Birth certificates are one of the most vital sets of documents for a person’s identity that come in handy throughout their lifetime. Being the first major document in an individual’s life, you need to ensure that you are procuring it the right way from the right authorities to verify its legitimacy.
Getting a birth certificate for the citizens of the UAE is a simple and easy process. But what about the birth certificates for expats in the UAE? What sort of documents do you need to present to get a birth certificate in the UAE? How to apply for a birth certificate? How to get a residency visa for a newborn in the UAE?
We uncover the answers to all these questions and more as we guide you through the way to knowing everything you need to know about birth certificates for expats in the UAE.
Issue of a Birth Certificate in the UAE
By requesting the issue of a birth certificate in the UAE, you receive an official documented proof of the lineage, religion, nationality, as well as the date and place of birth of a newborn child. Parents of a newborn child need to submit original documents to relevant authorities to procure the birth certificate.
The legal professionals at our certified law firm can assist you in understanding the steps involved in procuring a birth certificate in the UAE, regardless of whether you are a resident or an expat.
Required Documents for a Birth Certificate in the UAE
The following is the set of documents required for a birth certificate in Dubai for an expat.
- Birth notification.
- A marriage certificate or a document or declaration from the parents of the newborn that attributes the newborn to them as certified by the embassy of the concerned nation the parent(s) belong to or through a notary public.
- Passports or identity cards of the parent (s).
Please note that if the birth of the newborn takes place outside of a hospital, you need to present the following documents in addition to the ones already mentioned above.
- A letter from the court that states that the delivery took place at home, including the date and place of birth alongside the names of the parents.
In the event,that the newborn is born within the UAE but the father is not a resident of the country, the following set of documents is needed.
- Certified contract of marriage.
- Official declaration from the wife regarding the continuity of the marriage.
- Passport of the father or a letter from the concerned embassy that states the nationality of the father or an official declaration from the father that is attested by the concerned embassy of his country that establishes his parental relationship with the newborn child.
If the original marriage certificate is not in Arabic, it must be translated and attested in the UAE.
In the event, that none of the aforementioned documents are available, the matter will be referred to the Newborn Committee to take over.
How to Apply for a Birth Certificate in the UAE?
There are various ways through which you can apply for a birth certificate in the UAE. Here are the three processes you can opt for.
Applying for a Birth Certificate through the MOHAP Website
If you are looking for how to apply online for a birth certificate in the UAE through the MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention), you need to go through the following steps.
- Firstly, start by sending an SMS with the location of the service provider and notification number.
- Proceed to sign in to e-services, and enter your username and password for logging into the e-system.
- Next, you need to submit the application through the e-system and pay for the fees online.
- The birth certificate will be delivered to the concerned person. You can even visit a public health centre in the same Emirate and verify and match the original documents to receive the birth certificate.
Applying for a Birth Certificate through the Mabrouk Ma Yak Package
Mabrouk Ma Yak Package refers to a digital service in the UAE that provides documents for a newborn. If you are applying for a birth certificate through this package, you need to follow these steps.
- Start by submitting the application in the e-system.
- Proceed to pay the certificate issuance fee after which the application will be sent to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship
Applying for a Birth Certificate through a Public Health Center or Hospital
If you are applying for a birth certificate through a public health care centre or hospital, then you need to go through the following steps.
- Begin with submitting the application through the e-system
- Proceed to make the payment of the fee.
- The documents and original copies you submitted will be sent for verification. Once verified, the certificate will be issued.
Please note that the application fee stands at AED 60, although there might be some additional charges depending upon whether you are using a master card or a visa or a bank transfer.
Residence Visa for a Newborn in the UAE
You need to procure the residency visa for your newborn within 120 days of their birth. The same is true for a newborn baby passport in the UAE. The process of applying for a residency visa for a newborn is similar to the process of sponsoring a visa for a newborn in the UAE.
You have to fulfil sponsorship requirements to apply for a residency visa. You need to have a valid residence visa, a minimum pre-decided salary along with accommodation. If you are a mother applying for the residency of your newborn, then you need to get approval from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP).
If you don’t obtain a residency visa for the newborn within 120 days of their birth, then a fine of AED 100 will be charged for every day over the deadline and your newborn will not be allowed to leave the country.
In addition to your own identification, you also need to have the birth certificate and passport of your newborn to procure a residency visa. You have to fill out a form and submit the documents to the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). You can also do so by visiting an Amer centre. The newborn baby visa cost in the UAEis a fee of AED 100 for urgent services along with AED 10 as a knowledge and innovation fee.
How to Attest Birth Certificate in the UAE?
In order to get a birth certificate attested in the UAE, you have to get it authenticated by the government departments where the certificate is issued.
First, a notary public needs to verify the birth certificate. Then, it needs to get attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or External Affairs in the country where it was issuedfollowed by the attestation by the home country embassy. Finally, it needs to get attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the certificate has to be used.
Can You Give Birth in the UAE Without a Marriage Certificate?
Federal Law No. 41 of 2022 allows the birth of a child outside marriage and registration of birth to unmarried parents. It can be obtained even if the father is not present. The law allows the unmarried mother to apply for the birth certificate by submitting a court-approved application and a declaration affirming that she is the biological parent. If the father is unknown or not available, the health facility will issue a birth notification based on the mother’s details, provided there is a court order confirming the child’s name and nationality as declared by the mother.
To Conclude
Getting a birth certificate for a newborn in the UAE for expats is not a complicated process. As long as you present the required set of documents we have mentioned above to the relevant authorities, you will get the birth certificate quickly.
Once you receive the birth certificate, proceed to apply for the residency visa for your child. The newborn birthcertificate attestation in the UAE is pivotal for the safe residence of you and your child and must be done as soon as possible.