A visa file, a property transfer or an inheritance case in Pakistan, and suddenly someone asks for an FRC. The Family Registration Certificate is NADRA’s official record of who is in your family, and it is often the document that holds a case up, because a missing child, an old marriage or an unregistered parent shows up on it exactly as NADRA has it. New American Hope gets FRCs for families across the USA and sorts out the records behind them, in English, Urdu or Punjabi. Here is what you need to know.
What is a Family Registration Certificate?
The FRC is a certificate issued by NADRA that verifies the family composition of a registered person: parents, siblings, spouse and children, as recorded in NADRA’s database. It is used for immigration and visa processing, and for legal and administrative matters in Pakistan such as property, succession and inheritance.
| Issued by | NADRA |
|---|---|
| What it proves | Your family composition as recorded by NADRA |
| Common uses | Visa and immigration files, property, succession and inheritance |
| Fee | PKR 1,000 for one family type, PKR 2,000 for both |
| Processing | Executive, 1 day once accepted |
The four types of FRC
| Type | Shows | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| By birth | Your parents and siblings | Inheritance, succession, parents’ immigration cases |
| By marriage | Your spouse and children | Spouse and child visa files, family property |
| By adoption | Guardian and adopted family members | Guardianship and adoption matters |
| All | Both families together | Cases that need the full picture |
Choosing the type depends on what the receiving office wants to see. Ordering the wrong one is a common, avoidable delay; we confirm the type before applying.
Why an FRC comes out wrong
An FRC only shows what NADRA has on record. To be included, every family member has to be registered with NADRA with a valid 13-digit number. That is why so many families in the United States are surprised by their first FRC:
- Children born in the USA are missing because they were never registered with NADRA
- A spouse does not appear because the marriage was never updated on NADRA’s record
- A divorced spouse still appears because the change was not recorded
- A parent’s details do not match the documents in your case file
Fixing these means correcting the underlying records first, such as registering a child or updating marital status, and then issuing the FRC. That is the part we handle for you.
Doing it yourself vs with New American Hope
| On your own | With New American Hope | |
|---|---|---|
| Which FRC type | Guesswork, and the wrong one gets sent back | Confirmed for the office that asked for it |
| Missing family members | Found only after the certificate is issued | Checked before applying, and fixed first |
| Children born in the USA | Not on record, so not on the FRC | Registered with NADRA as part of the same job |
| Linked documents | NICOP, CRC and FRC handled separately | One team for the whole family file |
| Language | English-only forms | English, Urdu or Punjabi |
If the FRC is part of a bigger family file, it usually sits next to a NICOP; our NICOP guide explains that card, and for property matters see our guide to a Pakistani Power of Attorney from the USA.
The verdict
The FRC is cheap and quick to issue. What takes time is everything behind it: a child who was never registered, a marriage that was never updated, a parent’s record that does not match. Sort the records first and the certificate follows in a day.
Frequently asked questions
What is an FRC from NADRA?
A Family Registration Certificate is a NADRA certificate that verifies the family composition of a registered person, such as parents, siblings, spouse and children. It is used for immigration and visa processing and for legal and administrative purposes in Pakistan.
What are the types of FRC?
NADRA issues the FRC by birth (parents and siblings), by marriage (spouse and children), by adoption (guardian and adopted family members), and all (both families together).
How much does an FRC cost?
NADRA lists the FRC at PKR 1,000 for one family type and PKR 2,000 for both, processed as executive in one day once the application is accepted.
Why is my child missing from my FRC?
An FRC only shows family members registered with NADRA. Children born in the USA often have never been registered, so they need a CRC or NICOP first before they appear on the certificate.
Can I get an FRC while living in the USA?
Yes. New American Hope gets FRCs for families across the USA, checks that every family member is on NADRA's record first, and fixes missing records as part of the same job.
Can New American Hope help me with my NICOP?
Yes. New American Hope LLC has handled Pakistani paperwork for families across the USA since 2015, from home, by phone and WhatsApp. We complete NICOP applications and renewals from the USA, check documents and photos against NADRA requirements, and track the card until it is delivered. The first consultation is free, in English, Urdu or Punjabi: call or WhatsApp +1 (530) 761-2830.
Disclaimer: New American Hope LLC is a private immigration consultancy, not a law firm, government agency, embassy, or consulate. We do not provide legal advice. Information in this article is for general guidance only and may change; always confirm current requirements, fees, and processing times with NADRA (nadra.gov.pk) or your nearest Pakistan embassy or consulate. Final decisions on any application are made solely by the relevant government authorities.
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