A non-Muslim family court system for expatriates has been introduced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It introduced a new system in which it is quite easy for non-Muslim expatriates to get a civil marriage license in Dubai within 24 hours. This is truly an initiative towards making it much easier to get married in the country than ever. Yet, one should underline that the new personal status law will be applied only upon request; otherwise, the old one will be taken while considering marriage.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
According to the official website of the Government, Dubai’s civil marriage service was offered to non-Muslims living in Dubai. It offers an opportunity for couples to get a license for the completion of the wedding ceremony in just 24 hours.
Conditions
For the purpose of a civil marriage application to be considered in Dubai, there are the following conditions to be met:
- The two parties must be non-Muslim
- Either of them has to be a resident of Dubai
- The age of the couple must not be less than 21 years old
- The couple, or their legally authorized representatives, must be present in person.
- Original identification documents are to be made available, proving who they are.
- Their single status must be proved.
Note:
- The documents must be submitted as soft copies in PDF format.
- For documents in a language other than Arabic, certified Arabic translations, stamped by the Ministry of Justice in the UAE are required.
- Documents issued from outside the UAE, must also be duly certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country concerned, the UAE embassy in that country, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE.
How to Apply for a Civil Marriage License in Dubai
Application for a civil marriage license is pretty easy and not time-consuming in Dubai. The step-by-step process for how visitors in Dubai get a civil marriage contract in 24 hours follows:
Applying for a civil marriage license in Dubai is easy and can be rather fast. Herein follows the step-by-step process of how visitors can get a civil marriage contract within 24 hours in Dubai:
- Approach a Dubai Courts Service Centre: Applicants are required to approach any of the service centers of the Dubai Courts to initiate the process.
- Digital Form: A digital form to be filled by the applicants will be provided. It will have personal information and the required documentation is to be filed in PDF format.
- Verification of Consent: There shall be an employee designated for this purpose at the service center for verifying the consent of the marriage parties, with a view to satisfying that they are entering into a marriage out of their free will.
- Electronic Signature: After verification by the employee concerned, both parties to the marriage would electronically sign the marriage document.
- Review by Judge: After that, the electronically signed document will be sent to the judge for checking whether everything is according to the law.
- Final Approval: A marriage contract will be considered as finalized after the verification of the judge with a signature.
- Receiving the Marriage Certificate: After approval from the judge, the marriage contract is documented and approved on an electronic basis; applicants are informed about receiving a marriage certificate via SMS and email.
Marriage Conditions and Restrictions
As per Article 2 of the Cabinet Resolution No. (122) of 2023, for a civil marriage contract to be established, the following conditions shall be met:
- Both the husband and wife must have attained at least (21) twenty-one Gregorian years.
- The married couples must have the legal capacity necessary to undertake legal actions.
- The civil marriage shall be executed between a male and a female.
- The married couple must explicitly express their consent to marriage.
- Marriage shall not take place between brothers, sons, grandchildren, paternal uncles, maternal uncles, or relatives up to the third degree.
- The marriage shall not take place between the adopted child and the father or mother in the alternative family or any of their natural children.
- Never marry two sisters, a wife and her mother, maternal aunt, paternal aunt, or grandmother, if the legislation, to which the husband is subject, permits polygamy.
Cost of Dubai Civil Marriage License
Getting a civil wedding license in Dubai is comparatively low in cost. The cost includes a service fee amounting to AED 220 and a court fee amounting to AED 262 with total of 482 AED. This process is easy to ensure no couple has to face much hassle and high expense to get the marriage license.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does Dubai’s new civil marriage law mean tourists or visitors can get married?
A: Yes, it is permissible for foreign visitors who meet the eligibility requirement to obtain a civil marriage license in Dubai.
Q: I am planning to get a civil marriage in Dubai. Will the marriage certificate issued be recognized internationally?
A: Yes, a civil marriage certificate issued in Dubai has recognition all over the world for official purposes.
Q: Would we require any witnesses for conducting a civil marriage ceremony in Dubai?
A: No, under the new act there is no requirement to bring a witness to a civil marriage ceremony.
How Marriage Lawyers at Dubai Court Marriage Can Help You
The marriage license for civil marriage is a bit tricky to handle, especially when the parties are not well aware of the local laws and regulations. Dubai Court Marriage offers professional services with its experienced marriage lawyers. We provide detailed guidance and full assistance in the whole process, completing all formalities, making sure that the requirements are fulfilled, obtaining your marriage certificate as soon as possible in the smoothest way with no hassle. Contact us today to understand how we can make your civil marriage in Dubai seamless.
By taking into consideration these steps, the tourists visiting Dubai will find it easy to understand the process involved when trying to get a civil marriage license and appreciate the advantages offered by the UAE in its new liberal laws on marriage.
