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Updated March 2024

The UAE Family Book holds a prominent legal status and serves as a vital element within the nation’s family registration framework. Functioning as a comprehensive repository of essential family details, this document streamlines various administrative governmental processes and affirms the social status and relations of individual citizens in the country.

Read on as Wego explores everything you need to know regarding the Family Book in the UAE.

Table of Contents

What is the Family Book UAE?

The Family Book, as its name implies, is a comprehensive record containing vital information about the families of UAE citizens. Typically, this document includes details about the family’s head, including their name, nationality, ID number, and information about their spouse(s) and children.

Serving as a recognized form of identification, it plays a pivotal role in various legal and administrative processes, including marriage, inheritance, and accessing government services.

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Family Book UAE requirements

The specific requirements to obtain a Family Book may vary based on the circumstances and the reasons a citizen is applying for one. Here are the different reasons and their corresponding requirements:

Marriage

a personal photo (4.5 x 3.5 cm) of the applicant and the other individual (husband or wife).
the last educational qualification of the husband and wife.
a “To Whom It May Concern” certificate from the employer of the husband and wife
marriage contract.
the passport of the foreign wife or husband.
a copy of the husband and wife’s birth certificates.

Please note that additional documents might be required in the following cases:

if the marriage was outside the state, the contract must be duly certified, and the continuity of the marriage from within the state must be provided
if more than a year has passed since the date of the marriage contract in the country, the continuation of the marriage must be submitted.
in case the husband seeks to include a foreign spouse, she must be present with the husband at the service center.
in the event of non-work, a case declaration must be brought from the Sharia Court.
if the citizen husband or wife is a member of the armed forces, a letter of no objection to marrying a foreign wife or husband is required.

According to a statement of separation for the citizen widow

declaration of a case from the Sharia Court stated that the widow did not marry after the death of the husband.
a “To Whom It May Concern” certificate from the widow’s employer.

Please note that a new Family Book is issued for the widow, provided that the applicant does not have any children registered in the family book of her deceased husband.

Divorce

a personal photo (4.5 x 3.5 cm) of the applicant and the other individual (husband or wife).
a “To Whom It May Concern” certificate from the employer of the divorced man and woman.
divorce Certificate
acknowledgment of a case from the Sharia Court of non-marriage after divorce (for a divorced woman until her Family Book is issued should she opt for it)

Please note that a divorced female citizen is allowed to select the location for issuing her new Family Book, whether in accordance with the Family Book of her former spouse or her father.

According to a registration separation statement for those over 30 years old

scientific qualification.
a “To Whom It May Concern” certificate from the employer.
acknowledgment of a case from the Sharia Court. Please note that the court’s approval of the case must be less than 3 months old.
a copy of the birth certificate.

How to apply for a Family Book UAE?

Depending on your place of residence, you can apply for the Family Book UAE by following the steps given below:

For Dubai

Citizens of Dubai can apply for the Family Book through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website online by following the steps given below:

log in to the smart services system through the UAE Pass or username.
select the option to apply for a Family Book by providing the reason for your application.
complete the application form
pay the application fee.
submit your application.
once your request is processed and your Family Book is ready, you will receive a notification to collect it.

Alternatively, if you prefer to obtain your Family Book through a Customer Happiness Center:

visit your nearest Customer Happiness Center.
obtain an automated turn ticket and wait for your turn.
apply with all the necessary documents and meet the conditions for obtaining a new Family Book.
pay the applicable service fee.

For Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah

Citizens of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah can apply for the UAE Family Book through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) website by following the steps given below:

register with ICP or sign in with the UAE Pass
choose the Family Book service and the reason
submit the application and pay the fees
you will receive a notification of the issuance of the electronic Family Book

How to modify the data in a Family Book UAE?

You can now easily modify your family book data through the Smart Services website or the UAEICP Smart App⁣⁣.

create a new account or log in if you already have one on Smart Services.
select the Family Book services and choose the necessary amendments.
complete the application form and proceed to pay the applicable fees.
you’ll receive a notification once the updates are reflected in your family book.

Ensure that all information provided is accurate and valid to prevent any delays in processing your application. For instance, when applying for renewal or replacement, double-check the ID number, expiry date, and other vital details such as phone number, email address, and preferred delivery method to ensure they are entered correctly.