application
After payment, you’ll get a tracking ID (also called token number or application number). This is how you check your correction status while they process your application to correct CNIC information via NADRA.
Three ways to track
Go to nadra.gov.pk, click “Track Application,” enter your tracking ID. Send an SMS to 8400 with your tracking ID. You’ll get status update.
Call NADRA helpline 111-786-100 (expensive but works if you’re stuck).
My friend checked his application status daily. Saw it change from “Under Process” to “Ready for Collection” after 18 days. Saved him from making unnecessary trips to NADRA office.
Step 8: Collect Your Corrected CNIC
When status shows “Ready for Collection,” visit the same NADRA center where you applied.
Bring
Your old CNIC (the wrong one) Your payment receipt Your original CNIC (they’ll take it back) They’ll give you new CNIC with corrected information.
Check it IMMEDIATELY before leaving the counter. Verify every detail. Name spelling. Father’s name. Date of birth. Everything. If anything is still wrong, point it out right there. Much easier to fix immediately than reapplying later.
This completes the process to correct CNIC information via NADRA successfully.
Common Mistakes People Make
After helping family and friends with how to correct CNIC information via NADRA, I’ve seen the same mistakes repeatedly. Avoiding these mistakes makes the process to correct CNIC information via NADRA much smoother.
Mistake 1
Not matching documents exactly. Your form says “Muhammad” but certificate says “Mohammad.” Application rejected.
Mistake 2
Bringing unattested documents. Educational certificates older than 2 years should be attested by the issuing board.
Mistake 3
Wrong category. Trying to correct date of birth under “spelling mistake” category. Choose the right correction type.
Mistake 4
Incomplete family tree. If you’re correcting your name, make sure your family members’ records also show correct spelling. NADRA cross checks family database.
Mistake 5
Expecting instant results. Even “urgent” processing takes 12-15 days minimum. Plan accordingly.
My neighbor made Mistake 4. He corrected his name to “Ali Raza” but his father’s CNIC still showed his son as “Ali Reza.” NADRA caught the mismatch. Rejected. He had to correct father’s CNIC first, then his own. Double time and money wasted.
Learn from others’ mistakes when you want to learn how to correct CNIC information via NADRA.
What If Your Application Gets Rejected?
Sometimes applications to correct CNIC information via NADRA get rejected.
Common rejection reasons
Documents don’t match Unclear photocopies Missing required certificates Wrong fee paid Biometric mismatch (rare but happens). If rejected, NADRA will tell you why. Fix that specific issue and reapply. You’ll pay fees again, unfortunately. Fees aren’t refundable even if rejected.
My advice
Get everything perfect the first time. Double check documents. Triple check form filling. Ask NADRA staff if unsure about anything. One rejection means 1,200 rupees and 3-4 weeks wasted. Not worth it.
Can You Hire an Agent?
Technically yes. Practically, I don’t recommend it when you learn how to correct CNIC information via NADRA yourself. Agents charge 5,000-15,000 rupees to help you how to correct CNIC information via NADRA. They promise “quick processing” and “guaranteed approval.”
Reality? They do exactly what I just explained. Nothing special. Nothing faster. They just fill your form and submit your documents. The 2026 process is already simple. You can absolutely do it yourself.
Save your money. Follow this guide. Visit NADRA once. Done. Only hire an agent if you’re overseas and have someone trustworthy who can handle it with your legal power of attorney.
For Overseas Pakistanis
If you live abroad and need to know how to correct CNIC information via NADRA from overseas, the process is slightly different. Many overseas Pakistanis ask about how to correct CNIC information via NADRA without visiting Pakistan.
Visit Pakistan Embassy or Consulate in your country. Most have NADRA facilitation desks.
You’ll need
Same documents as listed above Your current NICOP or CNIC Passport Overseas address proof Process takes longer. 45-60 days usually because documents need to be sent to Pakistan for verification. Fees are higher. Depends on the country. In USA, expect around $50-80.
My cousin in Canada corrected her mother’s name through Toronto consulate. Took exactly 52 days. But she didn’t need to travel to Pakistan, which would have cost much more.
Conclusion
Sara, my cousin who lost that job, eventually learned how to correct CNIC information via NADRA properly. She got her name spelling fixed. It took 22 days and 1,200 rupees.
She now has a different job. Better one, actually. But she always tells people: “Fix your CNIC mistakes immediately. Don’t wait for a problem.” That’s my advice too. If your CNIC has ANY wrong information, fix it this month. Don’t wait until you need it for a job, visa, or bank account. By then it’s too late.
The process to correct CNIC information via NADRA in 2026 is the easiest it’s ever been. 30 days maximum. 1,200 rupees for normal processing. Simple paperwork. Just gather correct documents, fill the form accurately, visit NADRA once, and you’re done.
Your CNIC is your primary identity document in Pakistan. Keep it accurate. Keep it updated. And if it has mistakes, now you know exactly how to correct CNIC information via NADRA without stress or confusion.
Don’t be like Sara who learned this lesson the hard way. Fix your CNIC today.
For more information about CNIC about there usage visit to our site: Visualpakistan.com
FAQs
Q1: How long does it take to correct CNIC information via NADRA?
Normal processing takes 25-30 working days, urgent processing takes 12-15 days, and executive service takes 7-10 days maximum in 2026.
Q2: How much does it cost to correct CNIC information via NADRA?
Normal service costs 1,200 PKR, urgent costs 2,500 PKR, and executive costs 4,000 PKR as of January 2026.
Q3: Can I correct my CNIC online?
No, you must physically visit a NADRA Registration Center to submit documents and give biometric verification for CNIC corrections.
Q4: What documents do I need to correct CNIC information via NADRA?
You need current CNIC, birth certificate or Form B, educational certificates, and for name changes, marriage certificate or affidavit.
Q5: Can I correct my father’s name on my CNIC?
Yes, bring your father’s CNIC showing correct spelling and your birth certificate with matching information when you correct CNIC information via NADRA.
Q6: What if my correction application gets rejected?
NADRA will inform you of the reason, fix that specific issue, gather proper documents, and reapply with the required correction fee.
Q7: Do I need an affidavit for spelling corrections?
No, minor spelling corrections don’t require affidavits in 2026, just supporting documents showing correct spelling are sufficient.
Q8: Can I track my CNIC correction application status?
Yes, use the tracking ID on nadra.gov.pk, send SMS to 8400 with tracking number, or call 111-786-100 helpline.
Q9: How do overseas Pakistanis correct CNIC information via NADRA?
Visit Pakistan Embassy or Consulate NADRA facilitation desk with required documents, expect 45-60 days processing time.
Q10: What happens to my old CNIC after correction?
NADRA takes back your old CNIC when you collect the corrected one, the old CNIC gets deactivated in their system.
