Everything Foreigners Need to Know about Getting Married in Dubai

Dubai is a land of endless possibilities. Not only it is a beautiful landscape that inspires everyone to live on its shores, but it is also a booming economy and a hub for international trade. This means that it generates employment for thousands and thousands of people around the globe. It is not surprising to know why so many people across the globe want to settle down here, invest in real estate, and live out their fantasy of the ultimate urban lifestyle.

Its reputation as one of the safest places in the world to live draws expats from far and wide. Furthermore, the family-friendly climate of the city generated by top-notch educational centers, medical institutes, and law and order is among the countless reasons why this is a perfect place to start your new life. This is why so many people of foreign nationalities await the opportunity to marry and settle down here.

But what are some of the key aspects that you need to know before you decide to get married in Dubai? What are the requirements for marriage in Dubai? What is the procedure to get married in Dubai? What is the concept of online marriage in Dubai? We break down the answers to these and more as we help you prepare with all the vital information you need to know for marriage registration in Dubai.

Can Foreigners Get Married in Dubai?

Let us begin with the most relevant question to this topic. Yes, foreigners can get married in Dubai, and they can also buy properties in this ever attracting city. However, there are a couple of factors that need to be kept in mind. For the marriage to be recognized, it must be registered with the local courts or concerned embassies. For non-Muslim expats, the rules of marriage are determined by the laws of their respective nations.

The requirements and procedures for foreigners to get married in Dubai vary depending on the nationality, residency status, religion, and citizenship of the parties involved.

Civil Marriage in Dubai

Civil marriage refers to a lawful union of a consenting man and woman that is solemnized as a civil contract.

Traditionally, the laws of marriage in the UAE were designed and influenced by Islamic law, applicable to Muslim residents, due to the predominantly large Muslim population of the country. However, as the population of the UAE started becoming more diverse due to the settlement from various other nations and the demography became more and more multicultural, the need for implementing laws for non-Muslim residents was realized.

Therefore, the Government of the UAE announced a reform in its legal system in early 2021 and introduced civil marriage for non-Muslim residents. This path-breaking move played a pivotal role in modernizing the legal structures of marriage for non-Muslim residents and accentuated the appeal of the nation as a more tolerant place to nurture multiculturalism.

The civil marriage procedure in Dubai enables its non-Muslim residents to get married without having to undergo any religious ceremony. This has been a boon for interfaith couples and those who want to opt for a non-religious legal recognition of their union.

The Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for Non-Muslims states the regulation of family affairs for Muslim residents of the UAE. It also entails every family matter related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance in the country.

Taking into effect on 1 February 2023, it also gives them the option to either follow the laws of their home country or choose the alternative personal status laws that are in effect in the UAE over the provision of this Decree Law.

To elaborate further, it states the procedures to be followed for divorce which one can initiate singly or jointly. It also lays out the procedures to be maintained for settling the financial claims following a divorce, and the arrangement of joint custody of children. Moreover, it also states the procedures of wills, proofs of paternity, and inheritance.

Please note that this Decree Law is not applicable to Muslim residents as their marriages are governed by ‘Sharia’ or Islamic laws.

Dubai Court Marriage Requirements

As per the Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for Non-Muslims, the requirements to get married and registered with competent courts in Dubai are as follows.

• One of the parties in the couple must be a resident or citizen of Dubai.
• Both the parties must be 18 lunar years of age or above.
• The couple or their legal representatives must appear in person and submit the Power of the Attorney of the representative (if any).
• Both parties must submit their original identity proofs.
• All witnesses to the marriage must be men.
• All documents must be submitted in soft copies in PDF format. If the documents are in any other language other than Arabic, then a legal Arabic translation must be presented that is stamped by the Ministry of Justice in the UAE. If it is issued from outside the country, it must be verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of both the concerned country and the UAE, the UAE embassy of the concerned country, and the International Cooperation of the UAE.

For court marriages in Dubai, the following documents must be presented.

• A pre-marriage medical examination certificate that is issued by an authorized medical center in PDF format after presenting the original (to attest to the marriage Contract).
• Private Attested Power of Attorney in PDF format (in case of an agent).

Process of Getting Married in Dubai

Both Muslim and non-Muslim expats can get married in Dubai. However, the process, requirements, and laws of marriage are different for both of them. Here is a detailed guide to both.

For Muslims Expats

Muslim expats who are looking forward to getting married in Dubai have to follow certain guidelines that fall in line with the legal stipulations of Islamic cultural practices. This ensures that the marriage not only is legal in the eyes of the UAE law but also adheres to the traditions of Islam.

For Sharia marriage, you have to submit an e-application and make the payment of fees. Follow it up by contacting the accredited marriage officers upon which you will receive an approved e-certificate.

For a Muslim expat to get a Dubai court marriage certificate, the following aspects must be fulfilled.

• Both parties must be at least 18 years of age. Those under the age of 18 years must get a special nod from a judge beforehand.
• If one party is twice the age as the other, it requires a judge’s blessing.
• Both the parties, the father of the bride (or a proxy appointed by him), along with two male Muslim witnesses must be present physically at the ceremony.
• The bride must provide her legal guardian’s consent to marry. In case of the absence of the bride’s father, the next male kin (an uncle or brother) must step in.
• Divorced or widowed individuals must provide evidence of their divorce or death certificate respectively.
• If there is a Muslim bride with a non-Muslim father, a ‘No Objection Certificate’ must be procured from her home country’s consulate or embassy in the UAE.
• The marriage contract has to be registered with a UAE Sharia court to get legally approved.

For Non-Muslims Expats

The process of marriage for non-Muslim expats is significantly different from their Muslim counterparts. Dubai has a diverse population that emerges from the roots of various countries across the globe and the Emirate is highly accommodating and respectful of its cultural and religious diversity.

Article 1(1) of the UAE Personal Laws for Non-Muslims states, "The provisions of the present Decree-Law shall apply to non-Muslim citizens or the UAE, and to non-Muslim foreigners who reside in the State unless one of them invokes the application of their respective law, in relation to matters of marriage, divorce, estate will and proof of affiliation, without prejudice to Articles 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 of the reference Federal Law No. 5 of 1985."

Non-Muslim expats can get married in Dubai. The marriage can take place at the embassy or consulate of their respective country in the UAE or at a church or temple depending on their religion. A marriage certificate has to be obtained from the Dubai courts.

The following aspects must be fulfilled at a non-Muslim expat wedding in Dubai.

• Both the parties must be at least 18 years of age
• There has to be at least two witnesses present at the marriage ceremony.

Apart from these, each embassy can impose additional requirements that may vary from country to country. Usually, this involves the following.

• Birth certificates of the parties must be provided.
• Identity proofs of the witnesses.
• Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR)
• Proof of divorce or death certificate of previous spouse(s) must be provided (if any).

For civil marriages, you need to submit an e-application from approved centers and make a fee payment to get an approved e-certificate.

Dubai Court Marriage Fee

The issuance fee for a marriage certificate is set at AED 220, excluding the fee of the Marriage Official. However, it might be subject to change.

Online Marriage Registration in the UAE

For Muslim couples, you can apply online for the marriage contract on the website of Dubai Courts. Follow this by paying the certificate fee as mentioned on the website. The couple and their witnesses need to appear in court with all the relevant documents to officiate the wedding. If there is any document from the home country, then it must validated by the Foreign Ministry of the UAE.

For non-Muslim couples, you need to visit one of the service centers of Dubai Court and fill out a digital form. Once the designated person verifies and approves the consent of both the parties, the request will be confirmed and signed electronically and will be forwarded to the judge for approval and signature. After verifying the legal requirements, you will receive a civil marriage contract documented and approved electronically through email or text.

24-Hour Marriage Service in Dubai

In what is being hailed as a pioneering initiative by the government. Dubai has launched a civil marriage service for its non-Muslim residents that allows them to obtain a civil wedding license in just a matter of 24 hours.

However, to proceed with this civil marriage application in Dubai, you must fulfill the following conditions:

• Both you and your partner must be non-Muslims.
• At least one of the parties involved must be a resident of Dubai.
• Both of the parties must be at least 21 years old.
• The couple or their legally authorized representative must appear in person.
• Original identity proofs must be provided for the parties involved.
• Both parties must provide proof of their non-marital status.

Keep in mind that the documents have to be provided as soft copies in PDF format. In case your document is in any other language other than Arabic, then certified versions of Arabic translations must be provided. These translations must be stamped by the Ministry of Justice in the UAE.

Furthermore, any documents issued outside the UAE have to be duly certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE embassy of the concerned country as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE.

To Conclude

The multicultural nature of Dubai allows both Muslim and non-Muslim residents and expats to get married. As long as you fulfill the requirements set by the court marriage and civil marriage laws, you can happily tie the knot in this majestic city.

Make sure you understand the legalities of the type of wedding you are opting for so that your marriage certificate is approved smoothly. Hopefully, our guide has given you a better idea about marriage in the UAE for foreigners.

FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions about Getting Married in Dubai

Can you get married in Dubai on a visit visa?

A valid Emirates ID is required to legalize your marriage. So, you can’t get married in Dubai on a visit visa unless one of the bride or groom has a valid residency visa.

How to get married in Dubai court?

You need to apply for the marriage contract on the website of Dubai Court, pay the required fee, and be physically present in the court to present your documents along with your witnesses.

How can Indians get married in Dubai?

You need to present the relevant documents, pass the medical exam, and show residency status to get approved for marriage in Dubai.

How to register marriage in the UAE?

To register for marriage in the UAE, you need to visit the website of the Dubai Court or go to one of its service centers and fill out the digital form. The procedure for a civil and court marriage will differ from one another. You have to submit an e-application and make the payment of fees. Follow it up by contacting the accredited marriage officers upon which you will receive an approved e-certificate. Once the relevant documents are provided, they are sent for verification. Once approved, you will get your marriage certificate.

How to get married online in the UAE?

To get married online in the UAE, you have to use the UAE Pass account to apply for a marriage contract.

How to get a marriage certificate in Dubai?

You need to procure your marriage certificate from the marriage officer who officiated your wedding and get it attested with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Is a medical test for marriage in Dubai necessary?

Yes, a medical test before marriage is mandatory in Dubai.

Can tourists get married in Dubai?

Tourists can’t get married in Dubai unless at least one of the parties involved is a resident of Dubai.