Civil Marriages in UAE
Civil marriages can now be legally registered in all Emirates of the UAE. This development provides a whole new range of legal avenues for non-Muslim residents and citizens in terms of giving legitimacy to their unions.
The development represents a significant step forward in the country’s evolving legal system that has historically only allowed the registration of Muslim marriages. The UAE Federal Civil Personal Status Law No. 41 of 2022, which came into effect on February 1, 2023, allows non-Muslims to apply for a civil marriage license anywhere in the country.
Pursuant to the new law, civil marriages of non-Muslims are registered at the local courts of the respective Emirate. This is taken care of by a specialized notary judge to ensure all due diligence in the legality. The new development increases the scope of legally recognizing unions for non-Muslims and further strengthens the UAE’s attempt to accommodate its diverse population.
Following are the key qualifications a couple must possess in order to qualify for a civil marriage in the UAE:
• Age and Gender. One man and one woman, at least 21 years of age.
• Single Status. Parties shall be unmarried upon contracting marriage. This also means they must declare that they do not have a wife/husband.
• Consensual and Non-Incestuous. The marriage must be fully consensual between the two, and the relationship must not be incestuous. In other words, a couple cannot be close blood relations.
In addition to the civil registration of marriages, at the time of registration, couples are also given the opportunity to formalize other important legal documents. These include :
• Marriage Contracts. Usually called prenuptial agreements, these are contracts that enable a couple to state how their marriage and divorce shall occur in case of an event. These agreements can state the terms on how the division of assets, financial matters, and other terms relevant to both parties can be conducted.
• Wills. The parties can have a joint filing of wills along with marriage on the same side. A will indicates the distribution that each party shall make of his assets and interests after his or her death, so that his or her wishes will be legally protected.
This law is an example of how the UAE is committed to framing a legal system that is more inclusive and recognizes the rights of its population who belong to different religious backgrounds. The law not only simplifies the process of marrying but gives a comprehensive legal framework that supports them both personally and financially.
Civil Marriages in UAE | FAQ
Yes, prior to this federal law, civil marriages were available in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi only. However, now it is applicable across all Emirates.
At a high level, civil marriages in UAE are registered in the local Courts, of the relevant Emirate, before a specialized notary judge.
The right to civil marriage in UAE is open to all non-Muslim residents and citizens in the country.
In order to qualify for civil marriage in UAE:
- The couple must be a man and woman, of at least 21 years of age.
- Both of them must be single.
- And, the marriage must be consensual
Yes, now non-Muslim civil marriages can have a marriage contract, outlining the terms of their marriage and divorce.
