Birth Certificate Attestation in UAE – Legal Verification for Official Use

Birth certificate attestation is the official process of confirming the authenticity of a birth certificate to ensure its legal validity for use in the UAE and abroad. The procedure for newborn birth certificate attestation in the UAE involves verification and stamping by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFA) and, if applicable, the UAE Embassy in the destination country. This process is required for purposes such as applying for a family visa, sponsoring a child or dependent, obtaining a newborn residence visa, enrolling a child in school, or completing any legal procedure that requires proof of birth. Attestation ensures that the UAE government authorities recognise the document and that it meets all official requirements.

Suppose the child was born in the UAE and the birth certificate is issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) or the relevant local health authority. In that case, attestation can be completed through a simplified procedure. When applying for a new birth certificate via MOHAP, MOFA digital attestation and, if required, UAE Embassy attestation for the destination country can be arranged at the same time. The result is an electronically attested certificate with official digital seals, issued within minutes. For previously issued birth certificates that have not been attested, the document must first be authenticated by the issuing health authority (MOHAP or local authority), followed by MOFA attestation. If the certificate will be used outside the UAE, additional attestation by the relevant embassy may be required, depending on the regulations of the destination country. EGSH handles the entire birth certificate attestation process on behalf of the client. We verify the document, select the correct procedure, and complete all submissions with MOHAP, MOFA, and the embassy if necessary. This ensures the attested certificate is delivered quickly, without the need for the client to deal with multiple authorities.

To use a foreign-issued birth certificate in the UAE, it must first be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent authority) in the country of issue, and then legalised by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that country. After the document arrives in the UAE, it requires final attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to be recognised for official purposes. EGSH handles the MOFA birth certificate attestation process and, if required, coordination for any additional local procedures. Clients receive a fully attested document that is ready for use in visa applications, sponsorships, and other official processes.

The required documents depend on where the birth certificate was issued and the purpose of attestation. For certificates issued in the UAE, you will generally need: — The original birth certificate issued by MOHAP or the relevant local health authority. — Copies of both parents' passports. — An attested marriage certificate, if required for the specific visa or sponsorship application. For certificates issued abroad, the document must arrive in the UAE already attested by the relevant foreign authorities and the UAE Embassy in the country of issue before it can be submitted for MOFA attestation. EGSH verifies all documents in advance to ensure they meet UAE requirements and avoid delays in the attestation process.

If the birth certificate is newly issued in the UAE through MOHAP, with MOFA digital attestation requested at the time of issuance, the process can be completed within minutes. For previously issued UAE birth certificates, the attestation process for visa applications typically takes one to two working days. For foreign-issued certificates that have already been attested abroad, the final MOFA attestation in the UAE is usually completed within two to three working days. EGSH monitors every application to ensure the fastest possible turnaround and provides the client with an attested certificate ready for use in the visa process without unnecessary delays.

Embassy attestation is required when a birth certificate will be used in a country other than the one in which it was issued or in the UAE. For example, suppose a foreign-issued certificate is intended for official use in the UAE. In that case, it must first be attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the country of issue after local legalisation. Similarly, if a UAE-issued birth certificate is to be recognised abroad, it may need attestation by the embassy of the destination country in the UAE. EGSH advises clients on whether embassy attestation is necessary for their specific case and coordinates all UAE-based steps to ensure the document meets the legal requirements of the relevant authorities.

The cost of a birth certificate attestation for a family visa in Dubai depends on the origin of the document and the authorities involved. For UAE-issued birth certificates attested through MOFA, the standard fee is AED 150. If embassy attestation is also required, the cost varies by embassy and can be added to the MOFA fee. EGSH provides clients with a full breakdown of applicable fees before starting the process, ensuring transparency and avoiding unexpected charges.