Last Verified: 1 Nov 2026 Family & Education

Registering a Newborn in the UAE: Hospital Notification to Birth Certificate

Following the birth of a baby in the UAE, parents must secure an official birth certificate within 30 days. Learn the exact digital steps across DHA, DoH, and MOHAP portals.

Updated: 1 November 2026 — Verified against current gazetted ministerial decisions • Next Scheduled Review: 30 Jan 2027

Who Is This Guide For?

Expatriate parents who have delivered or are expecting a newborn baby in any UAE hospital across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or the Northern Emirates.

Required Documents Checklist

Original electronic Birth Notification issued by the delivery hospital
Original passports of both parents
Original valid Emirates IDs of both father and mother
Original legally attested marriage certificate (with MOFA attestation and Arabic translation if issued abroad)
Mother and father's valid residence visas (or entry permits)

Verified Official Fees & Costs

Birth Certificate (Arabic): AED 50 to AED 65
Birth Certificate (Bilingual Arabic/English): AED 100 to AED 130
MOHAP digital issuance fee: AED 65
MOFA electronic attestation fee (per certificate): AED 150
Delivery courier fee: ~AED 20 to AED 30
Checked 1 November 2026 via DHA, DoH (TAMM), and MOHAP service portals.

Immediate Steps Following the Birth of a Child in the UAE

When a child is born in a hospital in the United Arab Emirates, the medical facility initiates an electronic birth notification that connects directly to the relevant health authority. Parents have a statutory period of 30 calendar days from the date of delivery to apply for and obtain the official digital birth certificate.

1. Hospital Birth Notification (Within 24-48 Hours)

Immediately after birth, the hospital administration creates an electronic record on the health authority system:

In Dubai: Hospital uploads records to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) electronic registry.
In Abu Dhabi: Records are uploaded directly to the Department of Health (DoH) via the TAMM digital ecosystem ("Mabrouk Ma Yak" service for citizens and standard birth registry for expats).
In Northern Emirates: The hospital logs the birth into the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) federal registry.

Parents will receive an automated SMS confirming the electronic Birth Notification number once the medical discharge summary is signed off by the attending obstetrician.

2. Preparing Required Marital & Identity Documentation

Under UAE civil status and personal law, parents must furnish legitimate proof of marriage to register the child's birth certificate:

Marriage Certificate Authenticity: If married within the UAE, provide the official UAE electronic marriage contract. If married abroad, the foreign marriage certificate must be fully attested up to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and legally translated into Arabic by a Ministry of Justice (MOJ) certified legal translator.
Parental Identification: Original Emirates IDs and passports with valid residence visas for both spouses must be active.

3. Digital Application & Certificate Generation

Parents can complete the application online without visiting customer service centers:

Log into the DHA, TAMM, or MOHAP smart app using verified UAE Pass.
Select the "Issue Birth Certificate" service and input the hospital Birth Notification number.
Select Bilingual (Arabic / English) certificate format. Foreign embassies in the UAE require the English translation on the official government template to issue your child's first passport.
Pay the government fee (AED 100 to AED 130 depending on the authority).
Download the digitally signed and QR-coded official birth certificate, or select premium courier delivery for embossed physical copies.

4. MOFA Attestation for International Recognition

Before presenting the birth certificate to your home country's embassy or consulate to apply for your newborn's passport, the document must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). This can be completed via mofa.gov.ae for an official fee of AED 150.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Delaying application beyond the 30-day statutory window (late applications require court verification and administrative penalties)
Arriving at the hospital without an officially attested marriage certificate (vital for foreign-married expatriates)
Failing to request the bilingual Arabic/English certificate required by foreign embassies for newborn passport applications
Spelling the child's name inconsistently between the hospital notification and passport application

Official Government Sources & Public Portals

Verified against the following official government links on 1 Nov 2026:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a birth certificate if our marriage certificate is not yet attested by MOFA?

If married outside the UAE, hospitals and health authorities strictly require the marriage certificate to be fully attested by MOFA (and translated into Arabic if issued in a foreign language) before approving the official birth certificate.

What is the deadline to issue a birth certificate in the UAE?

Parents must officially issue the birth certificate within 30 calendar days of birth. Missing this deadline requires special approval from local health authorities or judicial committees and may incur administrative delays.

Can unmarried mothers register a baby's birth in the UAE?

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 and updated UAE personal status laws, unmarried mothers can register their child's birth by submitting a declaration form and standard identification at designated judicial or health authority centers.