To accommodate its diverse population, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently changed its rules by adding civil marriage choices in addition to the customary Sharia-based unions. For both Muslims and non-Muslims looking to be married in the United Arab Emirates, this offers a thorough rundown of the laws, processes, and factors to be taken into account. A civil marriage is a legal association between a man and a woman, regardless of their nationality or religion, that is solemnized as a civil contract under secular laws. Abu Dhabi first introduced the idea of civil marriage in the region in 2021 when it passed a new law. Law No. 14 of 2021 concerning Civil Marriage and Its Impact in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi regulates it in Articles 4 and 5.
In the UAE, non-Muslims are not the only ones who can get married civilly. The system was first developed for non-Muslim residents and tourists by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, but it has subsequently been expanded to cover Muslim expats who are not citizens of the United Arab Emirates.
This implies that, if they fulfil the prerequisites, both Muslim and non-Muslim expats are permitted to wed under the civil marriage legislation. No matter where they reside, tourists can also file for a civil marriage. While couples must come to Abu Dhabi to attend the civil marriage ceremony, applications can be made online from any location in the world.
But Muslim citizens of the United Arab Emirates are not allowed to marry in a civil ceremony and are required to adhere to Sharia (Islamic) personal status laws. For instance, these regulations restrict Muslim nationals’ ability to marry outside of their faith and require a guardian’s consent before a woman can get married. Approval could take up to 10 working days after you file your application and pay the court fee. Within five working days of your approval, the court will get in touch with you to arrange your ceremony. After the ceremony, a marriage certificate is issued right away.
A preferred day and time for the ceremony can be chosen if you opt for the express option, which will complete your application in one working day. The court recognizes civil marriage as being completely legal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must attest the marriage certificate following the ceremony. People are encouraged to get in touch with their embassy if they have any concerns.
An application for a civil marriage submitted through:
- The ADJD website
- One of the ADJD typing centers is based in Abu Dhabi
Required documents:
- a completed and signed marriage application form
- a copy of both parties’ passports or Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- if one of the parties were previously married, proof that this marriage is now dissolved
- Pre-nuptial agreement (optional).
Standard and Expedited marriage service:
Standard Service: Applications will be processed within 10 working days for the normal service, which costs AED 300. Following that, the couple will be given a time and date for the marriage ceremony based on the court’s next availability. b. Expedited Service: AED 2,500 is the price of the expedited service, which expedites the application procedure and processes it in one working day.
According to the Court’s operating hours, the couple can then decide on the precise time and day of the marriage ceremony. For couples that wish to get married soon or on a particular day, this is the best choice.
Marriage Ceremony. The court will be sending an email confirming the marriage ceremony’s date and time. The couple must show the ceremony confirmation to the security guard at the entry when they come to the ADJD main court building on the designated day and enter through Gate 5. A hard copy of their identification document (either their passport or Emirates ID) will be needed to be present to the Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Section. Additionally, the pair will be asked to confirm that the information on the draft marriage certificate is correct.
They will be led to the ceremony chamber after this is over. A marriage notary will be present for the wedding, and a recorded in-advance voiceover available in seven different languages will read the vows to the couple. The couple should notify the court before the ceremony if they need a language besides English to ensure the necessary preparations can be made. The notary public serves as a witness to the ceremony, therefore, witnesses are not needed, although the couple is welcome to invite as many people as they desire.
In addition to exchanging rings and taking their vows, the couples have the option to bring a photographer and filmmaker if they want to document their delightful day. The marriage certificate must be signed by both partners after the ceremony. The majority of couples elect to have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirm their marriage certificate following it has been issued. We can visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website for additional details. We can visit the Judicial Department website or submit an email to civilfamilycourt@adjd.gov.ae to learn more about the Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Service.
Legal Framework
Federal Decree-Law No. 41/2022 On Civil Personal Status:
Non-Muslim UAE nationals and non-Muslim foreigners living in the UAE are eligible for civil marriages under Article 1 of this decree-law.
Article 5: Requirements for Civil Marriage
- In terms of age: According to official records from their respective nations, both parties must be at least 21 years old.
- Acceptance: Before the authentication judge, both parties must expressly consent to marriage. The marriage shouldn’t face any legal challenges.
- Disclosure Form: To ensure that there are no legal barriers to the marriage and to acknowledge their permission to it, both spouses must sign this disclosure form.
- Prohibited Relationships: Executive Regulations may specify further requirements, such as the prohibition of marriage between specific relatives.
Article 6 : Application Process of Civil Marriage
The application procedure is covered in Article 6. By submitting the required form to the authenticating judge at the appropriate court, eligible spouses can petition for a civil marriage. Details on previous marriages, confirmation of consent, and other pertinent information are included in the form. The marriage contract is legalised by the authentication judge and entered into the official registry once all requirements have been met.
Abu Dhabi Law No. 14/2021 on Civil Marriage:
Male and female non-Muslim citizens or residents who live in the emirate of Abu Dhabi are permitted to get married civilly under the Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Law.
Article 4: Civil Marriage Requirements
- In terms of age, both individuals must be at least eighteen years old.
- Acceptance: Before the authentication judge, both parties must expressly consent to marriage. The marriage ought not to encounter any legal challenges.
- Disclosure Form: To ensure that there are no legal obstacles to the marriage and to acknowledge their permission to it, both spouses must sign this disclosure form.
- Prohibited Relationships: The Executive Regulations may include additional restrictions, such as the prohibition against marriage between specific relatives.
- The Authentication Judge ratifies the contract, which is issued in two languages.
Article 5: Procedures for Contracting a Civil Marriage
- Application Submission: Foreigners are exempt from submitting a pre-marital medical examination certificate and can apply for a civil marriage by submitting a specially prepared form to the Judge.
- Form Completion and Marriage Ethics: Before the Judge, both spouses complete the Form, starting the marriage procedure.
- Acceptance: Partners may agree on the terms of the contract, taking into account rights both during and after a divorce.
- Disclosure of Prior Marriages: In the marriage contract form, spouses are required to reveal any previous marriages. Provide evidence that there is no current marital relationship and include the date of the divorce.
- Bilingual Marriage Contract: The bilingual civil marriage contract is issued by the chairman or their designee.
- Verification and Ratification: The requirements for civil marriage are confirmed by the Authentication Judge. The judge approves the marriage contract after verification. After this, the contract is entered into the register
Differences Between Civil and Sharia Law Marriages in the UAE:
- Guardian Approval
- Civil Marriage: Even for the female partner, a guardian’s approval is not necessary. Since both partners are regarded as equals under the law, getting married only requires their consent. This method reflects a contemporary, secular, and individual autonomy-based understanding of marriage.
- Sharia Law Marriage: The bride must have a guardian (wali), especially if she is a Muslim. Without the consent of her guardian, who is typically her father or closest male relative, the marriage cannot be formally consummated. This prerequisite is an essential component of the religious process and has its roots in Islamic jurisprudence.
- Medical Test
- Civil Marriage: There is no need for a premarital medical exam. To promote accessibility, the procedure is made simpler, particularly for visitors and expatriates who might not have access to local medical records.
- Sharia Law Marriage: Both partners must have a mandated premarital medical examination. In order to safeguard family health and the general welfare, this test checks for infectious diseases, genetic disorders, and other health problems. The marriage contract cannot be issued until the certificate has been presented.
- Interreligious Marriage
- Civil Marriage: Without regard to any restrictions. Under civil law, couples from various religious origins can get married without having to convert or follow any rites. For interfaith couples who might not adhere to Sharia’s religious restrictions, this is especially beneficial.
- Sharia Law Marriage: limited. Muslim women are not allowed to marry non-Muslim males unless the guy converts to Islam, whereas Muslim men are allowed to marry women who are “People of the Book” (i.e., Christians or Jews). Sharia law does not recognize marriages that fall outside of certain bounds.
- Non-Residents’ Marriage
- Civil Marriage: Visitors and other non-residents may submit applications online for civil marriage in Abu Dhabi; they just need to show up in person for the ceremony. Because of this, weddings at resorts and fast legal marriages are common in the United Arab Emirates, especially in Abu Dhabi.
- Sharia Law Marriage: Generally restricted. The UAE’s residence regulations, paperwork demands, and local permits can make it difficult for non-residents to get married in a Sharia-based marriage. For people who don’t live in the UAE, the requirement of guardian presence and medical tests might also make things more difficult.
By offering several options for marriage, the UAE’s legal reforms demonstrate its dedication to integrating its varied populace. While non-Muslims can choose to get married civilly under Federal Decree Law No. 41, Muslims still marry under Sharia law. Additionally, certain emirates, like Abu Dhabi, have recently allowed Muslims to marry in civil marriages. People should speak with legal consultants, family lawyers, or other authorities when the legal environment changes to learn about the latest marriage laws and regulations in the United Arab Emirates. In the United Arab Emirates, couples can effectively traverse the civil marriage procedure due to the progressive legal frameworks for non-Muslims.
