Birth and Death Certificate Services in UAE

If you’re living in the UAE and planning to register a birth or report a death, there’s an important update. The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has officially stopped offering services for issuing birth and death certificates. This change, which happened quietly without much public announcement, affects all residents — citizens and expatriates.

Who Issues Birth and Death Certificates Now?

Until recently, residents across the UAE could apply for birth and death certificates through the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), either via their website or WhatsApp service. But this is no longer the case.

As of now, MoHAP has completely stepped away from this responsibility. Instead, a new emirate-based system is in place — 

1. In Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) now handles all registrations
2. In Abu Dhabi, it’s managed by the Department of Health (DoH)
3. For the northern emirates — including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah — the responsibility lies with Emirates Health Services (EHS)

Each emirate’s health body now oversees these processes independently. However, all certificates issued — whether by EHS, DHA, or DoH — are legally valid across the UAE and carry the same official weight as those previously issued by MoHAP.

This shift marks a bigger move towards decentralisation in UAE’s health administration, which gives each Emirate more control over its services.

Let's first take a look at the application process for birth certificates, followed by the death certificate issuance process. 

Applying for a Birth Certificate in the Northern Emirates (Through EHS)

If you live in the northern emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah — you’ll need to apply for your newborn’s birth certificate through Emirates Health Services (EHS). This is now the official channel following MoHAP's withdrawal from birth and death registrations.

The process is streamlined into three application options depending on your eligibility and preference —

Option 1: Apply via the EHS Website

This method is available to all parents — citizens and expatriates — living in EHS-administered emirates.

Steps

1. Send an SMS with your hospital birth notification number and the name of the service provider
2. Log in with your UAE Pass (digital ID)
3. Complete the online application and upload the required documents
4. Pay the fee online (AED 65 per certificate)
   Choose whether to —
   • Receive the certificate by delivery, or
   • Visit a public health centre in the same emirate for document verification and collection

Option 2: ‘Mabrouk Ma Yak’ Package (For UAE Nationals)

This integrated e-service is available to Emirati citizens only —

1. Apply through the e-system
2. Pay the certificate fee
3. The application is automatically forwarded to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship for processing of birth certificate and other identity documents

Option 3: At Public Health Centres or Government Hospitals

If you prefer an in-person method, this is available across all EHS hospitals and authorised health centres —

1. Digitally submit the application at the centre
2. Provide original documents for verification
3. Pay the service fee
4. Receive the certificate after validation or have it delivered

Processing Time & Service Hours for Issuing Birth Certificate via EHS Portal

Applying for a Birth Certificate in Dubai (Through DHA)

In Dubai, the process of issuing a birth certificate is handled by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Whether you are an Emirati or an expatriate, registering your newborn’s birth is mandatory and must be completed within 30 days from the date of delivery. 

1. Go to www.dha.gov.ae From the homepage, navigate to ‘Services for Individuals’
2. Choose ‘Issue a New, Copy or Replacement Birth Certificate’
3. Click on the ‘Access This Service’ button
4. Use your UAE Pass (recommended) or log in with your DHA username and password — if you don’t have an account, you can register as a new user
5. Fill in details as prompted —

• Baby’s name
• Birth date and time
• Hospital of birth
• Parent details (Emirates ID, passport info, nationality)

1. Pay the fees
   Once approved, you’ll receive a digital copy of the birth certificate — you can also choose to collect a hard copy from the designated DHA office or request delivery (if offered)

Processing Time & Service Hours for Issuing Birth Certificate Via DHA Portal

Applying for a Birth Certificate in Abu Dhabi (Through the DoH Website)

If your baby is born in Abu Dhabi, the process of registering the birth and obtaining a digital birth certificate will be handled by the Department of Health (DoH). The entire application can be completed online through their secure digital platform.

The certificate is usually issued within 1 working day and can also be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs if needed for use abroad.

1. Visit the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi website
2. Select the service: ‘Issue a Newborn Digital Birth Certificate’
3. Use your UAE Pass to log in securely
4. Fill in the required details of the newborn and the parents and upload all the necessary documents 
5. Pay online using your preferred payment method
6. You’ll receive a digital copy of the birth certificate by email or portal
7. You can also choose to get the certificate attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (optional)

Processing Time & Service Hours for Issuing Birth Certificate Via DHA Portal

Documents Required for Birth Certificate in the UAE

Keep the following documents ready for issuance of birth certificate — 

For All Applicants

1. Original birth notification (stamped and certified by the hospital)
2. Passports and Emirates IDs of both parents
3. Certified marriage certificate (original + copy)
4. Proof of residency for expatriates
5. Presence of a parent or authorised relative/representative

For Special Cases (e.g., birth in prison or without full documentation)

1. Letter from a correctional facility or Department of Social Services
2. Court record of the child's birth and parents' names
3. Mother’s passport or letter from General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
4. Completed application form

If certain documents are missing, the case is referred to a competent committee for newborn registration decisions.

Applying for Death Certificate in the Northern Emirates (Through EHS)

If a person passes away in any of the northern emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah — the process of issuing a death certificate is managed by Emirates Health Services (EHS).

This official document confirms the death and includes critical information such as the date, place, and cause of death as well as the nationality and religion of the deceased.

Who Can Apply?

1. Immediate family members (spouse, children, siblings, parents)
2. A legally authorised representative
3. A party with an official letter of authority (e.g., from the consulate, police, or employer)

📝 Step-by-Step Application Process

Option 1: Online via EHS Website

1. Visit the EHS portal at www.ehs.gov.ae
2. Create an account or log in using your username and password
3. Fill out the online application and upload all required documents
4. Pay the service fee online
5. The public health centre will verify the attachments
6. A digital certificate will be issued
7. To obtain a physical copy, you must visit the same public health centre where the application was submitted

Option 2: In-Person at Public Health Centre or Hospital

1. Visit the health facility in the emirate where the death occurred
2. Submit the application and present original documents
3. Pay the service fee onsite
4. Once verified, the digital certificate will be generated
5. Collect the printed certificate from the same centre

Documents Required for Death Certificate in the UAE

Listed below are the documents required to apply for a death certificate in the UAE —

1. Attested death notification (issued by the hospital or healthcare facility)
2. Original documents or certified copies (passport, Emirates ID of deceased)
3. Forensic report (in case of unexplained or suspected criminal death) 
4. All names across the documents must match (especially those in the police statement and ID/passport)

Fees for Issuing Death Certificate in the UAE

*MoFA attestation fees may vary as per the country

Timeline & Service Hours for Issuing Death Certificate

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