Kuwait: Expat Newborn Registration Full Guide

If you’re about to become a parent or have recently delivered in Kuwait, this blog is for you.
My children were born at Sabah Hospital, so the process I describe may slightly differ from your experience.

Important: Newborn registration must be completed within 60 days of birth. This includes:

• Name registration

• Issuing of the birth certificate

• Issuing of the passport

• Residency process

• Issuing of the civil ID card

The total cost will come to around: 260 KWD to 350 KWD depending on the birth.

Step 1: Discharge from Hospital

• The nursing team will inform you about the discharge day, either in the morning or the day before. Discharge may happen the same day or the next.

• If the discharge team confirms that the mother and baby can leave on that day:

  • The husband must be present before 2 PM to complete the process.

  • The admin team works only until 2 PM. After that, discharge is postponed to the next day with an extra fee of 10 KD.

• On discharge day:

  • Papers will be signed by the authorities.

  • You’ll be asked to settle the discharge fee:

    • Normal delivery: 100 KD

    • C-section: 150 KD

    • Each extra day in the hospital adds 10 KD.
      Example: If your wife stayed 2 days after a normal delivery, the total cost would be 120 KD, including medications.

• Once payment is made and paperwork is signed, both mother and baby are discharged.

• Important: Collect the pink paper (usually within 2 days). They may call you when it’s ready.

• Keep the discharge paper safe as it includes key details like the baby’s blood group, which will be needed later.

Step 2: Name Registration & Birth Certificate

• Go to the hospital reception to:

  • Collect the pink paper

  • Get the Name Registration Form (must be typed with your chosen name)

• Submit the form to the Birth Certificate Section in the hospital.

• They’ll ask you to return after 48 hours (or more).

• Visit before 1 PM on the given day to collect the Birth Certificate (BC).

• Double-check the spelling of the baby’s name.
  The BC also includes parents’ names and Civil ID numbers. (Note: Residency and actual Civil ID come later.)

Step 3: Birth Certificate Attestation

• Ask the Birth Certificate staff where to get the attestation done.

• I went to the Maidan Hawally Birth & Death Registration Office.

• Ask around there — they’ll guide you through the stamping process.

Step 4: Issuing the Passport

• Contact your embassy for the newborn passport procedure.

• Some embassies may require a translated birth certificate.

• Submit the application along with all requested documents.

• Pay the applicable fees.

• If you are Indian:

  • The husband’s passport must mention the wife’s name, or

  • The wife’s passport must mention the husband’s name on the last page.

Step 5: Residency (Jawazat Immigration Office)

• Get the residency application typed (you can do this the same day or in advance at any typing center near Jawazat).

• Bring the required documents:

  • Parents’ passport copies

  • Marriage certificate

  • Baby’s birth certificate, etc.

  • Discharge papers since it has child’s blood group details

• Submit everything at the reception and follow instructions from the Jawazat staff.

• Fees:

  • ±100 KD for residency (Approximately, keep extra with you)

  • ±30 KD for health insurance (Approximately)

• Once residency is approved, pay for the civil ID card.

Step 6: Collect Civil ID

• Monitor your Sahel App for the notification to collect your baby’s Civil ID.

• The newborn’s ID card will not include a photo, which is standard for children under 5.

Total Estimated Cost (Based on Normal Delivery example):

Item Amount (KD)Hospital charges (example: Normal + 2 days)120 or moreResidency100 or more Health insurance30Civil ID5Total255 KD (Keep up to 350 ready)

All the best!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out on Instagram.