Are you expecting a baby? Formal documentation can be quite a challenge. This guide describes how to apply for a passport, Emirates ID, visa, and a newborn birth certificate in the UAE.
How to get a newborn birth certificate in the UAE – Emirati applicants
Mabrouk Ma Yak, an integrated digital service, allows UAE nationals to apply for a birth certificate for their babies. Among the services they can apply for:
- A birth certificate
- An Emirates ID card
- Thiqa (insurance)
- Their name added to the Family Book
- Passport
Users of Mabrouk Ma Yak can also register their newborn’s name in the country’s population register.
Matrouk Ma Yaks requirements for a birth certificate for a newborn
Within three months of the baby’s birth, the father must apply for the service. Other conditions include:
- Father must be a UAE national with a verified UAE Pass account
- In the family book, his wife must be included
Only babies born in hospitals authorized to provide the Mabrouk Ma Yak service qualify for the process. To open a file, parents must provide the following documents:
- Family book
- Valid Emirates ID of both parents
- Certificate of marriage (only needed if the child is a woman’s firstborn)
How to use the Mabrouk Ma Yak service
Parents who wish to use Mabrouk Ma Yak to obtain identification documents for their newborn Emiratis must notify the hospital first. Then they must follow these steps:
- Step One: Receive an SMS containing a link to complete the process online.
- Step Two: Visit the Mabrouk Ma Yak online portal, upload the baby’s picture, and fill out the name.
- Step Three: Pay the online fee.
After completing the last 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.
Do hospitals issue birth certificates to Emirati parents?
All government hospitals in the UAE issue birth certificates. Private hospitals issue birth certificates differently.
Private establishments will issue a signed and stamped “notification of birth” in Arabic. Parents can apply for birth certificates only through the relevant health authorities in their emirate or the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
Citizens can apply for a passport for their newborn
Emirati parents can apply for a newborn baby passport in the UAE via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs/ Citizen Department. Applications can also be made online through the Ministry of Interior’s website.
What is the process for expatriates to apply for a visa and birth certificate in the UAE?
In the UAE, ex-pat residents must register a child’s birth within 30 days. The child will adopt the mother’s nationality if the parents are of different nationalities.
Expat birth certificate requirements in the UAE
To obtain a birth certificate for their newborn, parents must submit the following documents to the hospital of birth or the health authority in their emirate:
- Summary of hospital discharges
- Hospital birth notification
- Attested marriage certificate (translated into Arabic if it is in another language)
- Original passports and residence visas of the husband and wife
- Passport and residence visa copies
In addition, all ex-pats must have their birth certificates attested by the following government agencies:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
- Ministry of Health and Prevention
Birth certificates stamped by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or the Department of Health Abu Dhabi are equivalent to those stamped by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
Expats – when do they have to apply for a newborn birth certificate?
All formal documents for international residents in the UAE must be in order within 120 days of the birth of the child. The baby’s Emirates ID, passport, birth certificate, and visa are included.
What happens if the documents cannot be arranged in 120 days?
A penalty of AED 100 per day will be imposed after the ‘120-day’ period expires. Additionally, the child will not be allowed to leave the country.
How can ex-pat newborns apply for passports?
Once the birth certificates have been attested, expatriate residents can apply for passports for their newborn babies through their respective foreign embassies in the UAE. It is advisable to arrange an appointment with the embassy of your country. Make sure you have all the necessary documents and requirements.
For a newborn in the Emirates, how to get an emirates id and residence visa
At a typing center, ex-pat parents can apply for a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID for their children. Online applications are accepted by the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (FIAC). Residents of Dubai must visit their nearest Amer center.
The following requirements must be met before applying for an Emirates ID and residence visa at an Amer Centre in Dubai:
- A copy of the spouse’s passport and a copy of the sponsor’s passport with a valid and stamped residence visa
- Attested birth certificate of the baby (original)
- A copy of your registered tenancy agreement
- Passport-sized photo of the newborn child (white background, eyes open)
- Original Emirates ID of the sponsor
Amer services take about two days to process and deliver an e-visa. A copy of the visa will be emailed to the registered email address.
FIAC or Amer Centres can type an Emirates ID for your newborn. The following documents should be available 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 the passport stamped with the child’s residency visa. The following documents will also need to be taken to an Amer or typing center:
- Original passport of the newborn baby
- Health insurance documents
- Original Emirates ID of the sponsor
Check out the process of registering your child’s birth in Dubai for a more in-depth look. After the visa has been stamped, it will be sent back to the applicant via the same courier service.