Registering a Child's Birth in Saudi Arabia Guide

Oct 23, 2026•4 min read

Welcoming a new baby is a joyful milestone, and in Saudi Arabia the official process of registering that birth has become remarkably simple. Thanks to integrated government systems, most of the registration happens electronically through أبشر, often without a single visit to a Civil Affairs office. This Saudi Living guide walks both Saudi citizens and residents through exactly how it works, the key deadlines to watch, and the documents you can expect to receive.

Who Can Register and What Comes First

Both Saudi citizens and residents can register a newborn electronically. However, the process begins at the hospital, not online. An accredited hospital must first submit the newborn's birth data electronically and complete the delivery report. Until that step is done, you will not be able to proceed with registration.

A recent improvement means that newborn information entered by an accredited hospital can now flow automatically into Ministry of Interior records through integrated government systems, making the whole experience faster and smoother for families.

Step-by-Step: Registering Through أبشر

Once the hospital has submitted the birth data, you can complete the registration yourself using أبشر Individuals. The path is straightforward:

Log in to your أبشر account.
Go to Civil Affairs Services and select Newborn Registration.
Select the newborn from the available records.
Carefully verify the newborn's details.
Confirm the registration.
Choose the registered national address for document delivery.
Review the delivery charges displayed on screen.
Pay the delivery fees to complete the request.

Important Deadlines

Timing matters, and the rules differ slightly between residents and citizens:

Residents: A resident newborn's birth date must be no more than 30 days before registration. Register promptly to stay within this window.
Citizens: A fine applies when registration is completed more than 30 days after the birth, so it's best not to delay.

In addition, any outstanding Civil Affairs fines must be settled before you can complete the registration, and the hospital's delivery report must be fully completed.

Documents You Will Receive

The documents issued depend on your status:

Saudi citizens: receive a birth certificate along with an updated family record.
Residents: receive a birth certificate.

These documents are delivered to the national address registered in your account, so visiting a Civil Affairs office is normally unnecessary.

Fees, Delivery, and Refunds

The registration service fee is not specified in the available official information, so it's best to confirm the current details directly in أبشر when you process the request. What you will clearly see is the delivery fee, which is calculated and displayed within أبشر before you pay.

If your plans change, delivery fees may be refundable within 30 days of the request, provided the birth certificate has not yet been printed. There is no separate expiry period stated for the birth certificate or the family-record update, so once issued, these documents remain valid.

A Note for Resident Families

Registering the birth and obtaining the birth certificate through أبشر is an essential first step, but it does not cover everything. For resident families, this registration does not replace the need to obtain the child's passport, arrange residence documentation, or complete dependent-related requirements. Treat the birth certificate as the foundation on which these further steps are built, and plan them in sequence so your child's records are complete.

Quick Checklist Before You Start

Confirm the hospital has submitted the newborn's birth data and completed the delivery report.
Settle any outstanding Civil Affairs fines.
Make sure your national address is correctly registered in أبشر.
Register within the 30-day window to avoid delays or fines.
Review and pay the delivery fees shown in أبشر.

Because procedures and fees can be updated, always confirm the latest requirements on the official أبشر portal before you begin. With the hospital step completed and your details ready, registering your newborn in Saudi Arabia is often a matter of minutes.

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates: