Birth certificate and newborn residence visa in the UAE: the steps, in order
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
After the birth, the hospital gives you a birth notification. Government hospitals then issue the birth certificate; after a private hospital birth you apply to MOHAP or your emirate's health authority, within 30 days according to u.ae. Have it attested, add your baby to your insurance, get the passport from your embassy, then complete the residence visa and Emirates ID within 120 days.
The order of things
Each document needs the previous one, so the order matters.
| Step | What | Deadline or timing (u.ae and official pages, October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birth notification | Given by the hospital after the birth |
| 2 | Birth certificate | Within 30 days for residents |
| 3 | Attestation | Before using the certificate abroad or for many embassy steps |
| 4 | Baby's health insurance | In Dubai: covered under the mother's policy for up to 30 days, own plan from day 30 |
| 5 | Passport | From your embassy, as soon as you have the birth certificate |
| 6 | Residence visa and Emirates ID | All the baby's documents within 120 days of the birth |
Step 1 and 2: from birth notification to birth certificate
u.ae explains: after the birth, the hospital provides a stamped and signed birth notification. Government hospitals issue the birth certificate as the next step. For babies born in private hospitals, parents apply to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) or to the health authority of their emirate for the birth certificate, presenting the birth notification.
The documents u.ae lists for the birth certificate, to be submitted to the hospital or the health authority:
For babies born in Dubai Health facilities, Dubai Health lists a valid Emirates ID and the original marriage certificate, with attestations from the UAE consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the marriage certificate was issued outside the UAE. Its customer line is 800 60, 24 hours a day.
Good to know
Decide your baby's full name before the birth, and check the spelling against both parents' passports and your countries' naming rules. Correcting a UAE birth certificate later takes much longer than getting it right the first time.
If you are not married to your baby's other parent
The standard process asks for a marriage certificate. In Abu Dhabi, the Judicial Department publishes a procedure for a baby born outside of marriage under the emirate's civil family law: both parents sign an application and a declaration that they are the biological parents, attach the birth notification and a copy of the father's Emirates ID and passport, and submit it at an Abu Dhabi typing centre; at the judge's discretion, the court usually issues a judgment without a hearing, and the birth certificate can then be obtained. You may apply if you live in Abu Dhabi or if your child was born there. For other emirates, ask your hospital and your emirate's health authority and courts which procedure applies.
Step 3: attestation
u.ae states that all expatriates must get birth certificates attested by MOHAP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that certificates stamped by the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi or the Dubai Health Authority are equivalent to the MOHAP seal. Ask your embassy which level of attestation it needs before you book anything: requirements vary between countries.
Your marriage certificate, if issued abroad, usually needs legalisation in the country of issue, the UAE embassy's stamp there, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' stamp, plus a legal Arabic translation. Start during pregnancy if it is not done: it can take weeks.
Step 4: your baby's health insurance
In Dubai, the minimum insurance standard extends the mother's cover to her newborn for up to 30 days from birth, whether or not the baby is later enrolled on the same policy, and requires the newborn to be enrolled in its own plan, as a dependent or individually, from the 30th day. A DHA directive also forbids any waiting period for newborns. In other emirates, ask your insurer for the newborn rules of your policy.
This step matters for the visa too: ICP lists valid health insurance among the documents for a family residence permit.
Step 5: the passport
Your baby's nationality comes from your country or countries, not from the UAE. u.ae states that for expatriate families the baby carries the citizenship of the father, and that Emirati nationality is acquired only through specific nomination routes. If you and your partner have different nationalities, check with both embassies: many countries pass citizenship through either parent, some require registration within a time limit, and some do not allow dual nationality.
Generic embassy steps:
- Read your embassy's page on registering a birth abroad and on a child's first passport.
- Gather what it asks for: usually the UAE birth certificate (often attested), both parents' passports and visas, the marriage certificate and photos to specification.
- Register the birth if your country requires it, and apply for the passport. Many countries require both parents' consent.
- Ask how long it takes: passports can take weeks, and the UAE clock is running.
Step 6: residence visa and Emirates ID, within 120 days
u.ae states that residents have 120 days from the birth to arrange the formal documents, including the birth certificate, passport, Emirates ID and visa. If the residence visa is not finalised within 120 days, u.ae says a fine is charged for each extra day and the baby will not be allowed to exit the country. Check the current fine with ICP or GDRFA before you plan around it.
Who can sponsor. ICP and u.ae state that a foreign resident (his or her) may sponsor a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs. The sponsor must:
ICP's document list for family members also includes an employment certificate showing monthly income and housing, and valid health insurance. The baby's residence cannot run beyond the sponsor's permit.
Where to apply. ICP's smart services website or app, or an ICP customer happiness centre; in Dubai, the GDRFA's channels. Most services require a UAE Pass login. Fees are listed on each service page and change: check them on the day. After the birth certificate, u.ae also mentions adding your newborn to the family data at ICP, and the residence permit is linked to an Emirates ID application.
Is it normal?
Is it normal for the visa to take several weeks? Yes: the passport usually sets the pace. That is why it helps to start the embassy step in the first week, and to aim to apply for the residence visa well before day 90 rather than day 119.
A 120-day plan you can stick on the fridge
Get the whole process in one place
Our guide to having a baby in the UAE as an expat covers insurance, hospitals and leave. The printable ebook includes a document tracker, an embassy checklist and a timeline from positive test to first birthday.
Questions parents ask
How long do I have to register a birth in the UAE?
u.ae states that residents have a maximum period of 30 days to register their child's birth in the UAE.
What is the deadline for a newborn's residence visa?
u.ae states that residents have 120 days from the birth to arrange the birth certificate, passport, Emirates ID and visa. After that, a daily fine applies and the baby cannot leave the country.
Who issues birth certificates in Dubai?
Government hospitals issue the birth certificate after the birth. For births in private hospitals, parents apply to the Ministry of Health and Prevention or to their emirate's health authority with the birth notification, according to u.ae.
Does my baby need to be attested?
u.ae states that expatriates must get birth certificates attested by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Certificates stamped by the DHA or DoH are equivalent to the MOHAP seal.
Can a mother sponsor her baby's UAE visa?
Yes, if she meets the conditions. ICP states that a foreign resident (his or her) may sponsor children, with a valid residence permit, a minimum income and adequate housing.
Sources
- u.ae — Having a baby (birth certificate, attestation, 30 and 120 days) checked October 13, 2026
- Dubai Health — Request a Birth Certificate checked October 13, 2026
- ICP — Issuing Residency Permit (family members of a foreign resident) checked October 13, 2026
- u.ae — Residence visa for families of employees checked October 13, 2026
- Dubai Health Authority — GC 03/2024, Essential Benefits Plan (newborn cover) checked October 13, 2026
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Civil Family Court (birth certificate outside marriage) checked October 13, 2026
- u.ae — Emirati nationality checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.