Guides

What is a Nikah Nama?

A Nikah Nama (نکاح نامہ) is the written Muslim marriage contract used in Pakistan. "Nikah" is the marriage contract and "nama" means a written document, so the phrase means "marriage document". In Pakistan it is a printed form with 25 numbered columns, filled in by hand by the Nikah Registrar at the ceremony and signed by the couple, their vakils and witnesses.

What it records

• Where and when the marriage took place, and the names, ages and addresses of the bride and groom and their fathers (columns 1 to 6 and 12).
• The vakils (agents) and witnesses (columns 7 to 11).
• The dower, haq mehr: how much, how much is prompt and how much deferred, and anything given in gold or property (columns 13 to 16).
• Special conditions, delegated right of divorce and limits on the husband's right of divorce (columns 17 to 20).
• Whether the groom has an existing wife and the permission for another marriage (columns 21 and 22).
• Who solemnized the marriage, the registration date and the fee (columns 23 to 25).

Every column in English: the 25 columns explained.

Registration and the NADRA certificate

The Nikah Registrar registers the Nikah Nama with the union council under the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961. After registration the union council can issue NADRA's computerised marriage registration certificate (MRC), which is in English. The two are different papers: difference between the Nikah Nama and the marriage certificate.

When you need it in English

Spouse and family visas for the US, UK, Canada and many other countries ask for the Nikah Nama with a full English translation, and often for the NADRA certificate too. Guides: US, UK, Canada, MOFA attestation.