Where civil events are registered
Births, deaths, marriages and divorces are registered with your union council (or equivalent local office — municipal committee or cantonment board). The local office enters the event into NADRA’s civil registration system and issues a computerised certificate. In Punjab, local government information is at lgcd.punjab.gov.pk, and some certificates can be obtained through Punjab Khidmat Markaz.
Birth certificate
- Hospital birth slip (if available)
- Parents’ CNICs
- Application form from the union council
Register the birth early; late registration may need extra documents. The birth certificate is then used for the child’s B-Form (CRC) with NADRA.
Death certificate
- Deceased person’s CNIC
- Applicant’s CNIC
- Hospital or graveyard slip, as required
A death certificate is needed for inheritance (succession), bank accounts and cancelling the deceased’s CNIC.
Marriage certificate
The nikah is registered by the nikah registrar on the official nikahnama, which is then registered at the union council for a NADRA-computerised marriage certificate. Bring the nikahnama and the spouses’ and witnesses’ CNICs as required.
Divorce certificate
Under the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, notice of talaq is given to the chairman of the union council, which forms an arbitration council; a divorce is effective after the statutory period from the notice. The union council then issues a divorce certificate. Because this has legal consequences, consult a family lawyer.
Domicile certificate
Domicile shows which district you belong to, and is used for jobs, admissions and quotas. Apply to the district administration (Deputy Commissioner’s office) of your permanent residence — in Punjab often through Punjab Khidmat Markaz — with your CNIC, proof of residence and the documents your district lists.