In a sweeping administrative change, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has officially ended its role in issuing birth and death certificates. These vital registration services are now handled by Emirates Health Services (EHS) in the northern emirates, while Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue under their respective local health authorities.The transition was made quietly, with MoHAP removing all related service options from its website and discontinuing its WhatsApp-based application system. Residents are now required to navigate a decentralised process based on their emirate of residence.
What Has Changed?
MoHAP has withdrawn from issuing birth and death certificates.
- Emirates Health Services (EHS) is now responsible in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DoH) continue to manage services locally.- Certificates issued by EHS, DHA, or DoH are fully equivalent to those formerly issued by MoHAP.
BIRTH CERTIFICATES: How It Works Now
Who Can Apply?Parents (of any nationality), legal guardians, or authorised delegates.Where to Apply?
- Via the EHS website (requires UAE Pass)
- Through the Mabrouk Ma Yak platform (for Emiratis only)
- At EHS public health centres or hospitals
Documents Needed:
- Valid Emirates ID and passport for both parents
- Hospital-issued, certified birth notification
- Electronic civil record
- Marriage certificate or notarised parentage document
For UAE citizens with births abroad:
- Return tickets
- ID and passports of both parents
- Attested marriage certificate
For complex cases (e.g., prison births):
- Court-issued documents
- Letters from correctional facilities or social services
Birth notifications
- Fees & Turnaround (Converted to INR)
- Birth Certificate in Arabic: AED 65 (~₹1,470)
- English Copy (optional): AED 65 (~₹1,470)
- Time to Issue: 1 working day
DEATH CERTIFICATES: Procedure and Conditions
Who Can Apply?Immediate family members or legally authorised persons.Where to Apply?
- Through the EHS online portal
- At a designated public health centre or hospital
Documents Required:
- Emirates ID or passport of the deceased
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Ministry of Interior
- Official death report
- In suspicious or unknown-cause deaths: Forensic report
- Name consistency across all documents is mandatory
International Use:Certificates must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the embassy of the relevant foreign country.
- Fees & Timelines (Converted to INR)
- Death Certificate in Arabic: AED 65 (~₹1,470)
- English Copy (optional): AED 65 (~₹1,470)
Time to Issue:
- 5 minutes for e-certificates
- Physical copy available upon in-person visit
Service Hours
- Monday to Thursday: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
- Friday: 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Why the Change Matters
The UAE is continuing its trend of devolving administrative authority to regional bodies, particularly for citizen services. Emirates Health Services already manages most public healthcare in the northern emirates, making it a natural successor to MoHAP in handling life-event documentation.The Bottom LineThe next time you need a birth or death certificate in the UAE, MoHAP is no longer your go-to authority. Depending on where you live, you’ll be interacting with EHS, DHA, or DoH—with new procedures, slightly altered fees, and a greater push toward digital verification.While the transition might be procedural, it signals a larger shift in how civil documentation is administered across the UAE—more digital, more localised, and firmly tied to regional health systems.(Exchange rate used: 1 AED = ₹22.60)
