Civil marriage is a legal marriage contract, enabling non-Muslims, to marry before a civil authority without any religious ceremonies or requirements. This type of marriage is based on the mutual consent of both parties. Civil marriage is generally not legal for UAE citizens as the marriage among them is governed by Sharia law. The non-Muslims, both residents and visitors, in the UAE can have a civil marriage through courts.

In Dubai, the civil marriage is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on the Civil Personal Status, and Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2023 concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on the Civil Personal Status.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Personal Status Law No. 14 of 2021 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.

This system was introduced to accommodate the country’s diverse international population and to provide a legally standardized form of marriage that is recognized both locally and internationally. The law sets out the rules relating to divorce, wills, inheritance, child custody, and the rights arising from a civil marriage. Civil marriage does not apply to Muslims.

Where Civil Marriage is to be registered

Civil marriages are mainly processed in major emirates that have specialized procedures:

  1. Abu Dhabi – conducted through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), which allows online and offline applications and even expedited ceremonies in some cases.
  2. Dubai – provides civil marriage services through Dubai Courts, generally requiring at least one partner to be a resident of the emirate.
Conditions for Civil Marriage

For a civil marriage contract, there is a small difference in the conditions to be complied. The following conditions shall be met as per Abu Dhabi Personal Status Law No. 14 of 2021:-

  1. Age: to register civil marriage in Abu Dhabi, each party must be at least 18 years old, whereas, to proceed with a civil marriage application in Dubai, each party to the marriage must be at least 21 years old, with all other conditions remains the same.
  2. Free consent: both must provide their free consent to marriage.
  3. No impediment: Marriage shall not take place between brothers, sons, grandchildren, paternal uncles, maternal uncles or relatives up to the third degree. The marriage shall not take place between the adopted child and the father or mother in the alternative family or any of their natural children, and among two sisters, a wife and her mother, maternal aunt, paternal aunt or grandmother, if the legislation, to which the husband is subject, permits polygamy.
  4. Religion: available to non‑Muslims, including mixed‑nationality couples.
  5. Residence: local residency is not required, and tourists can marry if they hold valid passports/entry and provide civil‑status documents.
Documents required
  1. copy of the passport/ Emirates ID of both parties
  2. proof of residency (if applicable)
  3. If either of the party was married previously, proof of dissolution of marriage (e.g., divorce judgment or death certificate of the former spouse).

Foreign documents often must be translated into Arabic and attested by relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Procedures for the Registration
  1. Online pre‑registration: open a file with the civil family court portal (e.g., Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court) or the relevant emirate authority.
  2. Payment of Fees: submission of the documents (passports, single/divorce proofs, translations) and payment of the required fees.
  3. Book an appointment: select a date for signing. In some emirates, no witnesses or premarital tests are required for non‑Muslim civil marriages, which speeds things up.
  4. Signing: both parties attend with originals of the documents submitted. Sign before the concerned officer and receive a marriage certificate (often bilingual).
  5. Certificates/copies: collect the official certificate and, if needed, order certified copies for overseas use.
  6. Attestation: Once the certificate is issued, it should be attested by authorities including MOFA to be valid for legal use (e.g., visa sponsorship) within the UAE.
Legal Effects and Recognition

Civil marriages conducted in the UAE are formal legal acts performed before a competent judicial authority. Once the marriage is registered, the marriage certificate becomes an official document. Because it is issued by a recognized government authority, foreign states typically treat it as reliable proof that a lawful marriage exists. The key factor is not where the spouses are from, but whether the marriage complied with UAE legal requirements such as age, consent, capacity to marry, and absence of prohibited relationships.

We, Ayesha Al Dhaheri Advocates and Legal Consultants have successfully handled and guided the registration of civil marriages in the past. If you require any assistance with registration or have any related inquiries, please feel free to contact us. Our team of expert lawyers will provide you with professional guidance every step of the way.