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ZIYNU

Guide

How to Put Your CNIC Front and Back Into One PDF

Updated 3 min readBy the ZIYNU team

The short answer

Photograph both sides of the card flat and in good light, then use JPG to PDF to put the two photos into one PDF — front first, then back. If the form has a size limit, choose “Under 200 KB” (or the limit you need). If you already have two separate PDFs, use Merge PDF instead. Everything runs in your browser, so your ID never leaves your device.

Before you start: take good photos

  1. Place the card on a dark, plain surface. The contrast makes the edges clear and the card easy to read.
  2. Hold the phone directly above the card, not at an angle, and fill most of the frame with it.
  3. Avoid glare. Tilt the card slightly away from lamps or windows until the shiny reflection disappears from the text and photo.
  4. Check that every line is sharp, including the small print. Retake any photo where you have to squint.

Method 1: from two photos

  1. Open JPG to PDF and choose both photos.
  2. Make sure the front is first. Use the arrows under each image to change the order.
  3. Choose the page size. A4 with a normal margin is the safest choice for printing; “Fit image” makes each page the shape of the photo.
  4. If the form has a limit, set the file size to “Under 200 KB” or the size you need.
  5. Convert, then open the PDF and zoom in to check it's readable before uploading.

The result is a two-page PDF: front on page 1, back on page 2. Some forms ask for both sides on a single page — ZIYNU can't place two images on one page yet, so if your form insists on that, check whether it also accepts a two-page PDF.

Method 2: from two PDFs

If you already have each side as a separate PDF — for example from a scanner — open Merge PDF, choose both files, put the front first and merge. If the merged file is too big, run it through Compress PDF with the exact size your form needs.

If you need to print it

Some offices ask for a printed copy as well. Open the PDF, choose Print, and set the scale to “Actual size” or 100% rather than “Fit to page” if you want the card printed close to its real size; “Fit to page” enlarges it to fill the sheet. Print on plain white A4 paper and check that the ID number and photo are sharp before you hand it in.

Protect your identity documents

  • Use tools that don't upload your files. ZIYNU processes everything in your browser; most websites upload your documents to their servers.
  • Delete the photos from your phone's gallery (and its “recently deleted” folder) once you've submitted the application, if you don't need them.
  • Never send ID copies to people who contact you unexpectedly, even if they claim to be from a bank, a company or a government office.
  • If a form allows it, writing the purpose and date across the copy — for example “For job application only” — makes it less useful to anyone who misuses it. Make sure it doesn't cover any details the form needs to read.

Check the PDF before you upload it

  • Page order: front on page 1, back on page 2.
  • Readability: zoom in on the ID number, dates and address. If any digit is unclear, retake that photo.
  • Orientation: both pages should open the right way up. If one is sideways, fix it with Rotate PDF.
  • Size: the file should be under the limit shown next to the upload button.
  • File name: something simple such as cnic.pdf. Some portals reject names with symbols like # or &.

Common questions

Can I upload photos instead of a PDF?

If the form accepts JPG images, yes. Use Compress Image to bring each photo under the limit. When a form has a single upload box and asks for a PDF, combine the two sides as described above.

How big will the PDF be?

Two well-lit phone photos placed on A4 pages are often 1–3MB at original quality. Choosing “Under 200 KB” or “Under 500 KB” resizes and compresses the photos to fit, which is usually still clearly readable for an ID card.

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