NADRA Makes Proof of Life Certificate Free for Pensioners: How to Get It

NADRA has made the Proof of Life Certificate free for pensioners and expanded the ways they can complete the process across Pakistan.

Eligible pensioners can now use the PakID mobile app from home. They can also get the certificate through NADRA Registration Centres, Union Councils and more than 5,000 e-Sahulat franchises.

The new system also includes a National Pensioners Register, which allows pension controllers and authorised banks to verify a pensioner's identity and life status through a digital system.

What is a Proof of Life Certificate?

A Proof of Life Certificate (PoLC) is an official document used to confirm that a pensioner is alive.

Pension systems may require this verification so pension payments can continue to the person entitled to receive them. In the past, pensioners would have to visit a bank or government office to complete the process.

NADRA's new system provides several options, including digital and assisted services, to make life verification easier.

Is the NADRA Proof of Life Certificate free?

Yes. The Proof of Life Certificate is free for pensioners.

The service is available without a fee through the expanded service channels, including:

• PakID mobile app

• NADRA Registration Centres

• Union Councils

• More than 5,000 e-Sahulat franchises

This removes a direct cost from the process and gives pensioners more options for completing their verification.

How can pensioners get a Proof of Life Certificate?

Pensioners can use several channels depending on their needs and access to digital services.

1. Through the PakID mobile app

The PakID app allows eligible pensioners to complete the process digitally from home.

NADRA says the app supports biometric verification for the Proof of Life Certificate. This can be particularly useful for pensioners who find travelling to a service centre difficult.

2. Through an immediate family member

An eligible pensioner does not necessarily have to complete the process through their own PakID account.

According to NADRA, an immediate family member can obtain the certificate on the pensioner's behalf through their own PakID account, subject to the required identity verification process.

This option can help elderly pensioners who need assistance with digital services.

3. At e-Sahulat franchises

Pensioners who prefer in-person assistance can visit one of more than 5,000 e-Sahulat franchises across Pakistan.

The Proof of Life Certificate is available free of charge through these service points.

4. At NADRA Registration Centres

The service is also available at more than 988 NADRA Registration Centres. Pensioners receive preferential service at these centres, so they do not have to wait in the regular queue.

5. At Union Councils

More than 500 Union Councils are also providing the service. This gives pensioners another local option if they prefer not to use the PakID app or need face-to-face assistance.

6. Through mobile and doorstep services

NADRA has also included services for pensioners who have difficulty reaching a service point.

These include:

• Mobile Registration Vans

• Biker Services

• ManPack Registration Services

These options are intended to improve access for people with limited mobility or limited access to NADRA facilities.

Who can use the new pensioner verification system?

The first phase of the National Pensioners Register covers pensioners administered by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and Military Accountant General (MAG).

The register provides an authenticated digital reference for identity and life-status verification.

NADRA has said the system is planned to expand in a later phase to pensioners from other federal and provincial government organisations, public-sector bodies and private institutions, subject to the required agreements and arrangements.

This means the current system is the first phase of a wider pension verification system.

What is the National Pensioners Register?

The National Pensioners Register is a digital system created by NADRA to help verify pensioners' identity and life status.

Instead of depending mainly on repeated paper-based checks, the register gives pension controllers an authenticated digital source of information.

It can also help connect updates in NADRA's records with pension authorities.

For example, NADRA says pension controllers will receive daily digital information when the death of a primary or secondary pensioner is reported through the Death Notification Tool or recorded through the Civil Registration Management System (CRMS).

Can banks verify a pensioner's life status directly?

Yes.

NADRA has introduced a verification service for authorised banks. Banks can check a pensioner's Proof of Life status through the National Pensioners Register.

This gives banks and pension authorities a direct digital channel for checking life status.

For pensioners, the aim is to reduce repeated requests for physical documents and make the verification process easier to manage.

However, the relevant pension authority will still make decisions about pension payments under the applicable rules.

What happens if a family pensioner's details change?

The system is not limited to checking whether a pensioner is alive.

NADRA says changes that may affect the entitlement of secondary or family pensioners can also be communicated to pension controllers when those changes appear in NADRA's records.

These may include details such as:

• Age

• Marital status

NADRA does not decide whether a pension should continue, change or stop. That decision remains with the relevant pension authority under the applicable rules.

Why is the change important for pensioners?

For many older people, travelling to a government office can be difficult.

They may need help from family members, while long queues and travel can make the process tiring.

The new NADRA Proof of Life Certificate system gives pensioners more ways to complete their verification.

Those who are comfortable using a smartphone can use PakID. Those who prefer in-person help can visit an e-Sahulat franchise, Union Council or NADRA Registration Centre. Pensioners who have difficulty travelling can also use available mobile, biker or ManPack services.

Most importantly, the certificate is now free for pensioners.

What does this mean for pension payments?

The new system is designed to make pension verification more reliable and reduce unnecessary paperwork.

Authorised banks can verify a pensioner's life status through the National Pensioners Register, while pension controllers can receive relevant updates recorded in NADRA's systems.

This does not mean that pension decisions are made automatically.

Pension authorities will continue to decide whether pension payments should continue, change or stop according to the applicable rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the NADRA Proof of Life Certificate free for pensioners?

Yes. NADRA has made the Proof of Life Certificate free for pensioners through its expanded service channels.

Can I get the Proof of Life Certificate online?

Yes. Eligible pensioners can obtain the certificate digitally through the PakID mobile app, subject to the required identity verification process.

Can a family member apply for the certificate?

Yes. An immediate family member can obtain the certificate on behalf of an eligible pensioner through their own PakID account, subject to the required verification process.

Where can pensioners get the Proof of Life Certificate?

The service is available through the PakID app, more than 5,000 e-Sahulat franchises, more than 988 NADRA Registration Centres and more than 500 Union Councils.

Mobile Registration Vans, Biker Services and ManPack services are also available for people who have difficulty reaching a service point.

Do pensioners still need to visit a bank for life verification?

The new system is designed to reduce the need for repeated physical verification. Authorised banks can verify a pensioner's Proof of Life status through the National Pensioners Register.

What is the National Pensioners Register?

It is a NADRA system that provides an authenticated digital reference for pensioner identity and life-status verification.

The first phase covers pensioners administered by CGA and MAG.

Will the system cover more pensioners in the future?

NADRA says the register is planned to expand to pensioners from other federal and provincial government organisations, public-sector bodies and private institutions after the required agreements and arrangements are completed.

A simpler way to complete pension verification

NADRA's decision to make the Proof of Life Certificate free for pensioners gives them more ways to complete an important part of pension verification.

Pensioners can use the PakID app from home, visit an assisted service point or use available mobile and doorstep services if travelling is difficult.

The new National Pensioners Register also moves pension verification towards a more connected digital system, giving authorised pension controllers and banks access to verified life-status information.

For pensioners and their families, the main benefit is simple: proving life status can now be easier, more accessible and free of charge.