Abu Dhabi Government issued Law No. 14 of 2021 Concerning Personal Status for non-Muslim Foreigners. This legislative act is designed to underscore the significance of formalizing the marital relationship, with its primary goal of protecting the rights of both spouses and, importantly, the rights of children. In this article, we will explore the civil marriage procedures in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, shedding light on Why it was issued, its Types, requirements, and ceremony.

What is a Civil Marriage?

According to Article 7, a marriage is considered civil when it is conducted and officially recorded in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations without regard to any specific religious law. Through this marriage, residents of the UAE holding Emirates ID can get married, as well as non-residents. Furthermore, it permits marriage when one spouse is a resident, and the other is a visitor if they are in the UAE.

Article 8 stipulates the conditions for concluding a civil marriage, which are:

• Both spouses need to be at least 18 years old.
• The free will of the spouses.
• The mental capacity of the spouses.
• No forbidden kinship between spouses (brothers, children, uncles, or aunts)
• Both spouses are not in any existing marital relationship.
• Neither spouse can be an Emirati

Civil Marriage in Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Requirements:

• Passport copy.
• UAE residence visa (if applicable).
• Emirates ID copy (if applicable).
• Active UAE PASS App (if applicable).
• Declaration that they are not married.
• Marriage application form.
• Proof of divorce, if divorced.
• Copy of death certificate of deceased wife or husband, if widowed.

Types of Civil Marriage in Abu Dhabi Judicial Department:

According to ADJD, there are 2 types of civil marriage:

• Standard Civil Marriage: The court will choose the date and time subject to availability. The entire procedure can take from 2 to 3 weeks.
• Express Marriage: Gives the spouses the chance to select the date and time of the ceremony. The entire procedure can take from 2 to 3 days.

Civil Marriage in Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Ceremony:

The ceremony takes place in the Civil Family Court in ADJD main court building, within the working hours of the civil family court which are: From 9:00AM to 1:30PM Monday to Thursday, and from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Friday. The ceremony takes around 15 minutes. Spouses can exchange rings and include their own vows; they can also bring guests to the marriage ceremony such as family and friends and take pictures/ videos.

After the ceremony, the spouses will receive the marriage certificate within 3 days in the standard civil marriage, or immediately after the ceremony in the express civil marriage. To make the marriage valid outside the UAE, it needs to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Civil Marriage in Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Fees:

The standard civil marriage fee is 300 AED. While the express civil marriage cost 2,500 AED. If the spouses decide to submit a marriage/pre-nuptial agreement, they’ll have to pay an additional 950 AED.

How can we help you at POA.ae?

Our team of experienced professionals is committed to facilitating your marriage procedure. We will meticulously prepare all requisite documentation, secure a court appointment on your behalf, guide you through the entire process, and further assist in obtaining the necessary attestation of your certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.