Getting your passport paperwork right before visiting the passport office can save you from an unnecessary second trip. In Pakistan, the documents required for passport depend mainly on your age, whether you have held a passport before, and special circumstances such as dual nationality, government employment, or a lost passport.
For most Pakistani adults aged 18 or above, the basic requirements are proof of passport fee payment, an original valid CNIC or NICOP with a photocopy, and the previous passport if one was issued. Government employees, dual nationals, minors, and people replacing lost passports need additional supporting documents.
documents required for passport at a glance
The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P), Ministry of Interior, is Pakistan’s passport-issuing authority. Its current requirements separate applicants primarily into adults aged 18 and above and minors under 18.
| Applicant or situation | Main documents |
|---|---|
| Adult, 18+ | Fee payment proof + valid CNIC/NICOP |
| Previous passport holder | Previous passport + photocopy |
| Minor aged 10–17 | Updated CRC with fingerprints/photo or Juvenile Card |
| Minor below 10 | CRC/Form B or FRC |
| Government employee | Departmental NOC |
| Dual national | Foreign passport + photocopy |
| Lost passport | Police report mentioning previous passport number |
| Divorced/separated parents | Court custody documents and applicable parental consent |
| Court-appointed guardian | Guardianship certificate |
This is a practical overview rather than a substitute for checking your exact application category. DGI&P can request additional documentation where there are questions concerning nationality or personal particulars.
Documents required for a new passport for adults
For an ordinary Pakistani passport, applicants who are 18 years of age or older should prepare the following documents.
1. Original valid CNIC or NICOP
Bring your original, valid:
- Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), or
- National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)
You also need a photocopy.
The identity document should be valid when you apply. Your CNIC/NICOP is one of the key records used to establish your identity and Pakistani citizenship details during passport processing.
2. Proof of passport fee payment
You need evidence that the prescribed passport fee has been paid.
DGI&P currently accepts applicable proof such as:
- Original bank-paid fee challan/receipt, or
- e-Payment confirmation details
- Receipt, SMS, or email containing the PSID number, as applicable
Keep the payment confirmation accessible when visiting the passport office.
3. Previous passport, if applicable
If you have previously been issued a Pakistani passport, bring:
- Original previous passport
- Photocopy of the previous passport
This applies when an old passport already exists, including many renewal or reissue situations.
Quick Takeaway
A straightforward adult application generally starts with three things: valid CNIC/NICOP, proof of fee payment, and your previous passport if you have one. Extra documents become necessary when your employment, nationality, age, guardianship situation, or previous passport status creates an additional requirement.
documents required for passport for applicants under 18
Passport documentation for children is more detailed because DGI&P must verify both the child’s identity and the authority of the accompanying parent or guardian.
The requirements also differ according to the child’s age.
Children aged 10 years and above
Under DGI&P’s current guidance, minors aged 10 or above need either:
- An original updated Child Registration Certificate (CRC) containing fingerprints and a photograph, or
- A Juvenile Card
A photocopy must also be provided.
This biometric requirement is particularly worth checking before going to the passport office. An older Form B that does not meet the updated requirements may not be sufficient for an applicant in this age group.
Children below 10 years
For children under 10, DGI&P states that applicants may provide either:
- Original Child Registration Certificate (CRC/Form B), or
- Family Registration Certificate (FRC)
Bring one photocopy as well.
Parents’ identification documents
For a minor’s application, the original valid CNICs or passports of both parents, together with photocopies, are required under the general DGI&P requirements.
The child must be accompanied by either a parent or a legal guardian appointed by a court.
Fee payment
As with adult applications, proof of payment of the prescribed passport fee is required for minors.
That can include the applicable bank-paid fee receipt or electronic payment confirmation containing the relevant payment details or PSID number.
Does the child need to visit the passport office?
Yes. A minor seeking a passport must be accompanied by either a parent or a court-appointed legal guardian under the applicable requirements.
This matters because a passport application is not simply a paperwork submission. Identity and other application information are verified during processing.
Passport documents when parents are divorced or separated
A common source of confusion is what happens when a child’s parents no longer live together.
If the parents are separated or divorced, DGI&P requires the relevant custody papers granted by a court of law.
When either parent submits the minor’s passport application in such circumstances, explicit permission from the other parent may also be required.
According to the current guidance, this can take the form of:
- The other parent’s physical presence, or
- Consent on duly attested non-judicial stamp paper
The exact circumstances matter, so parents dealing with custody arrangements should prepare the applicable court and consent documents before visiting the passport office.
What if a legal guardian is applying?
A court-appointed guardian should bring the guardianship certificate issued by the court.
The guardian must personally visit the passport office with the minor and carry the guardian’s original CNIC and photocopy.
What if one parent has died?
If either parent is deceased, the minor’s application requires the original death certificate of that parent along with a photocopy.
These requirements help passport authorities establish who legally has authority to apply on behalf of the child.
Documents required for passport renewal
If you already have a Pakistani passport and need another passport after its validity period or as permitted under the applicable renewal rules, your previous passport becomes an important supporting document.
For an adult, prepare:
- Proof of prescribed passport fee payment
- Original valid CNIC or NICOP with photocopy
- Original previous passport with photocopy
- Any special-case documents that apply to you
For example, a government employee may need an NOC, while a dual national needs the applicable foreign passport documentation.
For Pakistani citizens applying through missions abroad, local residence or immigration-status documents may also be required by the relevant mission. Requirements can therefore differ slightly for overseas applications.
Do you need passport-size photographs?
This is an area where applicants sometimes rely on outdated checklists.
At passport processing facilities, the application process includes biometric procedures and a digital photograph. Pakistan mission guidance describing the MRP process includes biometrics, digital photography, data entry and verification as part of processing.
That means you should not automatically assume that traditional printed passport photographs are part of the standard in-person adult checklist simply because an unofficial website says so.
Online applications can be different.
For certain online passport categories, DGI&P specifies an uploaded color photograph with a white background. For example, some online applications require an image measuring 350 × 467 pixels, in JPEG/JPG format and no more than 3 MB.
Always distinguish between an in-person passport-office application and a category processed through the online system.
Documents for government employees
People working for certain public-sector organizations have an additional requirement.
DGI&P states that employees of:
- Government departments
- Semi-government organizations
- Autonomous bodies
must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned department.
This requirement should not be overlooked. Having a valid CNIC and fee receipt does not remove the NOC requirement when your employment category requires one.
Pakistani missions abroad may impose specific validity requirements on an NOC. For example, some mission guidance states that government employees should provide an NOC issued within the preceding 90 days. Applicants overseas should therefore verify the instructions of the particular Pakistani mission handling their application.
Documents required for dual nationals
A Pakistani citizen who also holds another nationality needs additional identification.
DGI&P requires dual nationals to bring their:
- Foreign passport in original
- Photocopy of the foreign passport
These are submitted alongside the normal documents applicable to the passport application.
If applying at a Pakistan Mission abroad, additional proof of legal residence or immigration status may be requested according to local mission procedures.
Do not leave the foreign passport at home simply because you are applying using your Pakistani CNIC or NICOP.
Documents required for a lost passport
Losing a passport changes the documentation required for reissuance.
For an in-person application, DGI&P requires a lost passport police report that mentions the previous passport number.
You should therefore prepare:
- Valid CNIC/NICOP and photocopy
- Proof of prescribed passport fee payment
- Lost passport police report
- Previous passport information or copy, where available
- Other documents applicable to your circumstances
The passport number in the police report is particularly important because DGI&P specifically identifies it as part of the requirement.
For some online reprint-lost categories, DGI&P also requires scanned identity documents, the prescribed lost-passport report, fingerprint documentation and a qualifying digital photograph.
What if you do not remember the old passport number?
If a passport has been lost, try to locate a previous photocopy, scan, visa application, travel record, or other legitimate record containing the passport number before completing the police report.
The official requirement calls for the previous passport number to be mentioned in that report.
What documents are needed for a damaged passport?
A damaged passport is different from a lost passport because you still possess the physical document.
For online Reprint Damaged applications, current DGI&P instructions include:
- Original valid CNIC/NICOP/Smart Card scan
- Original passport data-page scan
- Damaged-page scan
- Other passport pages requested by the online system
The online portal may request specific pages during the application process.
Do not throw away a damaged passport. Keep it because the original document and its identifying information can be required during replacement processing.
Documents for changing passport particulars
Sometimes a passport is being replaced because personal information has changed rather than because it expired.
DGI&P’s online passport system includes a Partial Modification category for certain changes, including marital status and profession.
Marital-status changes
For applicable online marital-status modifications, requirements can include:
- Revised CNIC/NICOP/Smart Card
- Marriage certificate for applicable female applicants
- Husband’s CNIC/NICOP or passport for applicable female applicants
- Fingerprint performa
- Digital color photograph meeting the online specifications
- Applicable foreign residence/immigration documentation for overseas processing
The central point is simple: update the underlying NADRA identity information where required before expecting the passport to reflect the new particulars.
Normal, urgent and fast-track applications: do documents change?
Applicants often wonder whether choosing urgent processing eliminates some of the normal documentation.
For ordinary in-person applications, DGI&P presents its core documentation as pre-requisite documents for urgent/normal passport applications. In other words, faster processing does not mean that identity verification requirements disappear.
You still need the relevant identity documentation, payment evidence and any documents required because of your personal circumstances.
What changes primarily is the processing category and applicable fee—not your obligation to establish your identity and eligibility.
Can you apply from any passport office in Pakistan?
Yes, this is another area where older information can cause unnecessary confusion.
Under the revised provisions of Passport Rule 6, 2021, DGI&P states that a Pakistani citizen may apply for passport services from any passport office regardless of the address recorded on the CNIC, NICOP or CRC.
That means your permanent or current NADRA-recorded address does not restrict you to one particular Regional Passport Office under this rule.
This is useful for people who study, work or temporarily live in a city different from the address appearing on their identity documents.
Do you need address proof for a Pakistani passport?
For a standard adult Pakistani passport application, DGI&P’s current core checklist focuses on the applicant’s valid CNIC/NICOP, fee-payment evidence and other situation-specific documents. It does not list a separate electricity bill, utility bill, rental agreement or bank statement as a universal adult requirement.
This is important because online searches for documents required for passport frequently return Indian passport guidance, where proof-of-address requirements are different.
For Pakistan, follow DGI&P requirements rather than copying a document checklist written for another country’s passport system.
CNIC, NICOP, CRC, Form B and FRC: what is the difference?
Several NADRA-issued documents appear in passport instructions, and knowing which applies to you prevents confusion.
CNIC
The Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) is the standard identity document used by adult Pakistani citizens residing in Pakistan.
For applicants aged 18 and above, an original valid CNIC or NICOP and a photocopy form part of the passport requirements.
NICOP
The National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) serves Pakistani citizens living abroad and can be used as the relevant identity document in passport applications where applicable.
CRC or Form B
The Child Registration Certificate (CRC), commonly known as Form B, records children through NADRA.
For passport purposes, the child’s age now matters. Minors aged 10 and above require the updated CRC containing fingerprints and a photograph or a Juvenile Card, while children below 10 can provide the applicable CRC/Form B or FRC.
FRC
The Family Registration Certificate (FRC) provides family-composition information based on NADRA records. Under current passport guidance, it can serve as one of the specified documents for children below 10.
What happens at the passport office?
Having the correct paperwork is only the first part of passport processing.
The MRP process typically includes stages such as:
- Document submission and token issuance
- Biometric fingerprint capture
- Digital photograph
- Data entry
- Verification of entered information
- Record/database checks
- Approval and passport processing
Pakistan mission guidance describes document submission, biometrics, digital photography, data verification and central record checks as part of the passport workflow.
Check every detail carefully during data entry, particularly your name, father’s or husband’s name where applicable, date of birth, CNIC/NICOP number and other personal particulars.
Correcting a mistake after processing can be considerably more inconvenient than catching it during verification.
Common document mistakes that can delay an application
Many passport-document problems are avoidable.
Bringing an expired identity card
Your CNIC or NICOP should be valid. If it has expired, deal with the NADRA identity-document issue before relying on it for your passport application.
Forgetting photocopies
DGI&P repeatedly specifies original documents along with photocopies. Carry clean, readable copies instead of assuming the office will make them for you.
Leaving the previous passport at home
If a passport has already been issued, bring the original previous passport and its photocopy when required.
Government employees forgetting the NOC
Your employment status can create an additional documentation requirement. Government, semi-government and autonomous-body employees should check their NOC before visiting.
Dual nationals not carrying the foreign passport
Dual nationals need the foreign passport and its photocopy in addition to their Pakistani documentation.
Using an outdated CRC for an older child
For minors aged 10 and above, pay close attention to the updated NADRA requirement for a CRC containing fingerprints and photograph or a Juvenile Card.
Relying entirely on an unofficial checklist
Passport rules and administrative requirements can change. A blog, social-media post or old checklist can be useful for orientation, but the final check should be made against current DGI&P instructions.
Practical passport document checklist before leaving home
For an adult applicant, check that you have:
- Valid original CNIC/NICOP
- CNIC/NICOP photocopy
- Proof of passport fee payment
- Previous passport and photocopy, if previously issued
- Departmental NOC, if applicable
- Foreign passport and photocopy, if you are a dual national
- Police report with previous passport number, if replacing a lost passport
For a minor, check the child’s age first because that determines the NADRA documentation required. Also prepare both parents’ applicable identification documents, fee-payment evidence and any custody, consent, guardianship or death documents relevant to the family’s circumstances.
Keep originals and photocopies organized separately so they can be presented quickly during verification.
Final thoughts on documents required for passport
The documents required for passport in Pakistan are relatively straightforward for a standard adult application: proof of the prescribed fee payment and an original valid CNIC/NICOP with a photocopy form the foundation, with the previous passport required if one has already been issued.
The checklist becomes more detailed for minors, dual nationals, government employees, lost passports and cases involving separated parents or legal guardians.
Most importantly, use the latest DGI&P requirements for your exact application category. Passport documentation is an administrative requirement that can change, and an outdated checklist can turn a simple passport-office visit into a return trip. Checking your identity documents, photocopies, payment confirmation and special-case paperwork before you leave is the easiest way to avoid that problem.
