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MOFA birth certificate attestation is the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamp on a birth certificate. For a child born in the UAE, MOFA attests the certificate from DHA, the Abu Dhabi Department of Health or MOHAP so it can be used abroad, and MOHAP certificates can get MOFA and embassy attestation in one go. A birth certificate issued abroad needs its home country steps and the UAE embassy before MOFA.
Price: a UAE birth certificate from AED 250 plus VAT, usually in 2 to 3 working days. From abroad: UK from AED 985 plus VAT (standard route), USA AED 1,025 plus VAT, Canada AED 1,900 plus VAT. All official fees and courier included. See attestation fees.
Who issued the birth certificate
The issuer decides the first step and whether MOFA's digital route is open to you.
| Born in | Certificate issued by | MOFA step |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Dubai Health Authority, usually through the hospital | MOFA online, digital or courier |
| Abu Dhabi and Al Ain | Department of Health Abu Dhabi | MOFA online, digital or courier |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah | MOHAP | MOFA and embassy together, inside the MOHAP application |
| Outside the UAE | Civil registry of the country of birth | After the UAE embassy in that country |
A UAE birth certificate for use abroad
Parents usually need this to get the baby's passport from their own country, to register the birth back home, or to move the family to a third country.
- Check the certificate. The baby's name and both parents' names must match the passports exactly.
- MOHAP certificate: MOFA's FAQ says the MOFA and embassy attestation can be done in one procedure while you apply through MOHAP.
- DHA or Department of Health certificate: apply for MOFA attestation online with UAE PASS. An eligible digital PDF with a QR code or reference number is attested within 2 hours in working hours. A paper certificate goes by courier in 1 to 3 business days.
- Your embassy in the UAE. Some countries want their embassy to legalise the certificate after MOFA. Ask them which order they need.
Timelines for the passport and residence of a newborn are on baby born in the UAE: birth certificate guide, and other UAE papers going abroad are on UAE documents for use abroad.
A foreign birth certificate for use in the UAE
This is the certificate GDRFA and ICP want when you sponsor a child on your residence visa, and schools may ask for it at enrolment.
- Get the full birth certificate that names both parents from the civil registry.
- Have it legalised by the foreign ministry or apostille authority of the country of birth.
- Have it attested by the UAE embassy in that country.
- MOFA completes it. For the UK, the USA and several other countries, this happens together with the embassy step, digitally.
An apostille alone is refused, because the UAE is not in the Apostille Convention. Country routes are on birth certificate attestation, and the rest of the visa file on documents to attest for a family visa.
Documents to send
- A photo of the birth certificate, both sides
- Passport copies of the child and both parents
- The destination country, for a UAE certificate
- A legal translation if the certificate is in a language other than Arabic or English
Common problems with birth certificates at MOFA
- Short-form certificates. Without the parents' names, the certificate does not prove who sponsors the child.
- Scans sent for digital attestation. MOFA's digital route needs the original digital PDF, not a scan or photo.
- Spelling errors. Correct them with DHA, the Department of Health or MOHAP first.
- Several children. Each certificate is a separate document with its own fees. Send them together so they finish together.
- Marriage certificate forgotten. Many embassies want it next to the birth certificate. See MOFA marriage certificate attestation.
Official sources
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