Government-issued certificates from any country showing child details, parent names, and official registration. Both short-form and long-form formats accepted.
Birth Certificate Translation in Dubai
Vital Records
Birth certificates establish your child's identity and your legal relationship to them. For dependent visas, school enrollment, and official UAE records, you need certified Arabic translation that authorities accept without question. We translate birth certificates from every country with the precision that UAE government systems demand.
More Than a Birth Record
In the UAE, a birth certificate is the foundational document establishing your legal relationship to your child. GDRFA uses it to confirm the child you're sponsoring for a dependent visa. KHDA schools need it for enrollment verification—without certified translation, your child cannot be registered. Emirates ID applications for children require the birth certificate as the legal basis for their UAE identity.
Common Uses in the UAE
Beyond dependent visas, translated birth certificates serve multiple essential purposes across UAE government and private sectors. Understanding these uses helps you plan your documentation needs effectively.
Dependent Visa Applications GDRFA requires certified translation to establish the parent-child relationship for family residency visas
School Enrollment KHDA-regulated schools require translated birth certificates for student registration and transfers
Emirates ID Birth certificates support Emirates ID applications for children, establishing identity in UAE systems
Health Insurance Adding children to family health insurance policies requires proof of relationship through birth certificate documentation
Bank Accounts Opening savings accounts for minors requires translated birth certificates to establish guardianship
Passport Renewal Embassy passport renewals or first-time passport applications for children may require translated birth certificates
The Critical Name Consistency Issue
UAE government systems match names character by character with zero tolerance for discrepancies. If your child's birth certificate shows "Mohammad" but their passport shows "Mohammed," the system flags a mismatch and rejects the application. This is the most common reason for visa delays. We check these details before translation begins and advise on resolutions—sometimes a statutory declaration resolves it, sometimes you need a letter from your embassy confirming the name variation.
We verify child and parent names against passport spellings before translation—preventing visa rejection due to name mismatches that cost families weeks of delays.
Attestation Requirements by Country
The attestation process varies significantly depending on where your birth certificate was issued. Countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention follow a simpler process, while non-member countries require full embassy attestation chains.
| Country | Hague Member | Process Required |
|---|---|---|
| India | Yes (July 2005) | MEA Apostille → Translation |
| Pakistan | No | Full attestation chain required |
| Philippines | Yes (2019) | DFA Apostille → Translation |
| UK / USA / Canada | Yes | National Apostille → Translation |
| Bangladesh | Yes (March 2025) | Check if issued before/after joining |
Certificate Formats We Handle
Birth certificates vary significantly by country and issuing authority. Some countries issue short-form certificates (computerized extracts with essential details) and long-form certificates (full registration details including hospital, witnesses, and registration timeline). Hospital birth records may be separate from official civil registration certificates. Delayed registration certificates—issued when births are registered after the normal filing period—often include court orders that require legal translation expertise.
Languages and Countries
We translate birth certificates from India, Pakistan, Philippines, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, all European countries, and Arab countries. Languages include Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Farsi, and many others. For rare languages, we maintain relationships with specialist translators who can provide MOJ-certified translations.
2-4hStandard Turnaround
1hExpress Available
20+Languages Supported
Package Pricing for Families
Families with multiple children benefit from package pricing—translating several birth certificates together reduces the per-document cost. If you're sponsoring your entire family, we can handle all vital records including marriage certificates and birth certificates for each child in a single coordinated package.
All Countries Foreign birth certificates accepted
Visa Ready GDRFA and ICP compliant formatting
2-4 Hours Standard certificate turnaround
School Accepted KHDA enrollment ready
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Translation Process
1
Certificate Review
We verify document legibility, identify issuing authority, and confirm all required details are present.
2
Detail Translation
Child name, parent names, date of birth, place of birth, and registration details translated accurately.
3
Name Verification
Child and parent names verified against passport spellings to ensure visa and school enrollment acceptance.
4
Certified Delivery
MOJ-stamped translation ready for visa applications, school enrollment, or official records.
Certificate Types We Translate
Original hospital documentation of birth. May be required in addition to official registration certificate for certain applications.
Modern digital certificates issued by vital statistics offices. Contains essential information in standardized format.
Certificates issued when birth was registered after the normal filing period. May include additional documentation or court orders.
Common Uses in UAE
GDRFA requires birth certificate translation to establish parent-child relationship for dependent residency visas. Part of standard family visa documentation.
KHDA-regulated schools require certified birth certificate translation for student registration. Needed for both initial enrollment and school transfers.
Birth certificates support Emirates ID applications for children, establishing identity and family relationships in UAE systems.
Adding children to family health insurance policies requires proof of relationship through birth certificate documentation.
Embassy passport renewals or first-time passport applications for children may require translated birth certificates.
What You Need to Know About Birth Certificate Translation
The Real Question: Will GDRFA Accept This?
This is what every parent sponsoring a child in the UAE worries about. The short answer: yes, if done correctly. GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) accepts MOJ-certified translations of birth certificates from any country. The translation must include your child's full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parent names exactly as they appear on the original document.
The catch is name consistency. GDRFA's system matches names character by character. If your child's birth certificate says "Mohammad" but their passport says "Mohammed," the system flags it. We check this before translation and advise you on how to proceed. Sometimes a simple statutory declaration resolves it. Sometimes you need a letter from your embassy.
Foreign vs UAE-Issued Birth Certificates
The documentation requirements differ significantly based on where your child was born. Understanding these differences helps you plan your documentation strategy effectively.
Foreign Birth Certificates
Birth certificates issued outside the UAE require attestation before translation for most official uses. The attestation chain confirms document authenticity through your home country's government and UAE diplomatic channels. Once attested, the certificate receives MOJ-certified Arabic translation for submission to UAE authorities.
Foreign certificates come in various formats: short-form extracts containing essential details, long-form certificates with complete registration information including hospital name, attendants, and witnesses. Some countries issue certificates in local languages only (Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog), while others provide bilingual or English versions. We translate from any language with MOJ certification.
UAE-Issued Birth Certificates
Children born in UAE receive Arabic birth certificates from UAE health authorities. These certificates are already in Arabic and do not require Arabic translation. However, English translation may be needed for embassy passport applications for your child, international school enrollment in English-medium curricula, visa applications for travel to other countries, or when relocating abroad and registering the birth with foreign authorities.
UAE birth certificates have specific formatting including Ministry of Health identifiers, hospital registration details, and parents' residency information. We translate these accurately into English while preserving all official details.
Hospital Birth vs Home Birth Documentation
The type of birth documentation you have affects translation and attestation requirements:
Hospital Birth Certificates
Most birth certificates originate from hospital births. The hospital issues an initial birth notification, which the parents then use to obtain the official civil registration certificate from vital statistics authorities. Some countries issue both documents separately; others combine them. UAE authorities typically require the civil registration certificate (the official government document), not just the hospital notification.
Hospital birth certificates typically include: child's full name, date and time of birth, place of birth (hospital name and address), parent names and nationalities, attending physician or midwife, and registration number. We translate all these details accurately.
Home Birth Documentation
Home births present additional documentation complexity. In many countries, home births require separate civil registration with supporting documentation such as:
- Midwife or birth attendant attestation
- Parental sworn declarations
- Witness statements
- Hospital verification (if the child was examined post-birth)
Home birth certificates may have different formatting than hospital-issued certificates. They may include references to home birth legislation, midwifery registration numbers, or declarations confirming the circumstances of birth. We understand these variations and translate them appropriately for UAE authorities.
Some jurisdictions issue home birth certificates with annotations indicating the birth location was not a medical facility. These annotations must be translated accurately as UAE authorities review the complete document.
Birth Center and Clinic Certificates
Births at licensed birth centers or clinics receive certificates similar to hospital births but may reference the birth center rather than a hospital. These are generally straightforward to attest and translate, following standard processes for institutional births.
Late Registration and Delayed Birth Certificates
Not all births are registered immediately. When registration occurs after the standard filing period (typically 1-12 months depending on country), authorities issue delayed or late registration certificates. These certificates have specific characteristics that affect translation and UAE acceptance:
What Makes Late Registration Different
Delayed registration certificates often include:
- Court orders authorizing the late registration
- References to the delay and reasons provided
- Supporting affidavits from parents, relatives, or witnesses
- Hospital records or other supporting documentation
- Annotations indicating the late registration status
UAE authorities may scrutinize late registration certificates more closely, particularly if the delay was significant. Accurate translation of all annotations and supporting documentation demonstrates transparency and aids acceptance.
Countries with Common Late Registration Issues
- Pakistan: Late registrations through NADRA may include court orders. The Urdu text of court proceedings requires precise legal translation.
- India: Late registrations vary by state. Some states issue delayed certificates with magistrate endorsements. State-specific formatting must be preserved.
- Philippines: PSA issues late registration certificates with specific annotations. The registration timeline is clearly documented.
- Bangladesh: Late registrations may involve union council endorsements and witness statements.
How We Handle Late Registration Certificates
Our translators understand that late registration certificates require additional care. We translate all supporting documentation, court orders, and annotations accurately. We preserve the complete record so UAE authorities can review the registration history. If additional documents (affidavits, court orders) need separate translation, we provide package pricing.
Dual Citizenship and Multiple Birth Registrations
Many expatriate children in the UAE hold dual citizenship or have their births registered in multiple countries. This creates documentation complexity that requires careful handling:
Children with Two Birth Certificates
If your child's birth was registered in two countries (for example, born in the UAE and registered both with UAE authorities and with your home country's embassy), you may have two birth certificates. For UAE purposes, you typically need to choose one primary document. Generally, use the certificate that matches the child's passport for visa applications.
Consular Birth Registrations
Many countries allow parents to register births with their embassy or consulate abroad. A child born in the UAE to Indian parents, for example, can be registered with the Indian Embassy in UAE, producing an Indian birth certificate. These consular certificates are treated as foreign documents for attestation purposes (issued by Indian government, requiring MEA apostille for UAE use).
Some parents have both: a UAE birth certificate (for initial residency documentation) and a consular birth certificate (for passport applications). We can translate either or both, depending on your requirements.
Name Variations Across Documents
Dual registration sometimes creates name variations. The UAE birth certificate may show one transliteration of a name, while the home country certificate shows another. If these documents are both needed for UAE processes, name consistency must be addressed. We advise on embassy confirmation letters or statutory declarations to bridge these variations.
Citizenship by Descent Considerations
Parents seeking to obtain citizenship by descent for their UAE-born child (for example, UK citizenship through a British parent) may need translated UAE birth certificates for embassy submissions. We provide English translations of UAE Arabic birth certificates formatted for embassy requirements.
How Birth Certificate Translation Works in the UAE
The UAE requires Arabic translation of all foreign documents submitted to government entities. Birth certificates are no exception. The process depends on where your certificate was issued:
For Hague Convention Countries (India, UK, USA, Philippines, Canada)
If your birth certificate is from a Hague member country, the process is simpler. You need an apostille from your home country, then Arabic translation in Dubai. India joined the Hague Convention in July 2005. Canada joined in January 2024. The Philippines joined in 2019. For these countries, apostille replaces the full embassy attestation chain.
For Non-Hague Countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh pre-March 2025)
Documents from non-Hague countries need full attestation. This means: authentication from issuing authority, attestation from your Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE Embassy attestation in your country, and finally MOFA attestation in UAE. Only then can we translate for official use.
Important: Bangladesh joined the Hague Convention in March 2025. Check if your document was issued before or after this date.
Attestation Requirements by Source Country
The attestation chain varies by country. Understanding your specific requirements prevents delays:
Detailed Country Requirements
- India: MEA apostille (available in Delhi and regional offices), processing time 2-5 days. Sub-divisional magistrate attestation may be required before apostille for some states.
- Pakistan: MOFA Pakistan → UAE Embassy Pakistan → MOFA UAE. Full chain takes 7-14 days. NADRA-issued certificates require specific routing.
- Philippines: DFA apostille (Manila or regional consular offices), PSA certificates must be authenticated before apostille. Processing 3-7 days.
- UK: FCO Legalisation Office apostille, processing 2-5 days. Notarized copies may need solicitor certification first.
- USA: Secretary of State apostille from the state of issue (not federal). Each state has different processing times (1-10 days). County clerk certification usually required first.
- Canada: Provincial apostille (varies by province) or federal GAC apostille. Canada joined Hague January 2024, so pre-2024 attestations followed embassy route.
- Bangladesh: Joined Hague March 2025. Pre-March 2025 certificates need full attestation chain. Post-March 2025 can use apostille through Ministry.
UAE Authority Requirements
Different UAE entities have specific requirements for birth certificate translations:
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
We see the same problems repeatedly. Understanding these patterns helps you avoid delays:
Name Spelling Variations
The most frequent cause of rejection. GDRFA's system performs character-by-character matching:
- "Fatima" vs "Fathima" vs "Fatimah": Common Arabic name transliteration variations
- "Mohammad" vs "Mohammed" vs "Muhammad": Multiple accepted spellings in different countries
- Middle names present or absent: Some certificates include, others omit
- Father's name format: First name only vs full name vs patronymic
- Mother's maiden name vs married name: Different countries have different conventions
Solution: We verify all names against passports before translation. If discrepancies exist, we advise on embassy letters, statutory declarations, or official name corrections.
Missing Attestation
Submitting translation without proper attestation chain results in immediate rejection.
Solution: Our pre-validation review confirms attestation status before accepting documents. We identify missing stamps and advise on completing the chain.
Date Format Confusion
DD/MM/YYYY vs MM/DD/YYYY causes ambiguity when day is 12 or less. A birth date of "03/04/2020" could be March 4 or April 3.
Solution: We clarify date formats in translation using month names when ambiguity exists, ensuring UAE authorities understand the correct date.
Document Incompleteness
Short-form extracts may lack information UAE authorities require (hospital name, registration number, parent details).
Solution: We identify information gaps during pre-validation and advise whether you need to obtain a long-form certificate.
Illegible Documents
Faded stamps, poor scan quality, or damaged documents prevent accurate translation.
Solution: Request certified copies if originals are damaged. We assess document quality during review.
Document Validity and Timing Considerations
While birth certificates do not expire, practical timing considerations apply:
- Attestation freshness: Some entities prefer documents attested within 1-2 years, though strict expiry is rare
- Translation currency: Translations completed recently are preferred, especially for visa applications
- School enrollment: Apply for translation before school admission deadlines—last-minute requests during enrollment season face higher demand
- Visa application windows: GDRFA applications have processing timeframes—ensure documentation is ready before initiating
School Enrollment Requirements (KHDA)
Planning to enroll your child in a Dubai school? KHDA-regulated schools require certified birth certificate translation. The requirements vary slightly:
- Private schools: MOJ-certified translation usually sufficient
- Government schools: May require attested original plus translation
- School transfers within UAE: Previous school records plus birth certificate translation
Most schools accept our translations immediately. If a school has specific formatting requirements, let us know and we can adjust the layout.
Emirates ID and Health Insurance
Beyond visas and schools, you need birth certificate translation for:
- Emirates ID application: ICA requires proof of family relationship
- Adding dependents to health insurance: Insurance companies need relationship documentation
- Bank accounts: Opening savings accounts for minors requires parent-child relationship proof
- Passport renewals: Some embassies require translated birth certificates
What We Actually Check Before Translation
Before we start translation, we verify:
- Document legibility: Can we read all names, dates, and stamps clearly?
- Attestation status: Does your document have the required stamps for UAE use?
- Name consistency: Do child and parent names match passport spellings?
- Document completeness: Is this the full certificate or just an extract?
If we spot issues, we tell you before you pay. This pre-validation is free and saves rejected applications.
Realistic Timeline Expectations
Standard birth certificate translation takes 2-4 hours once we receive a clear scan. For express service, we deliver within 60 minutes. The physical stamped copy can be collected same-day in Dubai or couriered to other Emirates next business day.
What takes longer: getting attestation if you do not have it. Embassy attestation can take 3-7 working days depending on your country. Plan accordingly if you have a visa deadline.
About UAE-Born Children
If your child was born in UAE, the birth certificate is already in Arabic. You may need English translation for embassy passport applications or international school enrollment. We provide English translations of UAE birth certificates for these purposes.
Family Package Pricing
Sponsoring multiple children? We offer package pricing for families translating several birth certificates together. Combined with marriage certificate translation, the per-document cost reduces significantly. Contact us with your complete document list for family package pricing.
Verified & Trusted
Frequently Asked Questions
What birth certificate formats do you translate?
We translate birth certificates from any country in any language. Short-form (computerized extract), long-form (full registration details), hospital birth records, and delayed registration certificates. Each format is handled according to its specific structure.
Why does my child birth certificate need translation?
Birth certificates are required for dependent visa applications, school enrollment (KHDA requires certified translation for UAE schools), and establishing legal relationship for inheritance and guardianship matters. The Arabic translation becomes part of your child official UAE records.
Does the birth certificate need attestation?
For dependent visa applications, foreign birth certificates typically need attestation before translation. The chain includes home country authentication, UAE Embassy attestation, and MOFA. For some school enrollments, attested translation may not be required—we advise based on your specific need.
How do you handle parent names?
Parent names must match passport spellings exactly. We verify names against provided passport copies when available. This is critical for visa applications where immigration systems match names strictly.
Can you translate birth certificates for UAE-born children?
UAE birth certificates are issued in Arabic, so translation into English may be needed for international use. We provide English translations of UAE birth certificates for embassy submissions, foreign school applications, or international travel requirements.
What about delayed registration birth certificates?
Some countries issue delayed registration certificates when births are registered after the normal period. These have different formats and may include court orders. We handle these documents understanding their specific legal context.
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