No photo, biometrics on CRCs for kids under 3: Nadra

ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has implemented major changes to its Child Registration Certificate (CRC), also known as Form-B, Nadra spokesperson and Director of Public Engagement Syed Shabahat Ali said on Monday.

The revised structure aims to strengthen child identity verification and block loopholes previously exploited in human smuggling, he said while talking to a private news channel.

He said the previous system lacked biometric or photographic identification for individuals under the age of 18.This absence of post-birth identification created vulnerabilities in the registration system and made it susceptible to misuse by organised networks involved in illegal migration and trafficking, he added.

He said for children under the age of three, Nadra will issue a CRC without a photograph or biometric data, and this certificate will automatically expire when the child turns three.

From the age of three to ten years, a photograph is mandatory, and in Nadra centres with advanced facilities, an iris scan may also be recorded. He said once the child reaches ten years of age, a full biometric profile, including fingerprints, photograph, and iris scan (where available), is compulsory.

The certificate issued at this stage remains valid until the child turns 18.Shabahat said these changes were made to preserve the integrity of family structures in the national database.