Registering a Child's Birth in Saudi Arabia: Full Guide

Welcoming a new baby is one of life's biggest moments — and in Saudi Arabia, making sure your child is officially recorded with the authorities is a step you'll want to complete early. The good news is that the whole process is largely digital. Through Absher Individuals, both Saudi citizens and resident expatriates can register a newborn, obtain a birth certificate, and even have the child's Iqama number generated automatically. This guide from Saudi Living walks you through exactly how it works, what documents you need, and how to get the printed certificate in your hands.

Who can use the service and what it does

The newborn registration service is available to both Saudi citizens and resident expatriates. It records the birth in the Ministry of Interior / Civil Affairs records and produces an official birth certificate. For citizens, the service can also issue or update the Family Record alongside the birth certificate. For residents, it issues the birth certificate only, while an Iqama number for the child is generated automatically.

The most important prerequisite: the hospital birth notification

Before you can register anything online, you need the birth notification (birth report) from the hospital where your baby was born. In most cases the hospital transmits the birth data electronically to the Ministry of Health, and you use the notification reference during registration. Make sure you collect this notification and keep its reference number safe before starting the Absher process.

Documents you'll typically need

Have these ready before you log in, so the process goes smoothly:

• The father's and mother's civil ID / Iqama numbers.
• The father's and mother's passports (for expatriates).
• The marriage certificate — translated and attested if required for expatriate parents.
• The hospital birth notification and its reference number.

Requirements can vary slightly by case, so it's always wise to confirm the exact list on the official Absher portal before you begin.

How to register your newborn on Absher — step by step

The core process is done entirely online through Absher Individuals:

• Log in to your Absher Individuals account.
• Go to My Services → Civil Affairs and choose the newborn registration / birth certificate service.
• Select the newborn or enter the newborn's data: name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, and nationality.
• Review all the details carefully and confirm.
• The system registers the newborn and issues the electronic birth certificate. An Iqama number for the child is generated automatically, and an SMS notification is sent to the registered mobile number.

Take a moment to double-check the spelling of the name and all data before confirming, since correcting records later can be more time-consuming.

Getting the printed certificate: home delivery or Civil Affairs visit

Once registration is complete, you have two ways to obtain the printed birth certificate.

• Home delivery via your national address: Choose the registered address in Absher, review the delivery fee details, pay online, and you'll receive a reference number to track the shipment. As of 2025–2026, postal delivery fees for civil documents are typically around SAR 20–30 but the exact current fee will be shown at the payment step in Absher.
• Visit a Civil Affairs branch: If you prefer not to use postal delivery, you can book an appointment through Absher's Appointments section. Choose Ministry of Civil Affairs → Record Birth Event, select your region and branch, confirm the appointment, and bring your required documents to collect the printed certificate on the spot.

Digital birth certificate

Alongside the printed copy, the electronic birth certificate issued through Absher is a valid digital document. For many purposes, the digital certificate available in your Absher account is sufficient, which means you may not always need to wait for a printed copy or visit a branch. Keep it accessible in your account for whenever you need it.

Practical tips before you start

• Register the birth as early as possible after receiving the hospital notification to avoid any delays with the child's residency status.
• Ensure your Absher mobile number is up to date so you receive the confirmation SMS and Iqama details.
• Keep both digital and physical copies of the birth certificate and the marriage certificate for future school, travel, and government paperwork.
• If any figure, fee, or requirement is unclear, confirm it directly on the official Absher portal — details can be updated over time.

With everything handled through Absher, registering your child's birth in Saudi Arabia is one of the more straightforward official tasks new parents face — and completing it early sets your little one up with the records they'll need from day one.

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