The Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 provides non-Muslim residents the option to follow the laws of their home country or select alternative personal status laws in effect in the UAE. The Federal Decree Law covers matters related to marriage, divorce, inheritance and child custody. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Personal Status Law for non-Muslims regulates personal status matters for non-Muslims in the emirate and provides a flexible and advanced judicial mechanism for the determination of personal status disputes.
‘Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for Non-Muslims’ regulates family affairs of non-Muslim residents of the UAE. It also provides non-Muslim residents the option to follow the laws of their home country or select alternative personal status laws in effect in the UAE over the provisions of this Decree Law. The Decree Law covers family matters related to marriage, divorce, inheritance and child custody.
It sets out the requirements and procedures for getting married and registering the marriage with the competent courts. It outlines the procedures for divorce which can be initiated jointly or singly. It organises the procedures for settling the financial claims after divorce, and the arrangement of joint custody of the children. It organises the procedures for inheritance, wills and proofs of paternity. The Decree-Law took effect on 1 February 2023.
The Decree Law does not apply to Muslims, as ‘Sharia’ or Islamic laws govern family matters of Muslims.
Refer to Ministry of Justice and Dubai Courts for more information about the personal status law for non-Muslims.
Read about personal status matters for non-Muslims in Abu Dhabi.
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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.
What is a civil marriage?
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.
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