A baby born in the UAE: birth certificate and residence deadline
Checked on 8 October 2026
Deadline: parents (foreign residents) have 120 days (four months) from the birth to complete the baby's documents: birth certificate, passport, residence visa and Emirates ID. This is set in the executive regulation of the residence law (Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022). Fines: for the baby's Emirates ID, ICP's 'New Identity Card Issuance' page (checked 8 October 2026) says that for a foreigner's child born in the UAE the fine is counted after four months from the date of birth: AED 20 for each day of delay, up to AED 1,000. A separate fine for a late residence is not stated on a live official page: a copy of u.ae's 'Having a baby' page says AED 100 a day and a 2022 ICP announcement reported by the press said AED 25 a day. The baby cannot leave the UAE until the file is settled. Our staff confirm the figures in the official system.
Steps in order: 1. Birth certificate: register the birth at the hospital; in Dubai the certificate is issued through the Dubai Health Authority (MOHAP in other emirates). Khaleej Times says registration should be within 30 days. Parents need their passports, residence details and an attested (and, if not Arabic or English, legally translated) marriage certificate. 2. Attestation: u.ae says expatriates must have the birth certificate attested by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the same u.ae page says a birth certificate stamped by the Dubai Health Authority counts as the Ministry of Health stamp). 3. Passport: apply at your own embassy or consulate. 4. Residence: the sponsoring parent applies (GDRFA Dubai or Amer); ICP's residence page (checked 8 October 2026) requires a sponsor income of at least AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus housing provided by the employer. 5. Emirates ID for the baby.
What to do: start right after the birth; the passport step usually takes the longest. Iranian parents should check how the Iranian consulate is currently working, as Iran's missions in the UAE reportedly reduced staff in 2026.
Government rules and fees change. This guide was correct when our team checked it; a consultant confirms the details for your own case before anything is submitted.
Official sources
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – residency visa and birth certificate for newbornshttps://www.khaleejtimes.com/life-and-living/visa-and-immigration-in-uae/uae-how-expats-can-apply-for-residency-visa-birth-certificate-for-newborns
- ICP – Issuing Residency Permithttps://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e64
- Gulf Today (secondary) – Dh25 fine per day for delaying newborn's residence permit (May 2022)https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2022/05/04/dhs25-fine-per-day-for-delaying-newborn-residence-permit
- ICP – New Identity Card Issuancehttps://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e5a
Related services
New residence for a newborn
Arranges a first residence visa for your newborn child through GDRFA Dubai (Amer).
Emirates ID application, 2 years
New or renewal Emirates ID typing and submission to ICP.
Attestation of personal documents (regular)
Attests your personal documents with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the regular service.
New family residence visa (inside country)
First-time sponsorship of a spouse or child who is already in the UAE on another visa: entry permit, status change and stamping. For renewals use the family residence renewal service.
Questions about your own case?
Message us on WhatsApp: MARIO E.G.S.H AI answers right away and a consultant follows up.