Losing an Emirates ID is stressful at the best of times, and when it is a child’s card — or yours, with school runs, clinic visits, and bank errands all depending on it — the pressure doubles. The good news is that replacement is a well-worn, mostly online process run by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), and in most cases a new card reaches you within a few working days.
What to do first
As soon as you are sure the card is lost rather than misplaced at home, act on two fronts. First, if you suspect theft, file a report at your nearest Dubai Police station or through the Dubai Police app — you may be asked for the report reference during the replacement application, and it protects you if the card is misused. Second, start the replacement application promptly, because the Emirates ID is the key to almost every service in the UAE: healthcare, banking, school records, mobile phone contracts, and travel through smart gates.
While you wait for the new card, the digital Emirates ID in the UAE ICP app and UAE PASS serves as official identification for most in-person and online services, so make sure your app is set up and logged in. Schools and clinics across Dubai are used to accepting the digital version during a replacement window.
Step-by-step: applying for a replacement
- Open the ICP channel: Apply through the ICP website (icp.gov.ae), the UAE ICP smart app, or in person at an ICP customer happiness centre or a typing centre.
- Choose the service: Select the option to issue a replacement for a lost or damaged card, then enter the ID number and details of the card holder — for a child, the parent or legal guardian completes the application.
- Attach documents: Typically you will need a copy of the lost card if you have one, the passport and residence visa details, and for children, the parent’s Emirates ID. Requirements can vary, so follow the checklist shown in the application itself.
- Pay the fee: Replacement carries a fee that is higher than a standard renewal because it includes an urgent issuance element. As a guide, families typically pay a total in the region of AED 300–400 including service charges, but fees are set by ICP and can change — always confirm the current amount on the official ICP portal before paying.
- Track and collect: You will receive updates by SMS and in the app. Delivery is usually by courier to your address or collection as instructed; the digital ID updates in the app once the replacement is issued.
Special notes for families with kids
- A parent or legal guardian must submit and sign the application for a minor; take your own Emirates ID and the child’s passport to any in-person appointment.
- If the lost card belongs to a child under 15, fingerprinting is not normally part of the process, which makes replacement quicker than for adults.
- Tell the school and any clinic your child uses regularly that a replacement is in progress — they will note the file and accept the digital ID in the meantime.
- If both a parent’s and a child’s cards are lost together — for example in a stolen bag — you can submit both applications the same day; each card has its own fee and tracking reference.
- Check the expiry date while you apply: if the lost card was close to expiry, the replacement is issued in line with your residence validity, and it may be simpler to ask ICP whether a renewal route applies instead.
While you wait: what still works
Life does not have to pause. The digital Emirates ID in the ICP app is accepted by government departments, banks, telecom providers, and healthcare facilities. UAE PASS gives you access to online government services. For travel, note that residents normally need the physical card or the app-based ID for smart gate use depending on the airport system — if you have a flight booked within days of the loss, contact your airline and check the current guidance, and carry your passport and a copy of the old ID. Most replacements arrive fast enough that travel plans survive, but do not leave the application until the week of a trip if you can avoid it.
FAQ
How long does a replacement Emirates ID take?
Most replacements are issued within a few working days of a completed application and payment, and the digital version appears in the ICP app once issued. Exact timelines vary, so track your application in the app.
Can I apply for my child’s replacement entirely online?
In most cases yes — a parent can complete the application through the ICP website or app using their own login. If the system asks you to visit a centre, you will be told at the end of the online application.
What if I find the old card after the replacement arrives?
Once a replacement is issued, the old card is cancelled and should not be used. Hand it in or destroy it securely, and use only the new card.
For more step-by-step help with family paperwork in the UAE, visit DXB Talk and browse the full How-To library.
