Registering a birth in Qatar

Have you had to or are you going to register a birth in Qatar? What was the experience like?
If you give birth at Hamad Hospital, then the issuance of the Birth Certificate is automatic. Otherwise, the hospital will give you a form that you will take to the birth certification department and they will issue the birth certificate. You can make as many copies as you wish, just need to pay for them.

Who is required to register the birth, and where? Can it be either the mother or father?
Either can do this, and if in Hamad then it is no problem.

What documents are usually required in Qatar?
The Hospital will give you the required documents, if the birth is outside of Hamad.

How long does the process to register a birth take? Are there any time limits in which the registration must be completed?
The registration if efficient it is done on the spot. I am not sure of any limit, but you need the birth certificate to obtain an ID for the baby, and this must be done within 1 month after birth.

Did you register the birth with your home country and how did that process compare? Will your child be able to have dual nationality?
A baby born in Qatar DOES NOT get the Qatari citizenship. So the birth needs to be registered with your embassy, in order to get a passport. See with your embassy on the formality for obtaining a passport if born outside of the country.

Hope this helps

Excuse me why you ask me that ?

Firstly expats will have to register the birth of their baby in their respective embassy and also at the Women’s Hospital, which is next to Hamad General Hospital on Al Rayyan Road.

Once the baby is born, two letters should be obtained from the hospital along with the vaccination card.

You will have to bring these letters, a copy of the vaccination card, parents’ passports, copies of the residence permits and the marriage certificate to the Women’s Hospital.

Complete the paperwork and pay the required fee. Generally, the birth certificate will be issued on the same day.

Also a fee of QR20 will be charged for a birth certificate.

P.S. You need to attest the Birth Certificate from the MOFA to proceed for passport.

Birth Registration Procedure in Qatar:
1. Post birth, after completing the hospital formalities, payment etc, the first step is to get the birth certificate from Supreme Council of Health. For that to be done, fill up the form given at Hamad Women's Hospital (or get one at the birth registration office on the ground floor, close to the entrance)
2. Make sure the SPELLING of the baby name (and also the order i.e first name, last name etc.) is filled correctly, because the same will appear in the passport later. If you make a mistake here, getting it corrected is a pretty long process!
3. Enclose the copies of the passports, Qatar IDs of both the parents, a copy of marriage certificate and submit the form.
4. Mention how many copies you will need, if you want more. One or two copies are generally sufficient.
5. You will get the Birth Certificate within 2 - 3 days max.

You're done! The first step is over.

6. Now, use this certificate register the birth at the embassy of your specific country, by filling in relevant forms. Your embassy may also issue you a birth registration certificate.
7. You can also apply for a passport for your baby at the embassy. The procedures may vary from one embassy to another.

Note:
Even though it's not a must, I suggest you to get the original birth certificate (issued by Supreme Council of Health) attested by your respective embassy first and then by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This will come handy and may save time/effort in future, if you plan to immigrate elsewhere.

Hope this helps..