In a major step toward citizen-friendly governance, the Punjab Department of Local Government has introduced sweeping reforms to simplify the registration of births and deaths across the province. The new regulations aim to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and make family record documentation more accessible for both residents and overseas Pakistanis.
One of the most significant changes is that birth registration for children up to seven years of age will now be free—an offer valid until May 31, 2026. Additionally, all birth and death registrations will be completely free within the first year of occurrence. The requirement for a court decree in the case of late registrations has been abolished, streamlining the process further.
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Responsibility for handling delayed registrations has been moved up the chain to senior officers, such as assistant and deputy directors, replacing the previous role of junior staff. This move, along with the formal notification published in the Punjab Gazette, is expected to reduce delays and improve service delivery.
The revised fee structure includes Rs200 for birth registrations after seven years, Rs1,000 for overseas Pakistanis, and Rs2,000 for foreigners. Death registrations beyond seven years will also carry a Rs1,000 fee. However, the cost for obtaining computerized copies has been waived, and corrections will cost Rs500, with duplicate copies priced at Rs200.
To further enhance convenience, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched a mobile app in Punjab for online registration of life events. Biometric verification facilities have also been extended to all union councils, ensuring that citizens can complete registration securely and efficiently from their homes.