Registering your baby's birth in the UAE: a step-by-step guide
The first weeks with a newborn are exhausting, and the last thing you need is confusion about paperwork. In the UAE there are several official steps you need to complete after your baby is born, and there are deadlines attached to each one. Getting them done promptly avoids fines and simplifies everything that follows, from your baby's passport application to their first vaccine appointment. This guide walks you through each step in plain language.
An overview of what needs to happen
For expat families, there are three main things to take care of after the birth:
- Collect the hospital birth notification and register the birth to get a UAE birth certificate.
- Apply for your baby's UAE residency visa.
- Apply for your baby's Emirates ID.
For UAE national families there is also the step of adding the baby to the family book (khulasat al-qaid). The sections below cover each stage in detail.
Step 1: the hospital birth notification
The hospital where your baby is born will issue a birth notification form shortly after the delivery. This is your starting document for everything that follows. Keep it safe.
The deadlines for the next step depend on your status:
- UAE nationals: register within 15 days of the birth.
- Expat residents: register within 30 days of the birth.
Missing these deadlines results in a fine. In many emirates it is AED 25 per day, up to a maximum of around AED 500. Beyond the fine, late registration can create complications when you apply for the residency visa and your baby's home-country passport, so it is worth prioritising this step even in the fog of the newborn phase.
Step 2: getting the birth certificate
Take the hospital birth notification to the relevant civil registry authority. Which authority you use depends on where you live:
- Federal (all emirates): ICP, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, handles birth registration at its service centres.
- Dubai: the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) manages birth registration, often in coordination with the hospital itself. Many Dubai hospitals offer in-house registration services.
- Abu Dhabi: the Department of Health (DoH), formerly HAAD, and ICP service centres.
- Northern emirates: the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) and ICP offices.
Documents you will need
- Hospital birth notification form
- Mother's passport and Emirates ID
- Father's passport and Emirates ID
- Marriage certificate (must be attested)
The birth certificate is issued in Arabic. If you need it for use outside the UAE, you will need a certified translation and potentially additional attestation depending on the country.
Step 3: for UAE national families, update the family book
UAE national families register the new baby in the family book (khulasat al-qaid) at the emirate-level civil registry. This is done alongside or after obtaining the birth certificate. The family book is the official family record used for a wide range of government services in the UAE.
Step 4: expat families, apply for the residency visa
Every child living in the UAE as an expat resident needs a UAE residency visa. You have 120 days from the date of birth to apply. Do not leave this to the last minute; processing can take time and you will need the birth certificate first.
Who sponsors the child?
In most cases, the father sponsors the child on his UAE residency visa. If the father does not have a UAE residency visa, or if the parents are unmarried and the mother holds a self-sponsored visa, the mother can sponsor the child. Each situation is different, so if yours is not straightforward, it is worth contacting ICP or a PRO (public relations officer) service for guidance.
Where to apply
- All emirates except Dubai: apply through ICP service centres or the ICP app.
- Dubai: apply through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Amer service centres.
Documents typically required
- UAE birth certificate
- Both parents' passports
- Both parents' Emirates IDs
- Attested marriage certificate
- Sponsor's (father's or mother's) UAE residence visa
- Passport-size photos of the baby
Document requirements can vary and are updated periodically. Check the ICP or GDRFA website for the most current list before your visit.
Step 5: Emirates ID for the baby
All UAE residents, including infants, must have an Emirates ID. You submit the Emirates ID application at the same time as the residency visa application, so there is no separate visit required for this. For children under 15, biometrics are taken automatically when the card is issued; you do not need to visit an ICP centre specifically for fingerprints.
The Emirates ID is a vital document for accessing healthcare, including your baby's vaccination appointments at government clinics.
Your baby's home-country passport
Alongside the UAE steps, you will also need to apply for your baby's passport from your home country as soon as possible. Most expat parents do this in parallel with the UAE residency process. Requirements vary by country, but you will almost always need the UAE birth certificate and its translation as part of that application. Contact your country's embassy or consulate in the UAE for the specific requirements.
A quick summary of deadlines
| Task | Deadline | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Register birth and get birth certificate | 15 days (nationals) / 30 days (expats) | All families |
| Apply for residency visa | 120 days from birth | Expat families |
| Emirates ID application | With residency visa application | Expat families |
| Add baby to family book | As soon as birth certificate is issued | UAE national families |
Practical tips
- Get your marriage certificate attested before the birth if possible. Attestation can take several weeks. If your certificate is not attested, you cannot complete the birth registration, which delays everything downstream.
- Many Dubai hospitals handle registration in-house. Ask your hospital's patient services team on or just after your delivery day whether they offer an in-hospital registration service. This saves a separate trip.
- Use the ICP app. ICP has a smartphone app (UAE ICP) that allows you to start and track many registration and visa applications digitally, saving time at service centres.
- Make copies of everything. Keep digital and physical copies of the birth notification, birth certificate, and all application receipts. You will need these documents repeatedly in your child's early years.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register my baby's birth in the UAE?
Collect the birth notification from your hospital, then take it with both parents' passports, Emirates IDs, and an attested marriage certificate to ICP or your emirate's civil registry. A birth certificate is issued. If you are an expat, you then apply for your baby's residency visa and Emirates ID through ICP or GDRFA in Dubai.
How long do I have to register a birth in the UAE?
UAE nationals have 15 days from the date of birth. Expat families have 30 days. Late registration incurs a fine, typically AED 25 per day up to around AED 500 in most emirates.
Does my baby need a residency visa in the UAE?
Yes, if you are an expat. All children residing in the UAE need a valid residency visa. You have 120 days from birth to apply. The father normally sponsors the child, or the mother can do so in certain circumstances. Apply through ICP or GDRFA in Dubai, and submit the Emirates ID application at the same time.
What happens if I miss the deadline to register a birth?
You will incur a fine, typically AED 25 per day up to around AED 500. Beyond the fine, a delayed birth certificate can slow down your baby's residency visa application and their home-country passport application, so act promptly.
Can I register the birth if my marriage certificate is not attested?
No. An attested marriage certificate is required. If yours is not attested, you need to go through the attestation process first, which involves certification in your home country and then attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is best to sort this out before your baby arrives.