Dubai: Need to apply for your newborn’s birth certificate in Dubai? You can complete the entire process online, from the comfort of your home, thanks to the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) digital service, launched last year.What is a birth certificate and why do I need it?A birth certificate is a legal document that verifies your child’s identity. It’s essential for applying for mandatory government identity documents, like your child’s passport, Emirates ID and residence visa.In the UAE, if you are an expatriate, you must apply for your newborn’s residence visa within 120 days of the birth date. Missing this window results in daily fines, so it’s important to complete the process as soon as possible, starting with registering a birth certificate, and then applying for the child’s passport, their Emirates ID, and residence visa.Required documentsThe following documents are required for processing the birth certificate, according to the DHA website.Parents’ Emirates ID or passport (for expatriates), or Family Book (for citizens)Original marriage certificate (attestations from the UAE consulate and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are required for marriage certificates issued from outside UAE)Original birth notification stamped by the health facilityIf you are replacing a lost birth certificate, you would need the following documents:Parents’ Emirates ID or passport (for expatriates), or Family Book (for citizens)Copy of the original birth certificateA police report confirming the loss, in case a copy of the birth certificate is unavailable How to apply for a birth certificateIn order to apply, follow these steps:Visit the DHA website, dha.gov.ae, and select ‘Individual Services’.Next, select ‘Issuance of a birth certificate/copy/replacement for a lost one’. Click the ‘Access Service’ button and log in using your UAE PASS.Once you are signed in, complete the application form provided, and include your personal information, including your full name, mobile number, email address, and home address.Upload the required documents, and pay the application fee. The digital certificate will be made available to you for download through an SMS notification and email. However, before payment, you also have the option to request a physical copy for an added fee, which will be sent by courier to your address. For personalised guidance, parents can also contact DHA’s toll-free number 800342 (800 DHA) for immediate assistance.Cost: Dh70The processing time for the service is one working day, according to the DHA. You can choose to obtain the certificate in Arabic or English.
