Egyptian civil records are held by the civil registry in Egypt, and the version that matters is the computerised extract rather than the original handwritten certificate parents receive at birth. Missions abroad help with registration and legalisation, but the record itself lives in Egypt.
Quick facts
Egyptian offices, and foreign authorities dealing with Egyptian documents, generally want the computerised version. Turning up with the original green certificate issued at birth is a common cause of refusal.
Fees breakdown
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First birth certificate in Egypt | Free | Issued to the parents |
| Computerised copy | Small fee in Egypt | The version normally required |
| Registration of a birth abroad | Consular tariff | At the mission |
| Legalisation of a U.S. certificate | Chain fees | No apostille route |
| Arabic translation | Per page | Often required in Egypt |
Registering a child born in the United States is what brings them into the Egyptian system and allows an Egyptian passport and, later, a national identity card.
How to file
- Order the U.S. birth certificate from the state vital records office.
- Put it through the legalisation chain, ending at the Egyptian mission.
- Book the appointment for birth registration.
- Attend with the parents’ Egyptian documents and the marriage certificate.
- Obtain the Egyptian record and, where needed, the computerised extract.
- Apply for the child’s passport once the record exists.
Required documents
- U.S. certificate of the event, legalised.
- Egyptian parent’s passport and identity card.
- Parents’ marriage certificate.
- Egyptian birth certificate of the Egyptian parent.
- Proof of address in the consular district.
- Completed registration forms.
Where to file
At the mission covering your state, which forwards the file to the civil registry in Egypt.
Consulate General of Egypt in Chicago
View details →HoustonConsulate of Egypt in Houston
View details →Los AngelesConsulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Los Angeles
View details →New YorkConsulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in New York
View details →New YorkPermanent Mission of Egypt
View details →WashingtonEmbassy of Egypt
View details →Additional notes
Ask for the computerised extract
It is the version institutions accept. The handwritten original is a keepsake rather than a working document.
Register the marriage
A marriage celebrated in the United States generally needs to be documented in Egypt before a child’s file will proceed smoothly.
Names in Arabic
Transliteration varies between documents. Fixing the Arabic spelling early avoids mismatches for a lifetime.
Keep copies
Every later Egyptian procedure asks for these documents again.