How to Get Married in UAE: Legal Requirements

Getting married in the UAE has become significantly more accessible over the past few years, particularly for non-Muslim expatriates. The landmark Abu Dhabi civil marriage law introduced in 2022 created, for the first time in the UAE's history, a secular legal framework for marriage that does not require a religious ceremony or adherence to Sharia-based procedures. This was a transformative change for the millions of non-Muslim residents who previously had to travel to their home countries or to nearby jurisdictions to obtain a legally recognised marriage. Today, the UAE offers multiple pathways to legal marriage depending on your religion, nationality, and the emirate where you reside. This guide covers every option, the documents you need, the costs involved, and the practical steps to register your marriage for visa and legal purposes.

Marriage Laws in the UAE: An Overview

The UAE's marriage framework operates through two parallel legal systems, and understanding which one applies to you is the essential first step.

Islamic (Sharia) Marriage

For Muslim couples, marriage is conducted through the Sharia court system. This applies to all Muslim marriages regardless of nationality. The marriage is officiated by a licensed marriage official (Ma'zoon) authorised by the court. The Sharia marriage process involves a marriage contract (Aqd Nikah) that specifies the mahr (dowry) from the groom to the bride, witness requirements, and the terms of the marriage. The marriage is then registered with the Sharia court, which issues the official marriage certificate. Both Sunni and Shia marriage procedures are recognised, with separate courts and officials for each denomination in most emirates.

Civil Marriage (Non-Muslim)

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department introduced civil marriage for non-Muslim residents and visitors in 2022 through the Abu Dhabi Personal Status Court for Non-Muslims. This court operates independently of the Sharia court system and applies civil law principles. Civil marriages performed in Abu Dhabi are legally recognised across all seven emirates. The civil marriage system allows interfaith marriages, does not require conversion to either partner's religion, and provides equal rights to both spouses in matters of divorce, custody, and inheritance. This system has effectively ended the need for non-Muslim residents to leave the UAE to get legally married.

Muslim Marriage Process

Requirements for Muslim Marriage

Muslim marriage in the UAE requires both parties to be Muslim (or the bride to be from the People of the Book, meaning Christian or Jewish, if the groom is Muslim), a licensed marriage official (Ma'zoon), two adult male Muslim witnesses, the bride's guardian (Wali), agreement on the mahr (dowry amount specified in the marriage contract), and both parties to be of legal age (18 for males, no specific minimum for females with court approval and guardian consent). The Ma'zoon can be booked through the Sharia court in the relevant emirate. In Dubai, the Dubai Courts website allows online booking of marriage officials. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department coordinates Ma'zoon services.

Documents Required

For Muslim marriage registration, both parties need their original passports, Emirates IDs, passport-sized photographs, a premarital medical screening certificate (mandatory in some emirates, showing the couple has been tested for communicable diseases and genetic conditions), and a No Objection Certificate from the bride's guardian. If either party was previously married, a certified divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse is required. All documents from outside the UAE must be attested through the standard attestation process. For expatriate Muslims, a certificate from the embassy or consulate confirming marital status (single or divorced) may be required.

Fees and Process

The Sharia court marriage registration fee is AED 170 to AED 500 depending on the emirate. The Ma'zoon fee is AED 200 to AED 500 for conducting the ceremony at the court, or AED 500 to AED 1,000 for an off-site ceremony (at a home, hotel, or venue). The marriage certificate is issued by the court within 1 to 3 working days of the ceremony. The entire process, from booking the Ma'zoon to receiving the certificate, typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. The ceremony itself is brief (15 to 30 minutes) and consists of the marriage contract recitation, confirmation of consent from both parties, specification of the mahr, and signing of the contract in the presence of the witnesses.

Civil Marriage Process (Non-Muslim)

Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage

The Abu Dhabi Personal Status Court for Non-Muslims handles civil marriages for non-Muslim residents and visitors. The process is straightforward and secular, with no religious requirement. Both parties must be at least 18 years old, not currently married, and present in Abu Dhabi for the ceremony. The court is located in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department building on Al Salam Street. Appointments can be booked online through the ADJD website. The civil marriage ceremony is conducted by a judge and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The court provides a marriage certificate in Arabic and English, which is legally valid across the UAE and internationally recognised.

Documents Required for Civil Marriage

Both parties need their original passports, Emirates IDs (or tourist visa entry stamp if visiting), a single status certificate or affidavit of no impediment from their embassy or consulate in the UAE (confirming they are not currently married), passport-sized photographs, and if either party was previously married, an attested divorce decree or death certificate. Some embassies issue the single status certificate (also called a Certificate of No Impediment or CNI) at their UAE office, while others require you to obtain it from the home country and have it attested. The process of obtaining the embassy certificate varies by nationality: UK citizens apply through the British Embassy in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, while US citizens submit a notarised affidavit through the US Consulate.

Civil Marriage Fees

The court fee for civil marriage registration in Abu Dhabi is AED 500. The marriage certificate issuance fee is AED 50. If translation services are required (for documents not in Arabic or English), the cost is AED 100 to AED 300 depending on the language. The total cost for a standard civil marriage, including all court fees and certificate issuance, is approximately AED 1,000 to AED 1,500. This does not include the cost of obtaining embassy certificates, which varies by nationality (AED 200 to AED 800 at most embassies). The entire process, from initial document preparation to receiving the marriage certificate, takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Embassy and Consulate Marriages

Getting Married at Your Embassy

Some embassies and consulates in the UAE offer marriage services for their nationals. The British Embassy in Dubai, for example, does not conduct marriages but can provide a Certificate of No Impediment. The Indian Consulate in Dubai can register marriages for Indian nationals under the Special Marriage Act. The Philippine Consulate conducts marriages for Filipino nationals. Not all embassies offer this service, and the legal recognition of an embassy marriage varies by the home country's laws and the UAE's acceptance of the specific embassy's authority. If you choose this route, verify with both your embassy and UAE authorities that the marriage will be recognised for visa sponsorship and other legal purposes within the UAE.

Recognition of Foreign Marriages

If you married in your home country or a third country before moving to the UAE, your marriage is generally recognised in the UAE for all legal purposes, provided you have an attested marriage certificate. The attestation chain (home country authentication, UAE Embassy attestation, and MOFA attestation) establishes the document's validity. Once attested, the marriage certificate can be used for spouse visa sponsorship, opening joint bank accounts, property co-ownership, and all other marital rights. If your marriage certificate is in a language other than Arabic or English, you will also need a certified translation.

Premarital Requirements

Premarital Medical Screening

The UAE mandates premarital medical screening for all couples intending to marry within the country. The screening tests for communicable diseases (HIV, Hepatitis B and C), hereditary blood disorders (sickle cell disease, thalassaemia), and other genetic conditions relevant to the population. The screening is conducted at authorised medical centres and costs AED 200 to AED 500 per person. Results are typically available within 5 to 7 working days. A positive result does not legally prevent the marriage, but the couple is informed of the risks and provided with genetic counselling. The screening certificate is valid for 3 months and must be presented at the time of marriage registration. Find authorised medical centres for premarital screening through government services on GoProfiled.

Prenuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements (prenups) are recognised by the Abu Dhabi civil court for non-Muslim marriages. The prenup can specify asset division in case of divorce, financial support arrangements, and other terms agreed upon by both parties. For Muslim marriages, the marriage contract itself serves a similar function, with the mahr and other terms embedded in the Aqd Nikah. Prenups should be drafted by a UAE-licensed lawyer and can be registered with the court at the time of marriage. The legal enforceability of prenups in the UAE depends on their compliance with UAE law and public policy; terms that conflict with mandatory legal provisions may not be enforced.

After the Marriage: Registration and Documentation

Registering the Marriage for Visa Purposes

Once you have your marriage certificate, the next step for most couples is spouse visa sponsorship. The sponsoring partner (the one with the UAE residence visa) submits a dependent visa application through GDRFA (in Dubai) or the equivalent immigration authority. The application requires the attested marriage certificate, both partners' passports, the sponsor's employment contract and salary certificate, the sponsor's Emirates ID, and a tenancy contract. The dependent visa costs approximately AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 including all government fees, and is valid for the same duration as the sponsor's visa. Visit a typing centre or PRO service for assistance with dependent visa processing.

Updating Official Records

After marriage, you may need to update various official records to reflect your new marital status or name change (if applicable). These include your Emirates ID (modification application through ICA, AED 150), your bank accounts, your employer's records and insurance, your vehicle registration and driving licence, and your utility accounts. For women who take their spouse's surname, a legal name change requires a court application (AED 500 to AED 1,000) followed by updated passport issuance from the embassy, and then amendments to all UAE documents and records. Many women in the UAE retain their maiden name on official documents to avoid the extensive update process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tourists get married in the UAE?

Yes, tourists can get married in the UAE through the Abu Dhabi civil court (for non-Muslims) or through the Sharia court (for Muslims). Both parties must be physically present in the UAE, and tourists need valid passports with entry stamps plus the same supporting documents required of residents (single status certificates, embassy attestation, etc.). Several wedding planning companies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer packages for destination weddings that include assistance with the legal documentation. A tourist marriage in the UAE is legally valid and can be used for immigration and legal purposes in most countries, provided it is properly registered and the certificate is attested.

Can interfaith couples get married in the UAE?

Yes. Under the Abu Dhabi civil marriage law, interfaith marriages are permitted without any requirement for religious conversion. A Christian and a Hindu, a Buddhist and a non-religious person, or any other combination of faiths or non-faith can marry through the civil court. Under Sharia law, a Muslim man can marry a Christian or Jewish woman without her converting, but a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man unless he converts to Islam. The civil marriage route in Abu Dhabi is the standard pathway for interfaith couples who do not wish to navigate religious requirements or conversion.

How long does it take to get married in the UAE?

The fastest pathway is the Abu Dhabi civil marriage, which can be completed in 2 to 3 weeks from initial document preparation to receiving the marriage certificate. This assumes both parties already have their single status certificates from their embassies and all documents are in order. Muslim marriage through the Sharia court can be completed in 1 to 2 weeks once all documents are prepared and the Ma'zoon is booked. The premarital medical screening adds 5 to 7 working days. The most time-consuming element is typically obtaining the single status certificate from embassies, which can take 1 to 4 weeks depending on the embassy's processing times.

Is a marriage in the UAE recognised internationally?

Yes, marriages legally performed in the UAE are generally recognised internationally. The civil marriage certificate issued by the Abu Dhabi court and the Sharia court marriage certificate are both official government documents. For international recognition, you will typically need to have the marriage certificate attested by MOFA and then by the embassy of the country where you need the marriage recognised. Some countries require additional registration steps when you return (for example, registering the foreign marriage with the civil registry in your home country). The UAE marriage is the legal foundation; home country registration is a separate administrative step required by some jurisdictions.

Getting married in the UAE is more accessible than it has ever been, with clear pathways for both Muslim and non-Muslim couples. The Abu Dhabi civil marriage law has removed what was once a significant barrier for non-Muslim residents, and the streamlined processes at both the Sharia and civil courts make the administrative side manageable. Plan ahead by obtaining your embassy documents early, completing the premarital screening, and having all documents properly attested. Browse government services on GoProfiled for typing centres, attestation services, and legal assistance to support your marriage registration in the UAE.