Resume Builder guide
Biodata Format: How to Make a Biodata for Jobs and Marriage
By Muhammad Shahid Khan · · 5 min read
Quick answer
A biodata is a short document of personal and background details used in South Asia for some jobs, especially government roles, and for marriage proposals. A job biodata covers personal details, education, experience and skills. A marriage biodata covers personal details, education and profession, family background and expectations. Keep either one to one or two pages with a clear photo.
Resume BuilderAI Resume, Cover Letter PDF · Free on the App StoreDownload free →| Used mainly in | Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Job biodata | Personal details, education, experience, skills |
| Marriage biodata | Personal details, education, profession, family, expectations |
| Length | 1 to 2 pages |
| Photo | Usually included |
If you have grown up in Pakistan, India or Bangladesh, you have probably been asked for a "biodata" at some point, perhaps for a government job application, or by family for a marriage proposal. It is a different document from a resume or CV, and the format depends on what it is for.
I build Resume Builder – CV Maker AI, a free iPhone and iPad app for résumés, CVs, cover letters, biodata and resignation letters, and the screenshots here come from it. If you want to follow along on your phone, get Resume Builder on the App Store.
What is a biodata?
"Biodata" is short for biographical data. It is a factual document focused on personal details: name, date of birth, gender, religion, nationality, marital status and similar, alongside education and background. Unlike a resume, it is not mainly a marketing document about your achievements.
What is the difference between biodata, CV and resume?
| Biodata | Resume | CV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Personal and background details | Skills and achievements for one job | Full academic and professional history |
| Length | 1 to 2 pages | 1 to 2 pages | 2 pages or more |
| Personal details | Yes, in detail | Contact details only | Contact details, sometimes more |
| Photo | Usually | Not in UK or US | Depends on the country |
| Typical use | Government jobs, marriage proposals in South Asia | Most private-sector jobs | Academia, research, medicine, UK/EU jobs |
For more on the last two, see resume vs CV: what's the difference.
What should a job biodata include?
- Personal details: full name, father's name (often asked in Pakistan and India), date of birth, gender, nationality, marital status, CNIC or ID number if requested, languages.
- Contact details: address, phone and email.
- Objective: one or two lines about the role you want.
- Education: degree or certificate, institution or board, year and grade or percentage.
- Experience: organisation, designation, dates and main responsibilities.
- Skills: computer skills, technical skills and certifications.
- Declaration: a line confirming the information is true, with date, place and signature, if the employer expects it.
What should a marriage biodata include?
- Personal details: name, date of birth, height, religion, sect or community if relevant to your family, mother tongue, city.
- Education and profession: highest qualification, job title, employer and, if you choose, income.
- Family details: parents' names and occupations, and siblings (married or unmarried).
- About me: a few honest lines about your personality, values and interests.
- Partner expectations: a short, respectful description.
- Contact: usually a parent's or guardian's phone number.
- Photo: a recent, clear photo.
Privacy tip: a marriage biodata is often forwarded through many people. Leave out ID numbers and your full home address, and share only the contact number you are comfortable with.
Sample biodata layout
| Name | Ali Raza |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 14 May 1997 |
| Education | BS Computer Science, University of the Punjab (2019) |
| Profession | Software Engineer, Lahore |
| Languages | Urdu, English, Punjabi |
| Family | Father: retired teacher. Mother: homemaker. 1 brother, 1 sister. |
Can I make a biodata in Urdu or Hindi?
Yes. Many families prefer a biodata in Urdu or Hindi. Resume Builder supports section headings in English, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, French and German, including right-to-left layout for Urdu and Arabic, so you can make the same biodata in more than one language.
How do I make a biodata PDF on my phone?
- Open Resume Builder and create a new biodata.
- Choose a template and add your photo.
- Fill in the sections for a job or marriage biodata.
- Check the live preview.
- Export as PDF and share it on WhatsApp or email, or print it.
More guides you may find useful:
- How Long Should a Resume Be? One Page vs Two Pages (and When a CV Is Longer)
- How to Write a Resume With No Experience (Students, Graduates and Career Changers)
- How to Write a Resignation Letter (With a Template You Can Copy)
How Resume Builder helps
- Unlimited résumés, CVs, cover letters, biodata and resignation letters, free.
- Professional templates with a live preview that matches the exported PDF.
- An ATS check that shows how employer software reads your resume.
- Writing help that works on-device, or with your own AI key.
- Import an old CV from PDF or Word, or scan a printed one with the camera.
- No account: your documents stay on your iPhone unless you share them.
Download Resume Builder free on the App Store and have a clean PDF ready to send in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a biodata?
A short document of personal and background details, such as name, date of birth, education and family, used for some jobs and for marriage proposals, mainly in South Asia.
What is the difference between a biodata and a resume?
A biodata focuses on personal details. A resume focuses on skills and achievements for a specific job and usually leaves out personal details like religion or marital status.
What should a marriage biodata include?
Personal details, education and profession, family details, a short "about me", partner expectations, a contact number and a recent photo.
What should a job biodata include?
Personal details, contact details, an objective, education, experience, skills and sometimes a signed declaration.
Should a biodata have a photo?
Usually yes, especially a marriage biodata. Use a recent, clear photo.
How long should a biodata be?
One to two pages.
Can I make a biodata in Urdu?
Yes. Resume Builder supports Urdu section headings with right-to-left layout, as well as Hindi, Arabic and other languages.
Is biodata used for private-sector jobs?
Less often. Most private-sector employers expect a resume or CV. Biodata is more common for some government roles and for marriage.
Should I include my income in a marriage biodata?
It is your choice. Many families include it, but you can leave it out and discuss it later.
What personal details should I leave out?
For a marriage biodata that may be forwarded widely, leave out ID numbers and your full home address.
Can I make a biodata PDF on my phone?
Yes. Resume Builder lets you make a biodata on your iPhone and export it as a PDF to share or print.
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