Tim
This is MIRA Business FM. On the Morning Drive today, we continue our legal discussion with our guest, Ludmila Yamalova from LYLaw. We are focusing on marriage in the UAE — civil marriages for non-Muslims, Muslim marriages, and prenuptial agreements. We have spoken previously about the personal status law, which forms the overarching framework for these matters. Let us begin today with Muslim marriages in the UAE. Ludmila, how does the marriage process work for Muslims here?
Ludmila
For Muslims wishing to marry in the UAE, the process is administered through the courts. Each emirate has its own judicial authority, so the place of residence typically determines which court will process the application. It is entirely a court-based procedure: the marriage is officiated and legally registered under the umbrella of the courts.
This structure is particularly beneficial because many countries allow only a civil marriage through state institutions and treat a religious ceremony separately. In the UAE, Muslims can have a fully recognized Islamic marriage officially recorded by the government.
One key legal requirement historically has been the guardian (wali) for the bride. Traditionally, the guardian must be a male relative from the father’s side — the father first, then an uncle, and so on. If the male guardian refused consent, the court could act as guardian, but that process was not always smooth or consistent.
This meant women without a suitable guardian often had to travel abroad to marry, to places such as Egypt or Malaysia, where the interpretation of Islamic requirements differs.
However, under the new federal personal status law issued in April, the rules have been updated. A guardian can now be any family member, including the bride’s mother or sister. If no guardian is available, the court must assign a judge as guardian. It is no longer merely discretionary.
Application of this change is still evolving. Administratively, courts may still expect a male guardian unless documentation is provided to justify otherwise, but the legal language now offers significantly greater flexibility and autonomy for Muslim women.
Furthermore, the law allows Muslim women from countries where a guardian is not required — such as Egypt — to request marriage under those rules in the UAE.
Tim
That is a major shift. And on the civil marriage front, that development is very new in the UAE, correct?
Ludmila
Yes. Civil marriage was introduced in Abu Dhabi first, under a groundbreaking law issued in late 2021 and expanded in 2022. It became the first civil personal status law in the region and enabled any couple, even with no UAE residency, to marry through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD). It was efficient, digital, and internationally recognized.
Soon after, the federal personal status law for non-Muslims was issued, extending civil marriage availability across the UAE. However, implementation is still adapting in some emirates. For example, Dubai sometimes still requests documentation typically required in Muslim marriages — such as proof a woman is not currently married or the presence of a guardian, even though such requirements are not written into the civil law.
As a result, Abu Dhabi remains the most streamlined and reliable destination for civil marriages today: online application, verified documents, a scheduled appointment, and issuance of a digital marriage certificate with QR verification.
Tim
And just to clarify — this applies even to Muslims?
Ludmila
Yes. Under Abu Dhabi’s civil personal status law, any expat Muslim couple may opt for a civil marriage. The limitation applies only to UAE national Muslims, who must follow the Muslim marriage process. This applies not only to marriage, but also civil wills and inheritance matters, which Muslims may now execute under ADJD if they choose.
Tim
There is so much transformation happening in family law. We have not even touched on prenuptial agreements or custody yet, and we are already out of time. The pace of legal reform in the UAE is remarkable.
Ludmila
It is evolving rapidly and continuously. These changes are opening new options, protections, and clarity for both Muslim and non-Muslim residents, as well as for foreigners coming to the UAE specifically for marriage.
Tim
Ludmila Yamalova from LYLaw; thank you for joining us again on MIRA Business FM.
Ludmila
Thank you. Always a pleasure.
For the full visual experience, watch the episode on YouTube.
