How to get a newborn birth certificate in the UAE
- Application Process for Emiratis
- Application Process for Expats
- Online Birth Certificate
- Passport Application Process
- FAQs
Do you have a baby on the way? Getting formal documentation for your new arrival can seem a bit daunting. Here at MyBayut we know that feeling, which is why we put together this guide on everything new parents need to know about applying for a passport, Emirates ID, visa and a newborn birth certificate in the UAE.
GETTING A NEWBORN BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN THE UAE – EMIRATI APPLICANTS
UAE nationals can use the integrated digital service, Mabrouk Ma Yak, to apply for a birth certificate for their baby. This service allows newborn Emiratis to get:
- A birth certificate
- An Emirates ID card
- Thiqa (insurance)
- His or her name is added to the Family Book
- Passport
Mabrouk Ma Yak users also get their newborn’s name added to the country’s population register.
MABROUK MA YAK REQUIREMENTS FOR NEWBORN BIRTH CERTIFICATE
The father must apply for the service within three months of the baby’s birth. Other conditions are:
- The father must be a UAE National with a verified UAE Pass account
- His wife must be added to the family book
Only babies born at hospitals authorised to provide the Mabrouk Ma Yak service are eligible for the process. Parents must include these documents when opening a file at the eligible hospital:
- Family book
- Valid Emirates ID of both parents
- Marriage certificate (needed only if the child is a woman’s firstborn)
HOW TO USE THE MABROUK MA YAK SERVICE?
If parents want to use Mabrouk Ma Yak to get identification documents for newborn Emiratis, they must first notify the hospital. Next, they need to follow these steps:
- Step One: Receive an SMS with a link to complete the process online.
- Step Two: Access the Mabrouk Ma Yak online portal, upload the baby’s picture and fill in the name.
- Step Three: Pay the online fee.
After completing the final step, the parent will receive an SMS prompting them to visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA). The original family book will also need to be produced during the visit, after which parents will receive the necessary identification documents for their newborn child.
Please note that all UAE government hospitals issue birth certificates. The process, however, is different for children born at private hospitals.
A private establishment will issue a signed and stamped “notification of birth” in Arabic. For private births, parents can only apply for birth certificates via the relevant health authorities in their emirate or the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR A UAE PASSPORT FOR THE NEWBORNS
Emirati parents can submit a newborn baby passport application in the UAE via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs/ Citizen Departments. They can also apply online through the Ministry of Interior website.
APPLYING FOR VISA AND NEWBORN BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN THE UAE – FOR EXPATRIATES
Expat residents must register a child’s birth in the UAE within 30 days. If parents belong to different nationalities, the child will adopt the father’s nationality.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
To process the birth certificate for their newborn, parents are required to submit the following documents at the hospital of birth or their emirate’s health authority:
- Hospital discharge summary
- Hospital birth notification
- Attested marriage certificate (translated into Arabic if it is in another language)
- Original passport and residence visa of wife and husband
- Copies of both passports and residence visas
Furthermore, all expats must have birth certificates attested by these government establishments:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
- Ministry of Health and Prevention
Please note that birth certificates stamped by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or the Department of Health Abu Dhabi are equal to the Ministry of Health and Prevention seal. Here are some of the important details to remember when applying for a newborn birth certificate in the UAE:
- International residents in the UAE must get all formal documents in order within 120 days of the child’s birth. These include the baby’s Emirates ID, passport, birth certificate and visa.
- A penalty of AED 100 will apply per day after the ‘120-days’ time limit expires. The child will also not be allowed to exit the country.
- Expatriate residents can apply for passports for newborn babies through their relevant foreign embassies in the UAE after the birth certificates have been attested.
- It is advisable to book an appointment at your country’s embassy. Also, ensure that you have all the necessary documents and requirements in place.
HOW TO APPLY FOR EMIRATES ID AND RESIDENCE VISA FOR A NEWBORN IN THE UAE
Expat parents can apply for a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID for their child at a typing centre. Online applications are accepted via the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (FIAC). Parents residing in Dubai need to visit their closest Amer centre.
Prerequisites to apply for an Emirates ID and residence visa at an Amer Centre in Dubai include:
- Copy of spouse’s and sponsor’s passport with valid and stamped residence visa
- Attested birth certificate of the baby (original)
- A copy of your registered tenancy contract
- A passport-sized photo of the newborn child (white background with the child’s eyes open)
- Emirates ID of the sponsor (original)
It takes about two days for Amer services to process and deliver an e-visa. The visa will be delivered to your registered email address.
You can have an Emirates ID typed for your newborn at an Amer Centre or a FIAC centre. Please have these documents handy during the application process:
- Your original Emirates ID
- Emirates ID application of the newborn
- Family photograph with all members
The next step is to get your child’s residency visa stamped on the passport. This will also require a visit to an Amer or typing centre with these documents:
- Original passport of the newborn baby
- Health insurance documents
- Original Emirates ID of the sponsor
For a more comprehensive perspective, check out how you can register a child’s birth in Dubai. After the visa is stamped, it will be sent back to the applicant via the same courier service.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ONLINE BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN THE UAE?
Emiratis as well as expats can now apply for their newborn birth certificate in the UAE online. MOHAP has launched a digital service where parents can get birth certificates within one working day. You will be charged a nominal fee of AED 60. However, you might be charged an additional fee depending on the payment method you’re using.
ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the online birth certificate via MOHAP website.
APPLICATION VIA WEBSITE
- Send an SMS with the notification number and the location of the service provider
- Sign in to e-services, enter username and password and log in to the e-system
- Submit the application via the e-system and pay the fees of AED 60 online
- You can choose to get the certificate delivered or visit a public health centre in the emirate for verification and matching of original documents
- In case you’re using WhatsApp, the certificate will be issued electronically
APPLICATION VIA MABROUK MA YAK PACKAGE
- Submit the application in the e-system
- Pay the certificate insurance fee
- The application will be sent to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship
APPLICATION VIA HOSPITAL OR PUBLIC HEALTH CENTRE
- Submit the application through the e-system and pay the fee
- The documents and original copies will be verified and the birth certificate will be issued
- Receipt of the certificate can be received by a parent or a representative
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR EMIRATIS
When you’re applying online for your newborn’s birth certificate, you will need the following documents:
- Both original and copy of parent’s marriage certificate (in case the marriage took place outside UAE, you will have to get your marriage certificate attested by the UAE embassy abroad and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Original and copy of father’s and mother’s passports and IDs
- Original and copy of the family book (if the mother is not UAE national, her passport with the residency page is required)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR EXPATS
The expats applying for birth certificate online need to submit the following documents:
- Birth notification
- Marriage documents or documents of the declaration form the parents attributing the newborn to them certified by the embassy of their country
- ID cards or passports of the mother and father
HOW TO GET A PASSPORT FOR A NEWBORN IN THE UAE
You can apply for the baby’s passport after the birth certificate is ready. UAE nationals can submit their children’s passport applications through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs/Citizenship Departments. Online applications are accepted through the Ministry of Interior’s website.
Please note that all expatriate residents need to visit their respective embassy in the UAE to get a passport for their child.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do you get a birth certificate for a newborn if the child is born outside the UAE?
UAE nationals can visit the nearest UAE Embassy with the birth certificate issued by the foreign country. Parents are encouraged to apply for the UAE birth certificate within 30 days of the child’s birth.
If expat residents have a baby in their home country or a foreign destination, they must get a birth certificate and apply for their newborn’s passport at the relevant local authority or their home country’s embassy. The passport can then be used to apply for a UAE visa at the relevant UAE Embassy abroad. Please remember that newborn expatriates can only enter the UAE legally if they have a visa.
How can I get a newborn visa in the UAE for my baby?
You must apply for a residency visa for your baby along with the Emirates ID within 120 days of birth.
Where can I attest a newborn’s birth certificate in Abu Dhabi?
All expats in Abu Dhabi can get their child’s birth certificates attested by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
How can I get a newborn’s birth certificate attested in Dubai?
The attestation process requires certain documents and verification. Here’s a quick overview of getting a birth certificate attested in Dubai.
Can I apply for the newborn birth certificate in the UAE online?
Yes, you can apply for a newborn birth certificate online via MOHAP website or MOHAP SmartApp.
That is all we have for you on applying for an Emirates ID, visa, newborn passport and birth certificate in the UAE. Want to sponsor a family member? Learn more about the regulations and Dubai family visa price.
