How to attest a Birth Certificate in Qatar

birth certificate attestation

Attest a birth certificate In Qatar is required at some point of time if you are born in or have a child who was born in this country.

A birth certificate is a fundamental document that legalizes the birth of a child which includes essential pieces of information about the child such as the name, place of birth, date of birth, sex, and the identity of the parents. To attest a birth certificate means verifying the authenticity of the document by various government departments to confirm that it’s real. This is an essential step to make your birth certificate legally valid so that you can use it for various purposes like getting a passport, getting a family visa, getting admission for your kids in a foreign country, higher education purposes, etc

The procedure for to attest a birth certificate in Qatar involves multiple steps and the
process of attestation takes several weeks to complete.

Steps involved to attest a birth certificate in Qatar

Obtain a copy of the original certificate

To begin the process to attest a birth certificate in Qatar you need to obtain a copy of the original certificate. This can be done by requesting a copy from the Ministry of Public Health or the hospital where you were born. If you’re attesting your child’s birth certificate, you can get a copy from the hospital where they were born.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that the birth certificate must be either an original or a certified copy, and it should be in good condition. If the certificate is damaged, torn, or difficult to read, it might not be accepted for attestation.

Notarize the certificate by a Notary public

The next step is to notarize the certificate by a notary public. A notary public is a government official who is authorized to confirm the authenticity of legal documents. You can locate a notary public in Qatar at the Ministry of Justice or a law firm. If you need to notarize a birth certificate in Qatar, there are a few important documents that you’ll need to have on hand. First and foremost, you’ll need the original or certified copy of the birth certificate, a valid Qatari ID, or a passport. Depending on the notary public or law firm you choose to work with, you may also need to provide additional documents or information.

The notary will verify the birth certificates and stamp them with their official seal. They’ll also give you a notarized letter confirming that the birth certificate is genuine. The next step to attest a birth certificate in Qatar is given below

MOFA Attestation

Then the notarized certificate needs to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Qatar. This department is responsible for verifying the authenticity of legal documents in Qatar. You need to submit the notarized birth certificate along with a copy of your Qatar ID to the MOFA office in Doha. MOFA charges a fee of QR 100 per document now (the fee changes from time to time ). After confirming the credibility of the documents, They will attach their official stamp and signature to the certificate. MOFA attestation confirms that your birth certificate is a valid and genuine document and it can now be used for various official purposes.

Embassy Attestation

If you plan to use your birth certificate outside of Qatar, the final step is to have it attested at the embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to use it. This step is important to ensure that your birth certificate is legally recognized and accepted in the country of your choice.

For example, if you’re planning to use your birth certificate in the United States, you’ll need to provide the original birth certificate, a copy of your passport, and the MOFA attestation to the US embassy in Qatar and get it attested. The embassy or consulate will then verify the MOFA attestation and attach their official stamp and signature to the certificate. This attestation makes the birth certificate acceptable for use in the country where it is being attested. Embassy attestation is important for those individuals who wish to use their birth certificate outside of Qatar such as for Educational and employment purposes.

It is important to note that the requirements and procedures for embassy attestation can vary depending on the country where the certificate is being used, and it is advisable to consult with the relevant embassy or consulate for specific instructions.

Translation and attestation of translation ( if applicable):

If your birth certificate is not in English, then you will need to translate it into English
by a certified translator.

Steps to attest the translation of birth certificate

To attest the translation of a birth certificate the following steps may be taken:

● Obtain a certified translation of the birth certificate from a reputable translation service provider. The cost of translating a birth certificate can vary depending on several factors, such as the length of the document, the complexity of the content, and the turnaround time required.
● Get the translation notarized by a Qatari notary public.
● Take the notarized translation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authentication.
● Finally, take the authenticated translation to the embassy or consulate of the country where the certificate will be used for final attestation.

Why English translation of the birth certificate is important? How will it is useful

Translating your birth certificate into English is important because it makes it easier to use in various situations, like applying for visas or education opportunities in other countries. It also helps ensure that your certificate is recognized and accepted by foreign governments or organizations. Having an English translation can also make communication easier in situations where the person reviewing the document does not speak the language of the original certificate.