Losing a medical report — or never receiving one in the first place — is more common than you might think. Maybe the original went missing during a house move, your insurer is asking for a copy years after the treatment, or a doctor abroad wants the full report before your appointment. Whatever the reason, if you need to know how to get a duplicate medical report in the UAE, the process is a well-worn one: hospitals and health authorities reissue reports every day, and in many cases you can get one without setting foot in the building. Here is how it works, what it costs, and what to bring.
Quick Answer
To get a duplicate medical report in the UAE, contact the medical records department of the hospital or clinic where you were treated — by phone, through their patient portal, or in person — and request a reprint of the report. Bring or provide your Emirates ID; parents can request for minor children, and anyone else needs your signed authorisation. The duplicate is usually a certified reprint carrying the hospital’s stamp and signature. Routine copies are often free or low-cost, while formal stamped reports typically carry a fee in the low hundreds of dirhams (confirm with the facility). Allow a few working days for preparation, longer for archived or very old records.
What a Duplicate Medical Report Actually Is
A duplicate is not a new medical opinion — it is a reprint of a report that already exists in your file, issued again because the original was lost, damaged, or never collected. In the UAE it generally comes in two forms:
- A plain reprint: a photocopy or fresh printout of the report on file. Fine for your own records or a second medical opinion.
- A certified duplicate: the reprint stamped and signed by the hospital, confirming it is a true copy of the original. This is what insurers, employers, courts and government departments usually ask for.
When you request one, say clearly which version you need — it affects the fee and the processing time. If you only need a digital copy of a recent result rather than a certified reprint, you may be able to simply download the medical report from the hospital’s patient portal instead, which is faster and usually free.
When You Might Need a Duplicate
- An insurance company asks for the original report to process or reimburse a claim.
- You are seeking a second opinion or continuing treatment with a different doctor.
- The original was lost, damaged, or never handed to you at discharge.
- An employer, school, or government department requests your medical history.
- You need the report for use outside the UAE and it must be attested.
If the underlying information in the report is wrong — not just missing — that is a different process: you will need to ask the hospital to amend the record itself, which involves its own request and verification steps.
Who Can Request a Duplicate
UAE hospitals follow strict rules about who may receive a patient’s records:
- The patient themselves, with Emirates ID (or passport for visitors).
- Parents or legal guardians requesting for a minor child, with proof of relationship.
- An authorised representative carrying the patient’s signed authorisation letter plus copies of both parties’ Emirates IDs. Some hospitals have their own consent form, which is preferable to a handwritten letter.
- Legal heirs requesting a deceased patient’s records, with legal documentation such as a succession certificate — hospitals handle these case by case.
These controls exist to protect patient confidentiality. Our explainer on medical record privacy covers your rights in more detail.
How to Get a Duplicate Medical Report: Three Routes
1. Through the Hospital’s Patient Portal or App
Many UAE hospitals now accept medical report requests online. Log in to the hospital’s patient portal or app, look for a “Request Medical Report” or “Medical Records” service, select the visit or report you need, and submit. You will usually be asked to upload your Emirates ID and state the purpose of the request. The hospital then prepares the report and notifies you when it is ready for collection or sends a certified digital copy. This is the same channel you would use to request a medical record more generally.
2. By Phone or Email
Call the hospital’s main number and ask for the medical records (or “medical reports”) department. They will tell you the exact requirements — some hospitals accept email requests with scanned IDs, others insist on an in-person visit for certified copies. Keep the reference or request number they give you; you will need it for follow-ups.
3. In Person at the Medical Records Counter
The traditional route still works everywhere. Go to the hospital’s medical records or patient affairs counter with your Emirates ID, fill in the request form, and pay any applicable fee. This is the best option when you need the report urgently, when the record is old, or when your identity needs verifying on the spot.
Documents to Prepare
Requirements vary slightly between facilities, but you will almost always need:
- Your Emirates ID (original for in-person requests, copy for online ones).
- The approximate date of treatment and the doctor’s or department’s name, if you remember them.
- Your medical record number (MRN), if you have it — it speeds up the search.
- For representatives: a signed authorisation letter or the hospital’s consent form, plus IDs of both parties.
- For a child’s records: the child’s Emirates ID or birth certificate plus the parent’s ID.
Fees and Timelines
There is no single national fee for duplicate medical reports in the UAE — each hospital sets its own charges, so always confirm before you apply. As a rough guide:
- Simple reprints of recent reports are often free or carry a nominal charge.
- Certified or stamped duplicates commonly cost in the low hundreds of dirhams per report, with detailed or multi-page reports sometimes costing more.
- Archived records (several years old) may attract a retrieval fee on top.
On timing, recent records can often be reissued within 1–3 working days; older or archived files take longer because they must be retrieved and verified. If you are on a deadline — an insurance submission or a flight for treatment abroad — say so when you apply; hospitals can sometimes prioritise urgent requests.
Using the Duplicate Abroad: Attestation
If the duplicate report will be used outside the UAE — for treatment abroad, an insurance claim in your home country, or a legal matter — the receiving party may require it to be attested. The usual chain is: hospital stamp, then attestation by the relevant health authority or the Ministry of Health and Prevention, then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the embassy of the destination country. Each step carries its own fee and timeline, so start early. For reports issued in Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority is the relevant health authority in the chain.
Duplicate vs Related Documents: Don’t Mix Them Up
| You need… | What to request |
|---|---|
| Another copy of an existing report | Duplicate medical report (this guide) |
| A report that was never written | Request a medical report from the treating doctor |
| A fitness-for-work or sick-leave note | Request a sick leave certificate from the treating doctor |
| Proof the report is genuine | Verify a medical report |
| Your details corrected on file | Ask the hospital to update your personal information on the record |
Requesting the right document the first time saves you a second trip and a second fee.
Keeping Track So You Don’t Need Another Duplicate
Once you have the duplicate in hand, file it properly so history doesn’t repeat itself. Scan it, store the PDF in a backed-up folder with a clear name, and keep the paper copy with your other health documents. Our guide on keeping digital medical records lays out a simple filing system. And if the report relates to an insurance claim, understanding your UAE health insurance plan will help you submit it correctly the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to get a duplicate medical report in the UAE?
For recent records, most hospitals reissue a duplicate within 1–3 working days of your request. Older records stored in archives take longer — sometimes a week or more. Online requests through a patient portal are usually processed in the same timeframe as in-person ones.
How much does a duplicate medical report cost?
It depends on the hospital. Simple reprints are often free or nominal; certified stamped duplicates commonly cost in the low hundreds of dirhams per report. Because there is no fixed national fee, confirm the exact amount with the hospital’s medical records department before you apply.
Can I get a duplicate medical report online?
Often, yes. Many UAE hospitals accept report requests through their patient portals and apps — you upload your Emirates ID, select the report, and collect the certified copy when it is ready or receive a digital version. Smaller clinics may still require an in-person visit.
Can my spouse or relative collect the duplicate on my behalf?
Yes, with your written authorisation. They will need a signed authorisation letter (or the hospital’s own consent form) plus copies of both your Emirates ID and theirs. Without authorisation, the hospital will refuse — patient confidentiality rules are strictly enforced.
What if the hospital says it has no record of my treatment?
First, double-check the details: the exact hospital name, approximate dates, and the name you were registered under. Records from many years ago may be archived under a different system. If the facility has closed, contact the emirate’s health authority — in Dubai the Dubai Health Authority — with your Emirates ID and treatment dates, and they can trace where the records were transferred.
Is a duplicate medical report accepted for insurance claims?
A certified duplicate — stamped and signed by the hospital — is generally accepted by insurers in the UAE. A plain photocopy may not be. Ask your insurer which version they require before you pay for certification, and submit it within your policy’s claim deadline.
The Bottom Line
Getting a duplicate medical report in the UAE comes down to three things: contacting the right hospital’s medical records department, proving who you are, and being clear about whether you need a plain reprint or a certified copy. Recent records are usually reissued within a few working days for a modest fee; older ones take longer. File the duplicate properly when it arrives — a simple digital backup today saves you this entire process tomorrow.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.