12.08.2026
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What is it about? Marriages in the UAE are regulated by the "Personal Status Law". For a non-Muslim couple, mutual consent and the necessary package of documents are sufficient to conduct the ceremony. Country residents register unions according to Sharia law — with the presence of witnesses and signing a marriage contract.
How does divorce work? Divorces are also regulated by law and can be initiated by both husband and wife. The woman receives a mahr — a kind of "insurance" from the former spouse. Children most often stay with the mother and receive financial support from the father. Joint property is divided according to the marriage contract.
Since February 1, 2023, Federal Decree-Law No. 41/2022 "On Personal Status" for non-Muslim foreigners in the UAE has been effective. Let's look at who this law applies to and what it regulates.
The law outlines special rules that regulate not only family but also inheritance relations. The legal provisions apply to both non-Muslim citizens of the Arab Emirates and UAE residents — non-Muslim foreigners living in the emirates.
An important feature of this law is that unlike the old one, based on Sharia principles, it is based on equality between men and women in all rights and obligations.
Federal Decree-Law No. 41/2022 "On Personal Status" not only provides equal rights to men and women but also describes in detail the procedures for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and child custody.
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The new law allows non-Muslim couples to marry by mutual consent, without the approval from the bride's father or guardian. According to this law, the previous requirement of having a male Muslim witness for marriage registration is no longer mandatory.
Now marriage can be concluded in a "competent court" under several conditions, including mutual desire to marry, the age of newlyweds not less than 21 years old, absence of family ties between them, and absence of other marriages. If the groom's citizenship does not prohibit him from marrying several women, he must provide all information about his previous marriages.
In a single day, a couple can not only register their marriage but also conclude a marriage contract to protect their assets, property, and interests in the country of residence, as well as other jurisdictions in case of divorce.
Marriage in the UAE for Russians is possible at the Russian consulate provided that one of the newlyweds is a resident of the country.
Marriages between Muslims are registered in Sharia court by concluding a contract that stipulates the rights of not only spouses but also their children.
It is prohibited to register a marriage if the age difference between those getting married is more than two times.
Future spouses must also obtain certificates from a state hospital confirming that they do not suffer from serious diseases. The bride and groom must take a blood test for the absence of abnormal genes.
During the marriage ceremony, the mandatory condition is the presence of the bride's father and two male Muslim witnesses. If the bride's father has died, a death certificate must be provided, and another male relative (a son, a brother, an uncle, etc.) can act as the guardian. If the father cannot attend the marriage ceremony, he must provide a power of attorney.
The law defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman, the purpose of which is to protect the rights of both spouses. In Dubai, at least one of the parties to the marriage (the husband, the wife, or the wife's guardian) must be a resident of the country. In other emirates, both spouses must be country residents. Other requirements depend on the religion and citizenship of the newlyweds.
Legal requirements for foreign Muslims getting married in the UAE:
Future spouses must also provide a pre-marriage health certificate issued by a medical institution. This examination is designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including HIV and AIDS.
Same-sex marriages are prohibited in the UAE.
If a woman with UAE citizenship wants to marry a foreigner in the UAE, she must comply with the following conditions:
The foreign groom must have citizenship. Legal residency is a mandatory condition. As an example, it can be obtained when purchasing housing in Dubai. Also, when registering marriage, a certificate proving that there is no criminal record must be provided.
Requirements for non-Muslim foreigners: civil marriage in the United Arab Emirates.
This may be of interest to UAE expats and tourists who do not follow the Islamic religion and want to get married in Dubai or Abu Dhabi according to secular principles. It should be noted that such marriages do not require medical examination or consent from the father or the guardian of the future wife.
Registration of civil status acts in the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court is open to all people, regardless of nationality and religion, except Muslims. Tourists are also included. Those wishing to legalize their relationships must meet the following conditions:
The marriage application in the UAE can be filled out on the official website of the Judicial Department (ADJD) or at any ADJD center. The following documents are required: application, copies of passports of each party or their Emirates ID (for UAE residents), and proof of previous marriage if any existed.
To formalize marriage as a civil contract, the following conditions must be met:
Both parties must present original passports and Emirates IDs, as well as a photocopy of the residence permit.
All documents presented in English or any other language must be translated into Arabic and signed by a legal translator accredited by the UAE Ministry of Justice, and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).
For marriage in the United Arab Emirates, a somewhat unusual package of documents is required: passports, health certificates, confirmation of marital status — all this forms a solid foundation for your marriage union.
Future spouses must present a medical certificate from a state clinic confirming the absence of serious diseases such as HIV, AIDS, and various other infections; chest X-ray may also be required. This measure is aimed at maintaining a strong and healthy nation.
There are also additional requirements: for emirates residents — a residence permit, and for non-residents — a visa and permission to marry from the embassy (not for all countries).
Emirates legislation emphasizes religion. Islam is the country's main religion, so legislation is largely based on Sharia laws. Family ties in the UAE are very important and strictly observed. According to official statistics, divorces here are extremely rare.
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There is no Family Code in the Arab Emirates. All disagreements and disputes are dealt with by Sharia, civil, or criminal courts. Family disputes are resolved in religious courts.
Judges possess deep knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah and can make just decisions in accordance with religious norms. Even divorce cases involving foreigners are dealt with in accordance with religion.
The work of Sharia courts is controlled by the state. They are obliged to observe only substantive legal norms; otherwise, cases will be dealt with by civil courts. Family legal relations are subject to two country laws:
Islam views marital relations as a legal contract between partners. It aims to protect the rights of both parties, as well as the rights of their children. Marriage contracts in Europe are a relatively new phenomenon. At present, they have not yet become widespread.
In Arab countries, such an agreement between future spouses is the norm. Usually, the couple signs the document along with two relatives from the bride's side. But the couple may get married much later than the signing of the marriage contract.
The marriage contract specifies the amount of dowry (mahr) that the groom must pay to the bride. In case of divorce or death of the spouse, this money passes to the wife's disposal. For the contract to be valid, it is important that the dowry amount is specified. It should be noted that the contract does not indicate data about children who have not yet been born.
The contract must be drawn up according to Sharia laws. If even one clause does not meet religious requirements, the document will be considered invalid. Also, it must not have contradictions of morality and civil order.
Despite references to Sharia, the country's legislation gives priority to the child's interests in divorce proceedings. Children up to 13 years old (girls) and up to 11 years old (boys) stay with the mother. UAE laws impose certain requirements on the guardian. They must be law-abiding, at least 21 years old, capable of taking care of the child, and have no criminal record.
Additionally, the guardian must be an adherent of the Islamic religion. This is explained by the fact that children born in a Muslim family are typically Muslims. If the mother remarries, she loses custody. The court always makes decisions based on what is best for the child.
A woman with a child can relocate to another city but not outside the country. In case of divorce, the wife receives compensation. She can also claim a quarter of the husband's annual income. And during the first three months after divorce, the former husband must support his wife if she becomes pregnant.
Both spouses can claim their share of property. If it is joint property, it is sold by court decision, and the received amount is divided between former spouses. However, in most cases, property division occurs by agreement and is considered in civil court.
If you are a religious person, you can conduct a marriage ceremony at a place of worship in the UAE or at your country's diplomatic mission. You can also marry a Christian in a church in the emirates.
If you are planning a Hindu or Jewish wedding, you will need to find an appropriate religious institution. It should be noted that for secular organizations, this marriage will not be considered valid until it is registered with the appropriate government institution.
Polygamy is not prohibited by local legislation. Men in the UAE can have up to four wives, provided they are given equal living conditions and equal treatment. Since religion strongly influences not only marriage relationships but also all aspects of daily life, most weddings are conducted in accordance with Islamic traditions and Sharia norms.
Family in the emirates plays a major role. Parents typically participate in choosing future spouses for their children, and it is very important that they give consent to the marriage.
If a couple already lives in the UAE, they only need to carefully study the opportunities that local legislation provides for foreigners. Additionally, you can seek help from a professional agency that will assist in organizing the wedding and advise which documents are needed for marriage in the UAE through an embassy, in a religious institution, or when concluding a civil contract.
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