The marriage of Filipino and Indian citizens in the UAE is not prohibited legally provided that the two of them adhere to the laws on the personal status in the UAE and to the practices established by the courts. The precise procedures are based on the religion, marital status, the residence or visitor status, and Islamic or civil marriage.
Your marriage can be rejected or not recognised in case you fail to satisfy the legal qualifications of a particular jurisdiction.
This guide discusses the entire legal process of Filipino-Indian marriages in the UAE including the eligibility, documentation, process in court, time line, cost, legal validity and frequent reasons on why such a marriage is denied.
What Does Marriage Registration in the UAE?
The legal process of marriage registration is the official legalisation of a marital relationship and its registration by the UAE courts and government. Upon registration, the court provides a certified marriage certificate which is used as legal evidence of a marriage.
In the case of Filipino and Indian couples, legal framework is based on:
• Religion of both parties
• Residency or visitor status
• The type of marriage in the UAE is Islamic or civil
Any marriage that has not been registered before the court is considered invalid in the UAE.
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The importance of Marriage Registration
Registration of marriage is needed to:
• Have the status of husband and wife
• Sponsor a spouse to get UAE residence visa
• Child registration and birth certificates
• Financial rights, insurance and access inheritance
• Secure appreciation by UAE and international rulers
A wrong registration may cause issues in regards to visas or children records or even the necessity to alter the marriage date of the correct parents.
Is Marriage between Filipino and Indian Citizens in UAE?
Yes. The Filipino and Indian citizens are also eligible to marry in the UAE legally provided that they fulfill the eligibility requirements in the courts and present full documentation.
They can marry through:
• Islamic marriage (in case both are Muslims)
• UAE civil marriage that applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims
Mixed-nationalities marriages are also allowed in the UAE courts, as long as the law is observed.
Who Can Apply?
The UAE allows marriage between Filipino and Indian individuals in the country.
• UAE residents
• There are instances where tourists as well as expatriates who are legally residing in the UAE
Bases of Jurisdiction and procedure are dependent on the visa status and type of marriage.
Paperwork needed to marry a Filipino and Indian in UAE
Mandatory Documents
• Original passport of both parties
• UAE residence visa or entry stamp which is valid
• Emirates ID (if available)
• Passport-size photographs
• Evidence of marital status (single / divorced / widowed)
Filipino-Specific Requirement
• CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) – see Get CENOMAR Dubai
Case-Specific Documents
• Divorce decree or death certificate (in case they were married before)
• Islamic marriage guardian (Wali) papers
• The Nikah will be performed by two Muslim men witnesses
• Certificate of medical fitness, marriage medical test or premarital screening in the UAE, where necessary
The foreign documents should be attested and translated to the Arabic language. Depending on specific circumstances, the courts may demand some supplementary paperwork.
The process of getting married for Indians and Filipino in the UAE (Step by step)
Step 1: Ascertain Law to Be Applied
The court makes a decision on whether the marriage would go on as:
• Islamic marriage under the Sharia law
• Civil marriage in the UAE laws
Before applying it is imperative to understand the distinction between Nikah and civil marriage.
Step 2: Document Verification
All the documents are checked with:
• Legal validity
• Attestation status
• Correct jurisdiction
Step 3: Application Court Marriage
The marriage application is presented to the qualified court usually by Dubai Courts or the concerned authority depending on the residence. There are couples who draw parallels between eligibility and other Emirates including Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.
Step 4: Court Appearance
Both sides should be in the presence, guardians and witnesses should be there where necessary. There are limited instances where an online marriage can be in the UAE.
Step 5: Marriage Contract Performance
The contract of marriage is signed in the presence of a qualified judge or registrar. The Islamic marriages are guided by Islam marital practices in the UAE and the Nikah ceremony in the UAE.
Step 6: Marriage Certificate is issued
The official marriage certificate is made and registered. These civil marriages can subsequently be embassy legalized or an attestation embarked upon.
Cost and Timeline
Cost Depends On
• Matrimonial type (Islamic or civil)
• Nationality of spouses
• Requirements of attestation and translation
Timeline
• Preparation of the documentation: 2-7 working days
• Court appointment: 1-3 days
• Issue of certificate: Within 2 working days or same day
Validity in the law and Recognition by the embassy
Married in the UAE is legalized in all Emirates. MOFA and embassy legalization might be necessary to be used in other countries. The marriage requirements at the Philippine embassy must be followed by Filipino nationals.
Reasons and Mistakes of common rejection with Indian and Filipino Marriage
| Issue | Result |
|---|---|
| Missing CENOMAR | Rejected Application |
| Unattested foreign documents | Processing stopped |
| Having made a wrong choice of marriage type | Legal rejection |
| Invalid visa status | Marriage is not allowed |
| Lost witnesses or guardian | Rescheduling of appointment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to marry in UAE without religious conversion between Filipino and Indian citizens?
Yes, through civil marriage.
Are there any requirements of CENOMAR among Filipino citizens?
Yes, in most cases.
Is it possible to get married in the UAE by tourists?
In restricted situations, on qualification.
Is a medical test compulsory?
It depends on the rules of the court and nationality.
Is the marriage legal in India and the Philippines?
Yes, with due attestation, and legalization of embassies.
Is it possible to fix marriage records later on?
No, by way of court proceedings.
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Conclusion
Marriage between UAE and Filipino and Indian citizens is allowed within the country provided that the right legal structure, paperwork and court proceedings are observed. The conditions are different based on the religion, the Residency status, and the nationality. By doing the process properly, full legal recognition will be achieved in the UAE and abroad.
