Guides

Nikah Nama attestation from MOFA Pakistan

Many embassies and employers abroad want a Pakistani Nikah Nama "attested": stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) after the issuing authority has verified it, and sometimes also by the destination country's embassy. Here is what MOFA lists, how apostille fits in, and where the English translation comes in. NikahDraft is unofficial and has no link to MOFA or NADRA; check the official pages linked below before you go.

What MOFA asks for

MOFA's consular page for attestation of documents lists, for a Nikah Nama (mofa.gov.pk):

• the original Nikah Nama, signed by the Nikah Registrar,
• the NADRA marriage registration certificate (MRC), and
• the bride's CNIC showing the husband's name; a NADRA Family Registration Certificate can be used instead.

MOFA's standard operating procedure also covers Nikah Namas from Azad Kashmir, which need the Tehsil Mufti's signature and stamp, and marriages to foreign nationals, which need a copy of the foreign spouse's passport and Pakistani visa (MOFA SOP, PDF). Fees are set in MOFA's fee schedule; check the current amount on the MOFA site before you pay anyone.

Attestation or apostille?

MOFA also issues apostilles, applied for online at apostille.mofa.gov.pk. An apostille is accepted by countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention; other countries still ask for attestation by MOFA and then by their own embassy. Ask the office that will receive your documents which one it wants.

UAE and Saudi family visas

The suggestions people search include "nikah nama attestation from UAE embassy in Pakistan" and "from Saudi embassy". For Gulf family visas the usual chain is: registration at the union council, NADRA MRC, MOFA, then the destination country's embassy or its own foreign ministry after arrival. Translation into Arabic is often done in the destination country by a legal translator. Requirements change, so confirm with the embassy or your employer's PRO.

Where the English translation fits

Attestation stamps the Urdu original; it does not translate it. For UK, US and Canadian applications you still need a full English translation of the Nikah Nama with the translator's statement. A typed draft made before your MOFA visit lets you check the names on the Nikah Nama, the MRC and the CNIC against each other while you have all three in hand.