Learning how to get a family certificate in the UAE is easier than most people expect, but it helps to know exactly what the term means before you start. For UAE nationals, a family certificate is an official extract from the family registry (the Family Book, or Khulasat Al Qaid) that lists the members of your household. It is issued through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), and it can be requested online, through the ICP app, or in person at a service centre.
Expatriates do not have family books, but they can still prove family relationships using attested marriage and birth certificates, which is what most government offices ask for when they say “family proof.” This guide explains both situations: how UAE nationals can obtain an official family certificate, and what expats need to show instead.
Quick Answer
A UAE national (or their authorised representative) can request a family certificate from ICP using a UAE Pass account, the family number (raqm al-qaid), and a valid Emirates ID. The service is available on the ICP website, the ICP smartphone app, through TAMM in Abu Dhabi, and at ICP customer service centres. Certificates are usually printed the same day when you apply in person. Expats instead use attested marriage and birth certificates as family proof.
What Exactly Is a Family Certificate?
A family certificate is a certified extract from the UAE’s family registry. It confirms who is registered as part of a family under one family book number: the head of the family, the spouse, and children. It is sometimes called a family registry extract or a family record certificate, and it carries the seal and reference numbers of the issuing authority.
The certificate exists mainly for UAE citizens, because only citizens hold family books. Government offices accept it as proof of family relationships for things like school registration, inheritance matters, and social services. In recent years, ICP has also rolled out a digital “Family Data” service that lets Emiratis access and share their family registry information electronically instead of relying on paper copies.
Who Can Request a Family Certificate
Not everyone can walk in and ask for a family certificate. The rules are fairly strict, since the document contains personal information about an entire household:
- The head of the family — the UAE national in whose name the family book is registered — can request it directly.
- An authorised representative can apply with a valid power of attorney that specifically covers requesting family documents from ICP.
- An adult family member registered in the same family book can usually request a copy for themselves through their own ICP account.
- A non-Emirati spouse generally cannot request the certificate independently. If the citizen spouse is unavailable, the non-citizen spouse will normally need a power of attorney or, in disputed cases, a court order.
If someone is applying on your behalf, it is worth reading the UAE power of attorney guide first so the document covers exactly what the authorised person is allowed to do.
Documents You Will Need
The application is short, and the documents are usually ones you already carry:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Emirates ID of the requester | Valid and active; it is the main identity check at every step |
| Family number (raqm al-qaid) | The number of the family book the certificate is drawn from |
| UAE Pass account | Required for the online and app channels |
| Power of attorney (if applicable) | Only when an authorised representative applies |
| Supporting papers (if applicable) | New marriage or birth entries may need their own certificates first |
Before applying, make sure every family member who should appear on the certificate is actually registered in the family book. A new spouse or newborn who was never added will not show up, and the fix for that is a separate update request, not a new certificate.
How to Get a Family Certificate: The Step-by-Step Process
There are three main channels. The steps are similar whichever one you pick.
Option 1: ICP Website or Smart App
- Log in with your UAE Pass account (the national digital identity used across government services).
- Go to the services section and look for the family book / family data service.
- Enter the family number and confirm your Emirates ID details.
- Choose whether you want a digital copy, a printed copy, or both.
- Pay any service fee shown on the payment screen.
- Download the digital certificate or collect the printed one from the centre you selected.
This is the fastest route for a straightforward request, and it is the same route covered in more detail in our guide on how to request a family certificate online.
Option 2: TAMM (Abu Dhabi Residents)
If you live in Abu Dhabi, the TAMM platform offers family book and citizenship-related services, including issuing a family book for married citizens. Log in with UAE Pass, find the relevant service under individual/citizenship services, complete the form, and follow the on-screen instructions through payment and delivery.
Option 3: In Person at an ICP Service Centre
- Visit the nearest ICP customer service centre with your Emirates ID and family number.
- Take a token for family registry services and tell the officer what you need.
- Confirm the details shown on the officer’s screen before anything is printed.
- Pay the fee and receive the certificate — typically printed the same day.
After applying through any channel, keep the reference or transaction number. You can use it to check your certificate application status online instead of visiting the centre again.
Family Certificates for Newborns
Newborns of Emirati parents are added to the family book through the Mabrouk Ma Yak integrated service, which bundles the birth certificate, Emirates ID, passport, and the family book entry into one process. The father applies (usually within three months of the birth) with a verified UAE Pass account, valid Emirates IDs of both parents, and the family book.
Once the newborn is registered, their name appears on any family certificate requested afterwards. If you have recently had a baby and the name is missing from your certificate, the entry was probably not completed yet — check with the hospital or ICP before reapplying.
Fees and Processing Time
Fees for family registry services are set by the issuing authority and can vary by emirate and channel, so treat any number you see quoted online with caution and check the official portal at the time of application. In practice, the charge is typically a modest service fee rather than a large amount.
Processing is usually quick. In-person applications are often completed the same day, while online requests are typically processed within a few working days. A certificate’s validity and expiry rules matter here too: some offices want a recently issued copy, so ask the requesting office how fresh the certificate needs to be before you apply.
Common Problems to Avoid
- Wrong channel: expats searching for “family book” services will hit a wall — those services are for citizens only. Expats should use attested marriage and birth certificates instead (see the UAE document attestation process).
- Outdated family data: a new marriage, divorce, or birth that was never registered will not appear on the certificate. Update the family book first.
- Missing family number: have the raqm al-qaid ready before you start the online form; it is the key search field.
- Applying abroad: if you are outside the country, authorise someone in the UAE with a power of attorney rather than letting the request sit.
- Expecting instant digital delivery everywhere: the digital Family Data service is available to Emiratis on ICP’s website and app, but some older paper-era records still need a centre visit to resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can expats get a UAE family certificate?
Expats do not have UAE family books, so they cannot obtain a family registry certificate in the citizen sense. Instead, expats prove family relationships with attested marriage and birth certificates from their home country, which is exactly what offices ask for in family visa sponsorship cases — see our UAE family visa sponsorship guide.
Is the digital Family Data service the same as the family book?
It serves the same purpose. ICP introduced Family Data as a digital alternative to the paper family book, so Emiratis can access and share their family registry information electronically. The conditions for extracting or amending information follow the same rules as the family book.
What should I do if details on my family certificate are wrong?
Do not just request a new copy — the new copy will show the same wrong data. You need to file an amendment request with ICP first (for example, to correct a name or add a missing member), then request the certificate once the record is fixed.
How long does it take to receive the certificate?
In person, it is usually issued the same day. Online applications typically take a few working days, depending on verification. If the record needs corrections first, expect longer.
Can I use the family certificate outside the UAE?
Usually, yes, but foreign authorities often want the certificate translated and attested. Check with the receiving office about whether they need an Arabic original, a legal translation, or full embassy attestation before you travel.
Do I need a fresh certificate every time I use it?
It depends on the receiving office. Banks, courts, and schools often ask for a certificate issued within the last three to six months. Keep one copy handy and re-request when an office asks for a recent one.
The Bottom Line
How to get a family certificate comes down to one simple choice of channel: ICP’s website or app with your UAE Pass, TAMM if you are in Abu Dhabi, or an ICP service centre if you prefer doing it in person. Have your Emirates ID and family number ready, make sure the family registry data is up to date before you apply, and keep your application reference so you can track it. Expats, meanwhile, should focus on getting their marriage and birth certificates attested, since that is what counts as family proof for residents.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 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.