How to remove Stepchildren from NADRA ? I am divorced, had 2 stepchildren and have 1 son of my own with the mother. The mother did not register the stepchildren under their real father’s name whilst he was alive, but instead, registered them under my name when I was forced to marry her. One stepchild is 19 and now has his CNIC card and the other child is 17. My questions are, how would I get them removed from my name in NADRA as my children? How much would this cost? How long would it take? Can this all be done in my absence as I live abroad? Which paperwork would be needed for this?

Answer:

Based on the information you have provided, your case appears to be legally difficult. According to your own statement, the children have remained registered under your name for approximately 19 years, and this status has continued without legal challenge. Seeking their removal after such a long period is likely to face serious legal obstacles.

Ordinarily, the Court may decline such a request because you have, for many years, accepted this legal status, and altering the identity and parentage of adult or near-adult children after nearly two decades may be considered contrary to legal certainty and the dignity of the individuals concerned.

However, if you can prove that:

• the children’s registration under your name was carried out without your knowledge or consent;
• you were absent or unaware of the registration, and only recently discovered it;
• the children’s biological father was alive at the relevant time and there is documentary evidence of his paternity (such as a marriage certificate, birth records, or other admissible evidence);

then you may have grounds to file a declaratory suit before the competent Civil Court seeking correction of the record. If the Court is satisfied with the evidence, it may pass a decree directing the relevant authorities to amend the registration.

Whether the case can be conducted through a Special Power of Attorney while you remain abroad depends on the nature of the evidence and whether your personal appearance is required by the Court. In many cases, most proceedings can be conducted through an attorney.

To assess the merits of your case, we would first need to review:

• Your marriage and divorce documents.
• The children’s birth certificates and NADRA records.
• Any documents relating to their biological father.
• Any evidence showing that the registration was made without your knowledge or consent.

After reviewing these documents, we can advise you on the chances of success, the estimated legal fee, and the expected timeline.