This page provides information about how marriage is the basis of the family system in the UAE and marriage laws that apply to UAE nationals and expatriate residents.
In 2021, in accordance with Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 Regarding Civil Marriage and Its Effects (as amended), the Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Service was established.
A civil marriage is a lawful union of a man and woman, solemnized as a civil contract. It a regulated by Article 4 and 5 of the Law and is based on secular rules. Couples are not required to have a pre-marital screening test and do not need permission of the wife’s father or guardian.
Who can get married in the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court?
It is possible for anyone to get married, regardless of nationality or religion. The only exemption is a UAE national who is Muslim. It is also important to note that tourists can get married at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court.
What are the requirements to get married at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court?
How can you submit an application for a civil marriage?
What are the required documents?
What is the difference between the regular and express marriage service?
The regular service is AED 300 and applications will be dealt with within 10 working days. The couple will then be allocated a date and time for the marriage ceremony based on the next availability of the court.
In contrast, the express service costs AED 2,500 and the application will be fast tracked and processed within 1 working day. The couple can then choose the specific time and date for the marriage ceremony in line with the Court’s opening hours. This is the most suitable option for couples who want to get married quickly or on a specific date.
What happens at the marriage ceremony?
The court will confirm the marriage ceremony date and time by email.
On the scheduled date, the couple should attend the ADJD main court building through Gate 5 and present the ceremony confirmation to the security at the entrance. They should then make their way to the Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Section. The couple will then be asked to provide a physical copy of their ID document (either Emirates ID or Passport) and will need to check that the details on the draft marriage certificate are correct. They will then be taken to the ceremony room.
During the ceremony, a marriage notary will be present and the vows will be read to the couples in a pre-recorded voiceover, which is available in 7 different languages. If the couple require a language other than English, they should inform the Court in advance of the ceremony so the relevant arrangements can be made.
The couples can bring as many guests with them as they like, although witnesses are not required as the notary public officer acts as a witness to the ceremony. The couples can also bring a photographer and videographer if they wish to record their special day and can choose to exchange rings and their own vows.
At the end of the ceremony, both parties will be required to sign the marriage certificate.
What action should be taken after the marriage certificate has been issued?
There is no further action to take once the marriage certificate has been issued. However, most couples choose to get the certificate attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For more information, please visit the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
To find out more information about the Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Service, you can send an email to civilfamilycourt@adjd.gov.ae or visit the Judicial Department website.
Dubai launched a civil marriage service for non-Muslim residents of the emirate of Dubai. This service enables couples to obtain a civil wedding licence in just 24 hours.
Conditions
To proceed with a civil marriage application in Dubai, the following conditions must be met:
Note:
The civil marriage service in Dubai complies with Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for Non-Muslims, which regulates family affairs of non-Muslim residents of the UAE. Additionally, it aligns with Dubai’s significant progress in embracing cultural diversity.
Watch these videos about Dubai civil marriage.
UAE's law identifies marriage as a legal contract between a man and a woman, aimed at protecting the rights of the couple and their children.
Pre-marital general requirements
The following are the general requirements for a marriage to take place:
By making pre-marital screening mandatory, the UAE aims to arrest the spread of communicable diseases such as AIDS.
UAE's law for personal affairs governs all matters related to marriage contracts.
In the UAE, premarital examination is a requirement for Emirati and resident couples to get married. The aim of the screening is to safeguard their health by ensuring that no potential infections will be transmitted between them.
Note: Applicants for a civil marriage are not required to have a premarital screening.
The screening includes tests for infectious diseases, such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), Hepatitis B & C, syphilis and genetic diseases such as Beta-thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia and other hemoglobinopathies. It also checks for German Measles (Rubella) and blood grouping, as per Department of Health, Abu Dhabi.
You can apply online to get the service and obtain the marriage fitness certificate through the UAE government’s health facilities mentioned in the following links:
Documents required and service fees are mentioned in the service card.
The UAE Government aims to build and maintain a stable and consolidated Emirati family and to fortify the Emirati social and demographic structure, by encouraging Emirati men to marry Emirati women.
In this regard, the UAE established Marriage Fund under Federal Law No. 47 of 1992, complementing and integrating with the social policy set up by late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding President of the UAE.
In 2016, the entity Marriage Fund was dissolved and its scope was brought under Ministry of Community Development (MoCD). The role of Marriage Fund is with the Marriage Grant Department of MoCD.
The Marriage Grant Department in Ministry of Community Development receives marriage grant applications from UAE citizens and offers the grants to deserving Emiratis according to its set criteria.
Provisions for obtaining a marriage grant
Marriage grant is governed by the Cabinet Resolution No. 5 of 2017 regarding terms, legalisation and procedures for the settlement of marriage funds (PDF, 400 KB, the resolution is available only in Arabic). According to the resolution, an Emirati couple who meets certain criteria are eligible to receive AED 70,000 from the government, paid in one instalment. Marriage grant applies to lower-income Emiratis and those on social welfare.
For the applicant to be eligible for the fund, there are certain requirements, which include:
Where to apply for a marriage grant?
Emiratis may apply for marriage grant through the website of the Ministry of Community Development.
Besides the Marriage Fund, there are entities in each emirate that provide services such as:
Read more about marriage and family-related services on the websites of:
Bunyan card
Dubai Municipality launched the Bunyan card under the theme ‘We build happiness for a better life’ for UAE citizens aged 18 years and above. The card provides citizens with discounts and offers on furniture to meet their needs of building materials and home furnishings at reduced price, thus providing them with good financial savings.
A citizen can get the Bunyan card from Dubai Municipality centres at Al Tawar, Al Kafaf and Hatta.
All nationals and expatriate residents can conclude their marriages in the UAE. In the UAE, Islamic marriages are conducted according to the Sharia provisions, which apply in the following cases, regardless of nationality:
While the law permits a Muslim man to marry a non-Muslim woman, it does not allow a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man without proof of his conversion to Islam.
Polygamy is allowed as per the UAE's law. A Muslim male may have four wives, provided he offers equal sustenance and equal treatment to all.
Key legal requirements for Muslim marriages
Here are the key legal requirements for Muslim marriages:
Marital screening test must be done through one of the medical centres of the:
Denial of marriage
Based on the medical screening certificate, application for marriage may be denied if one of the parties suffers from a:
Entities responsible for concluding Islamic marriages
Islamic marriages are conducted by UAE Judicial departments and Sharia courts or through the services of authorised marriage officers (Mazoons) in each emirate.
Maximum dowry (Mahr) in the marriage contracts
According to Federal Law No. 21 of 1997 on Fixing the Dowry in the Contract of Marriage and Its Expenses, the advance dowry in Islamic marriage may not exceed AED 20,000 and the deferred dowry may not exceed AED 30,000.
eMarriage service
Ministry of Justice has launched eMarriage service that lets couples wishing to get married to book an appointment with a marriage officer through an online updated database linked to the ID card system.
Both, the Judicial Department in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Courts facilitate online marriage applications and the services of marriage officers.
Read also about 'Mabrook Ma Dabart' (Wedding bundle) - Services 1 Centre.
For all UAE nationals
For Emirati women marrying expatriate men
When an Emirati woman wishes to marry an expatriate man, she should obtain:
Note that the nationality of the Emirati woman should not have been obtained by dependency.
In addition, the prospective groom
For GCC nationals and citizens of other Islamic countries
Non-Muslims can conclude marriage formalities at:
Some countries require their citizens to file an application of intention to marry at their embassy or consulate in the UAE. You are advised to check with your embassy and proceed accordingly. The marriage must also be registered in the embassies of both partners in the UAE.
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