# Biodata Format: How to Make a Biodata for Jobs and Marriage

URL: https://byshahid.com/blog/biodata-format-for-jobs-and-marriage/
App: Resume Builder – CV Maker AI (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/resume-builder-cv-maker-ai/id6801795283)
Author: Muhammad Shahid
Updated: 2026-10-29

> 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.

- **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](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/resume-builder-cv-maker-ai/id6801795283).

## 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](https://byshahid.com/blog/resume-vs-cv-difference/).

_Screenshot: Resume Builder keeps biodata, résumés, CVs and letters together in one place._

## 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.

_Screenshot: Choose a template, fill in your details and check the live preview before exporting the PDF._

More guides you may find useful:

  - [How Long Should a Resume Be? One Page vs Two Pages (and When a CV Is Longer)](https://byshahid.com/blog/how-long-should-a-resume-be/)

  - [How to Write a Resume With No Experience (Students, Graduates and Career Changers)](https://byshahid.com/blog/resume-with-no-experience/)

  - [How to Write a Resignation Letter (With a Template You Can Copy)](https://byshahid.com/blog/how-to-write-a-resignation-letter/)

## 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](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/resume-builder-cv-maker-ai/id6801795283) and have a clean PDF ready to send in minutes.

**Resume Builder – CV Maker AI** is free on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/resume-builder-cv-maker-ai/id6801795283

## FAQ

### 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.

## Sources

- [Harvard FAS Career Services: Create a strong resume](https://careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/resources/create-a-strong-resume/)