Asan Tata— October 9, 2026The vehicle registration card — the mulkiya, as everyone in the UAE calls it — is the one document that proves your car is legally registered. When it goes missing, gets torn, or becomes unreadable, you need a replacement. This guide explains How to Request a Replacement Registration Document in the UAE: who is eligible, what documents you need, how to apply in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the northern emirates, and how long it takes and what it costs.
The process is straightforward, but one detail trips people up: unlike a simple renewal, a replacement application can be blocked by unpaid traffic fines. We will cover that, plus the difference between a lost, stolen, and damaged registration card, because each scenario has a slightly different first step.
Quick Answer
If your vehicle registration card (mulkiya) is lost, stolen, or damaged, request a replacement through your emirate’s licensing authority. In Dubai, use the RTA website or app: choose the registration card replacement service under your vehicle, pay the fee (typically around AED 70-100 plus any applicable service charges), and receive the new card by delivery or collect it from an RTA service machine. In Abu Dhabi, apply through TAMM or Abu Dhabi Police licensing; in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, apply through the MOI website or app. Clear any outstanding traffic fines first, as they can block the transaction. If the card was stolen, file a police report before applying.
What Is the Registration Document?
The registration document is the official card issued when your vehicle is registered — or re-issued each time you renew your registration. It carries the vehicle details: plate number and code, chassis and engine numbers, the owner’s name, the expiry date, and the insurance details. Traffic police may ask for it during inspections, it is needed at vehicle testing centres, and insurers ask for it when you renew or claim on a policy.
If you are not sure which paperwork belongs where in your glovebox, read our overview of the important car documents every owner should keep. Knowing the full set also helps you replace the right document instead of the wrong one.
When Do You Need a Replacement?
Three situations call for a replacement registration document:
- Lost card: the most common case. The card slipped out of the glovebox or went missing after a valet, a garage visit, or a house move.
- Damaged card: the card is torn, water-damaged, faded beyond readability, or otherwise unusable. You usually do not need a police report for damage — you hand the old card back.
- Stolen card: the card was taken, or disappeared together with the car or personal belongings. Here you should file a police report first, both to protect yourself and to support the replacement application.
A replacement is different from a vehicle registration renewal: a renewal extends the registration period and requires valid insurance and inspection, while a replacement simply re-issues the existing card with the same details and expiry date. If your registration has also expired, handle the renewal first or combine the two where the portal allows it.
Before You Apply: Check These Two Things
Two quick checks will save you from a rejected or stalled application:
- Outstanding fines. Unpaid traffic fines on the vehicle can block licensing transactions in every emirate. Check and clear them first — our UAE traffic fines guide walks through how to check and pay fines online.
- Who owns the vehicle. Only the registered owner (or an authorised representative with a power of attorney or company letter) can request the replacement. If you recently bought the car and the ownership transfer is not complete, the previous owner still shows on the record.
If your registration is close to expiry anyway, it is sometimes simpler to renew the registration — which automatically issues a fresh card — instead of requesting a standalone replacement. See our guide to renewing vehicle registration to decide which route fits.
Documents You Will Need
Keep these ready before you start the application:
- Your Emirates ID (for in-person applications)
- The damaged registration card, if you still have it
- A police report or lost-item certificate, if the card was stolen (recommended if lost under suspicious circumstances too)
- For company-owned vehicles: a company authorisation letter
- A UAE Pass account for online applications
Losing a document once is annoying; losing one repeatedly is a sign the system needs work. Our guide on how to keep vehicle documents organized has practical setups — both physical and digital — that make the next search a lot shorter.
How to Request a Replacement Registration Document in Dubai
Dubai residents apply through the RTA. You can do it entirely online or through the app:
- Log in to the RTA’s official services portal or the RTA Dubai app with your UAE Pass.
- Go to Driver and Car Owner services, then Vehicle Licensing.
- Select your vehicle, open “more actions”, and choose the registration card replacement service.
- Choose whether the card should be delivered to you or collected from an RTA self-service machine.
- Pay the service fee and any outstanding fines by card.
- You will receive a confirmation with a transaction number and a digital copy of the registration details.
Replacement through the RTA is usually processed quickly — in many cases the digital record updates the same day, with physical delivery following within a few working days depending on the option you choose.
Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates
The process is the same in principle; only the portal changes:
- Abu Dhabi: apply through TAMM, the official Abu Dhabi government services portal, or via Abu Dhabi Police’s vehicle licensing services. Sign in with UAE Pass, select the vehicle, and request the replacement.
- Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah: apply through the federal Ministry of Interior (MOI) website or the MOI UAE app, or visit your emirate’s traffic department in person.
When in doubt about which authority covers your situation, the official UAE government portal points to the correct licensing channel for each emirate. Fees vary by emirate, so confirm the current schedule on the relevant portal before paying.
Do You Even Need the Physical Card?
This is worth knowing before you pay for a replacement: in most situations inside the UAE, a digital copy of your registration card is accepted. The UAE’s electronic transactions law gives properly issued digital documents legal effect, and the authorities confirm that digital driving and registration documents from the official apps (MOI UAE, RTA Dubai, TAMM) are valid at checkpoints and traffic stops.
That means if you can pull up your registration in the RTA, MOI, or TAMM app, you are covered for daily driving while the physical replacement is on its way. Read our explainer on digital vehicle documents for exactly where digital copies are accepted and where a physical card may still be needed (some banks, rental companies, and border crossings still prefer paper).
Still, there are reasons to get the physical card replaced: it is often required for insurance renewals, vehicle testing visits go smoother with it, and if your phone dies at the wrong moment, a card in the glovebox is a better fallback. Think of the digital copy as your safety net, not a permanent substitute.
What It Typically Costs and How Long It Takes
As a rough guide at the time of writing, replacement registration cards typically cost in the range of AED 70-100 in most emirates, plus small service charges and delivery fees if you choose courier delivery. Dubai may add a knowledge and innovation fee on larger transactions. Fees change, so verify the current amount on the official portal before you pay.
Timing is usually fast: online applications are often processed the same day, and the physical card typically arrives within two to five working days depending on the emirate and delivery method. Same-day collection from self-service machines is available in Dubai. If your application stalls, it is almost always because of unpaid fines or a name mismatch on the record — check those first.
Lost vs Stolen vs Damaged: What Changes
| Situation | Police report needed? | Hand in the old card? |
|---|---|---|
| Card lost | Not usually required, but useful if lost under suspicious circumstances | No — there is nothing to hand in |
| Card stolen | Yes, file a police report first | No |
| Card damaged | No | Yes, hand in the damaged card |
For a stolen card, the police report protects you: if the card is misused, you have a record that it was reported. For a damaged card, keep it until you collect the replacement, since some counters ask for it back.
If your number plates were damaged or went missing in the same incident (a collision, flooding, or break-in), handle both together — our guide on how to replace a damaged vehicle plate covers that process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to get a replacement registration document?
Online applications are typically processed the same day, and the digital record updates immediately. The physical card usually arrives within two to five working days by delivery, or faster if you collect it from a service machine in Dubai.
Can I drive without my registration card while waiting?
Yes, as long as you can show the digital version in the official app (RTA, MOI UAE, or TAMM) if asked. A screenshot from your photo gallery does not count — it must be the official digital document from the licensing app.
Do unpaid traffic fines block a replacement request?
In most cases, yes. Licensing transactions — including replacements — can be held until fines on the vehicle are cleared. Check your fines before applying to avoid a rejected transaction.
Does a replacement change my registration expiry date?
No. A replacement re-issues the card with the same details and the same expiry date. If your registration has expired or is close to expiring, renew it instead — the renewal issues a fresh card automatically.
What if the vehicle is registered under a company name?
The request must come from an authorised company representative with a company letter (and power of attorney where required). The process and fees are otherwise the same as for individuals.
The Bottom Line
Requesting a replacement registration document in the UAE is a simple transaction: log in to your emirate’s licensing portal, choose the replacement service, pay the fee, and receive the new card by delivery or collection within a few days. File a police report if the card was stolen, hand in the old card if it was damaged, and clear any outstanding fines before you apply. And while you wait, the digital copy in the official app keeps you legally covered for everyday driving.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Asan Tata is a UAE-focused writer at Asantata34, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asantata34 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.
Asan Tata is an independent information platform providing simple, practical guides on UAE visas, banking, insurance, driving licences, and government-related services. Our team researches information from reliable and official sources to make complex topics easier to understand.