An Easy Guide to Getting Married in Dubai

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An Easy Guide to Getting Married in Dubai

Planning a Dubai wedding is one thing, while officially getting married in Dubai is another. There are several regulations that govern marriage in Dubai, particularly for nonnationals.

Are you planning on getting officially married in Dubai? If so, keep in mind that Dubai offers different procedures depending on your nationality, religion, and residency status, and like other countries, there are certain legal requirements and conditions that must be met.

Under the Sharia Law applicable in the UAE, Dubai marriage is a legal bond for a man and a woman to establish a relationship and have children. Civil marriage laws were introduced in Dubai on 1 February 2023 allowing Non-Muslim couples getting married in Dubai to get their civil wedding licenses in just 24 hours.

Marriage in Islam is a legal contract between a man and a woman, aimed at safeguarding the rights of the couple and their children. The Dubai marriage contract should be registered in a Sharia court in the UAE, which ensures that the marriage meets legal requirements. For non-Islamic marriages, couples should contact their church or embassy and follow the marriage laws applicable there.

Find out the top wedding celebrants in Dubai here!

Here is an overview of marriage procedures and requirements for marriage in Dubai:

Islamic Marriage Procedure in Dubai:

At least one party to the marriage contract (husband, wife, or wife’s guardian) should have an employment or residence visas in Dubai. Spouses should bring their national ID and passports for proof of their identity and visa status.
A spouse’s age should not exceed double of their partner. If either spouse is less than 18 years of age, approval of the Chief Justice of Personal Status Court should be obtained.
You need to apply electronically using the Dubai Court's website (www.dubaicourts.gov.ae) before going to the courts. Dubai Courts offer online services for marriage applications through its portal. You will find an online Marriage Contract form to fill out. The form requires you to name 2 witnesses.
Once you submit the online application, you will receive a reference number by e-mail which you should mention during your visit to Dubai Courts.
Both of you should get a which is issued by a Dubai government hospital or a clinic. Pre-marital medical tests are mandatory in the UAE. The Certificate is issued a few days after you take your tests and you must collect it from the same healthcare center you tested at.
Both spouses should present themselves, along with the bride’s father and 2 Muslim male witnesses. In case, the bride’s father is no longer alive, a relevant death certificate to be shown and the presence of the closest male guardian is required (for example brother, uncle, cousin, adult son, nephew). If the bride’s father is alive but unable to come in person, he can delegate a proxy guardian who must be of the same religion as that of the bride’s father.
The fee for the marriage contract at Dubai Courts varies from AED 60 to AED 500 depending on the procedures. The authorized marriage officers at Dubai Courts will advise you on this.

Dubai Courts has more than 20 authorized marriage officers (Ma'zoons) to perform marriage ceremonies, draw up the marriage contract and check all documentation.

In addition to the conditions given above for a getting married in Dubai, there are other special conditions for newly converted Muslims, divorcees, widows, widowers and for marriage of UAE female with expatriates.

Newly converted female Muslims should submit ‘certificate of embracing Islam’ and certificates from any Islamic centre approved by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf).
Divorcees should submit official certificate / divorce judgement.
Widows and Widowers should submit death certificate of their late spouse.
All certificates not issued in the UAE should be legally translated into Arabic. Power of attorney and other certificates issued from a country outside the UAE should be legally translated and ratified by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that country, UAE Embassy of that country, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UAE Ministry of Justice.

Non-Islamic Marriage Procedure in Dubai:

For non-Islamic Marriages there are different procedures which also depend on the nationality and religion of the couple.
At least one of the couple must have a UAE residency.
Non-Muslims may not marry in Dubai Courts, but can get married in their embassy or a church. However, a Muslim man can get married to a non-Muslim woman in Dubai Courts.
2 witnesses are required who have to produce their IDs.
You need to have complete birth certificates, 10 year valid passports and photocopies, passports and photocopies of the 2 witnesses and the pre-marital medical certificate.
Your marriage certificate may need authentication by the Ministry of Justice. This authentication will have to be further authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Then, you need to visit your embassy, to obtain the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' authentication for using it in your own country.
Civil marriage laws were introduced in Dubai on 1 February 2023 allowing Non-Muslim couples getting married in Dubai to get their civil wedding licenses in just 24 hours. Read: Civil Marriage for Non-Muslims in Dubai Introduced

Wedding Venues in Dubai:

Dubai is full of many wonderful wedding venues, be it beach wedding venues, indoor ballrooms, desert oasis, yachts, gardens, golf courses.... there are many options. You will find our comprehensive directory of hotels and resorts in Dubai useful, as well as, our directories for clubs and unique venues and banquet halls in Dubai. Here are some useful lists for you to check out:

Review these wedding packages in Dubai to find an offer that matches your budget and requirements.

Wedding Planners and Suppliers in Dubai:

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For the full directory of wedding suppliers in Dubai click here.

If you want to know details about civil marriage in Abu Dhabi here!

An Easy Guide to Getting Married in Dubai

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