Civil Marriage
In 2021, Abu Dhabi issued a new law to introduce the concept of civil marriage for the first time in the region.
This page aims to answer some frequently asked questions to help you understand the rules and procedures related to civil marriage in Abu Dhabi.
What is civil marriage?
A civil marriage is the lawful union of a man and woman solemnized as a civil contract, under secular rules, regardless of faith or nationality.
It is regulated by Article 4 and 5 of the Civil Marriage Law No. 14 of 2021.
What is the difference between civil marriage and a marriage under the personal status law?
|
Civil Marriage |
Marriage under Sharia Law |
| Father ( Guardian ) approval |
Not required |
Required |
| Medical test |
Not required |
Required |
| Interreligious marriage |
Permitted |
Restricted |
| Non-residents marriage |
Permitted |
Restricted |
How can I submit an application for a civil marriage?
If you are a UAE resident- please select the following link:
If you are NOT a UAE resident (tourist)- please select the following link:
It is recommended that you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when making your application.
You can select either the regular service (processed within 10 working days) or express service (processed within 1 working day and you can select your ceremony date).
What are the conditions?
The conditions that must be met for the marriage application to be approved are as follows: -
Both parties must provide their consent
Both parties must be at least 18 years’ old
The parties must not be related by the first or second degree
The parties must not be married to any other person
Either party must not be a UAE national
Who can get married under the civil marriage rules?
It is possible for anyone, regardless of religion, to obtain a civil marriage other than UAE nationals.
Do i need to be a resident of the UAE to get married?
No. Tourists are encouraged to obtain a civil marriage, regardless of where they live. You can apply from anywhere in the world through the online portal. However, please do note that once you have submitted your application and paid the court fee, you will need to travel to Abu Dhabi for the civil marriage ceremony.
Click here to see how you can enjoy your stay in Abu Dhabi: https://visitabudhabi.ae/en .
Where does the marriage ceremony take place?
The marriage ceremony takes place in the Civil Family Court in the ADJD main court building (next to Zayed Sports City).
What should I bring with me to the ceremony?
You must also bring your passport and if you are a UAE resident, you should also bring your Emirates ID.
Do I need to bring a witness?
There is no requirement to bring a witness however you are welcome to bring family and friends to the ceremony.
Can we exchange rings and say our own vows?
Yes, but it is not mandatory. Please let the team know upon arrival if you wish to exchange rings or include your own vows.
Can I pick the ceremony date and time?
If you opt for the express service, you can select the ceremony date and time subject to the court’s opening hours. If you select the standard service, the court will do its best to accommodate your request but it is subject to availability.
How much does it cost to get a civil marriage?
The standard civil marriage fee is 300 AED..However, if you wish to process the application quickly or if there is a particular date you would like to select, you can use the express marriage service at a cost of AED 2,500.
How should I submit my marriage agreement?
First, it is important to be aware that having a marriage agreement is not mandatory. However, should you wish to submit a marriage agreement, you should submit it with the civil marriage application as a supporting document. There is an additional fee of 950 AED for the marriage agreement to be notarized.
What documents do I need to submit with the application?
Copy of both parties’ passport
Copy of both parties’ Emirates ID (if applicable)
If previously married, proof that the marriage is now dissolved (eg. divorce judgment or death certificate)
How long does the process take?
Upon submission of your application, it can take up to 10 working days for your application to be approved by the registration team. Once your application is approved and you have paid the fee, you should receive an email or telephone call from the court within 5 working days. to arrange an appointment for the marriage ceremony. The marriage certificate will be issued at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Alternatively, you can select the express service and your application will be processed within 1 working day and you can select the ceremony date and time.
When can the marriage ceremony take place?
The marriage ceremonies may take place on the following dates and times:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am-1:30pm
Friday: 9:00am-11:00am
During Ramadan
All appointments are subject to the courts availability and are allocated a 30-minute time slot. Times may vary during Ramadan and the Court is closed during public holidays and on weekends.
How long does the marriage ceremony take?
The Court aims to conduct marriage ceremonies within 15 minutes.
Can I take pictures during the marriage ceremony?
Yes, you may take pictures during the marriage ceremony and it is possible to bring a photographer with you to the ceremony.
Can I bring family and friends to the marriage ceremony?
Yes, you can bring guests with you to the marriage ceremony.
What should I do once I receive my marriage certificate?
When you receive your marriage certificate, it is recommended that you get it notarized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Can someone who is a Muslim obtain a civil marriage?
Yes, it is possible for Muslims to use the civil marriage service as long as they are not a citizen of the UAE.
Can I submit a marriage/pre-nuptial agreement?
Yes, but it is important to note that it is not mandatory. The Court has a standard template to assist you when drafting the agreement and this will be sent to you once the request has been submitted. The cost of the service is AED 950. You can submit the request using the following link:ICR
I can no longer attend the ceremony, what should I do?
You must give the Court at least 24 hours’ notice if you cannot attend the ceremony. If you wish to reschedule, the Court will do its best to accommodate you. Kindly note that refunds will only be granted in very limited circumstances. If you fail to provide the Court with 24 hours’ notice, then you will need to submit a new application.
Is this marriage valid in my home country?
Civil marriage is like any other official marriage; it is approved and issued by the Court and will then need to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you have any concerns, you should contact your embassy.
This page answers some of the frequently asked questions related to no-fault divorce in Abu Dhabi
1. What is no fault divorce?
No- fault divorce is a type of divorce in which a spouse can obtain a divorce without proving that the other spouse did something wrong, such as committing adultery or abuse
The Civil Family Court will therefore
grant a divorce in response to the no-fault divorce application without
requiring evidence of the reasons for the breakdown of marriage.
2. How is no fault divorce different to divorce under sharia law?
|
No fault Divorce |
Divorce under Sharia |
| Reasons for divorce |
Not required |
Required |
| Equal unilateral divorce |
Yes |
No, only husband can decide to get a divorce |
| Custody of children |
Joint custody by default |
Mother to get custody until the age of 11 only |
| Length of procedures |
Within one month |
Lengthy process |
| Language of proceedings |
English and Arabic |
Arabic only |
| ADR ( mediation stage ) |
Not applicable |
Mandatory before going to the court |
| International Recognition |
Yes |
Restricted |
3. Who can apply for a no fault divorce?
1. Abu Dhabi Residents; or
2. Anyone who obtained a Civil Marriage through the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court; and
3. The parties must be from a country which is not governed by sharia law. For applicants holding citizenship of a country member of the Arab League countries, an official document proving the religion of the party may be required.
4. 5. What documents are required when submitting the application?
The documents required to support the no-fault divorce application are
as follows:
1. . Copy of the marriage certificate (English and Arabic)
2. Copy of ID (passport and, Emirates ID)
5. How can you submit a no-fault divorce application
To submit the application, you will need to visit one of the typing centres in Abu Dhabi. Select the following link for the location of the typing centres: Typing Centres
6. How can I make a financial claim ?
If you cannot reach an amicable financial settlement upon divorce, you
can apply for a financial order using the post-divorce application for a
financial order.This can be submitted following issuance of the divorce judgment.
7. What happens to the children after a divorce?
Following divorce, joint custody is automatically applied unless one parent
waives his/her right to joint custody. Joint custody is a form of child custody where custody rights are awarded to both parents.
This is in relation to both physical and legal custody. Joint legal custody means that both parents
have a say when making a major decision for the child,such as medical care, religious upbringing and education. Joint physical custody means that a child is entitled to spend close to an equal amount of time with both parents.
If you cannot reach an agreement regarding the arrangements for the children, you can submit an application to the Court who will determine what arrangements are in the best interests of the children.
8. What happens once the divorce application has been submitted?
Following submission of the application for a no-fault divorce, the Court will review the application. If the application is approved, the Court will notify the Defendant via SMS in the first instance of the proceedings and will grant them access to the case documents. Both parties will also be notified via SMS of the date of the case management session where the assigned case manager will ensure that the case is prepared prior to submitting it to the Judge. Both parties or their legal representatives must attend the case management session. This helps ensure an efficient and speedy resolution of the dispute.
After the case management procedures have concluded, the case will be transferred to the Judge who will determine the outcome of the case.
9. How long does it take for the divorce judgment to be issued?
The Court aims to finalise the case within one month from the date the case was registered.
