Abu Dhabi marriage Court marriage provides couples with a legal means of formalizing their relationship at the Abu Dhabi Judicial department. This is especially appropriate to expatriates, non-Muslims that would like to have a civil marriage structure instead of a religious one. A civil marriage is a court union that provides spouses with specific rights and duties according to the legislation of the UAE.
The two must also satisfy certain legal requirements to qualify such as the one which states that they should not be related closely to one another by blood. The marriage is registered and the couple is accorded official status and this is necessary in issues like residence, right to inheritance, family visa and other legal activities in the UAE.
The court marriage in Abu Dhabi is normally streamlined compared to religious marriages being undertaken in church, temple, or mosque. It will require one to sign a marriage contract in front of a court-appointed marriage officer and in the presence of two male witnesses. This streamlined process lowers the complexity of the procedure and fully complies with the laws.
The Civil marriage in Abu Dhabi is allowed to all nationalities and religions except UAE nationals who are subject to more stipulations of law. The system is indicative of the interest of the UAE in inclusivity, modernization, and conformity to the global civil institution of marriage.
What does it take to marry in Abu Dhabi Court?
The court marriage registration will require a full set of documents to be submitted by the applicants. These are necessities that verify identity, legality and also adherence to local regulations. The documents which are required might be a bit different according to nationality and personal conditions.
The standard documentation entails:
- Family book (original and copy), which may be used only with the UAE nationals.
- Passport (copy and original) of a non-UAE or expatriate.
- Medical fitness certificate by a recognized medical authority, which is required in case one of the parties is a UAE national.
- Both male witnesses should have valid visa, passport and Emirates ID (copy and original).
- Authentic visa, passport and Emirates ID (copy and original) of both to the marriage.
- Identification document (passport, visa, and Emirates ID) of the legal guardian or attorney in case he/she has one.
- Sending the correct and current documents will contribute to preventing the delays or refusal of the application.
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What are the Conditions that a couple must meet to get married in Abu Dhabi Court?
There are certain conditions concerning the legal requirements of couples in the area of their nationality, religion, or personal background. The Abu Dhabi Court considers individual cases to guarantee the adherence to the UAE family law.
The legal requirements of civil marriage of non-Muslims in Abu Dhabi are:
- The two should be over 18 years old when they get married.
- The marriage should be in free and informed consent between them.
- Both parties are supposed to sign a legal document that they are not married to any other party.
Civil marriage applicants do not need to seek parental or guardian consent to marry, as well as in most instances do not have to provide a premarital medical screening certificate. This renders civil marriage to be an adaptable and convenient choice to all the expatriate couples.
Pre-requisites of Marrying an Expat Man and Emirati Woman
In case an Emirati woman is planning to marry a man who is not a UAE citizen, the extra protection of the legislation is offered to secure the interests of the nation and individual rights.
The conditions include:
- In the case of an Emirati bride, the legal guardian of the bride must be present and exemption by the court is not allowed.
- The Emirati bride has to be of original citizenship, and not of dependency or naturalization by others.
- The expatriate groom has to have an established nationality and he should not be stateless.
- The expatriate groom must have a certificate of good conduct, which is issued by the UAE authorities.
- The groom who is not a UAE national should be of legal residence in UAE.
- The expatriate groom has to submit a criminal clearance certificate.
- Any failure to fulfil any of these conditions can lead to the rejection of the marriage application.
Conditionalities in the case where there is no guardian to help in court marriage in Abu Dhabi.
The court uses certain provisions in situations where a legal guardian is not available to provide fairness and legality.
- In case the woman is above 21 years of age, the judge can take the position of the guardian, unless in the case of Emirati women.
- When the groom is Emirati national, the bride has to provide official documents of the guardianship, i.e. succession certificate, legal inheritance.
These practices will make sure that the marriage is conducted in a lawful way without going against the family and cultural practices.
Female Minors Conditions
Female minors are individuals aged 11 to 17 years. Marriages of female minors are strictly stipulated by the UAE legislation.
A matrimonial union between a girl who is less than 18 lunar years may not be conducted in absence of a written consent by a competent judge.
The UAE Minors Marriage Committee should also provide a permission.
These are measures set to ensure the wellbeing of the minors and safeguard against illegal or forced marriage.
Requirements for UAE Army, Police, Ministry/Dept. of Foreign Affairs Employees:
The employees in sensitive areas of government are also exposed to further marriage approval conditions. Any employee who is interested in marrying a UAE citizen needs to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) within the given authority.
This is in the case of armed forces, police and foreign affairs personnel.
The authorization makes sure that it complies with the national security policies and regulations.
The conditions of GCC National Marrying a Non-GCC National.
There are certain approval requirements that GCC nationals wishing to engage in marriage with non-GCC nationals have to undergo.
A consent form issued by the concerned authority in the country of GCC national has to be submitted.
This document should be certified by UAE Ministry/Department of Foreign Affairs, unless the nationals of Oman have to be certified, which is not obligatory.
Requirements for Yemeni Woman Marrying a Man Not from Yemen:
In both countries, the rules in the case of Marriage of Yemeni Woman to a Man not Yemeni are different. Yemeni women marrying other non-Yemeni nationals need special documentation.
The bride has to offer official consent by the Yemeni authorities. The UAE Ministry/Department of Foreign Affairs should attest the consent document and submit it.
Condition of a UAE National of the Emirate of Ajman with the Passport of Ajman.
There are certain jurisdictional cases that need to be approved.
- In case a UAE citizen has a passport issued by Ajman and marries non-GCC national, he or she has to seek the Ajman Sharia Court approval.
This consent has to be provided to the Abu Dhabi Court before registration of a marriage.
Bahrain and Saudi National requirements
- Bahraini and Saudi nationalities who are marrying the opposite nationalities have to fulfil extra consent specifications.
- A written consent form of the country of the partner is needed.
- The UAE Ministry/ Department of Foreign Affairs must attest the document.
What are the Cases in which the consent of a judge is necessary in Abu Dhabi Court Marriage?
Certain circumstances require judicial consent to promote equity and legality.
The case requires the consent of Judge in cases where:
- Intermarriage amongst non-Muslims.
- A bride without a legal guardian.
- Cases in which the age gap is vast i.e. a groom who is at least twice the age of the bride.
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Marriage Attorney: Lawyers in Abu Dhabi
Applying to a court marriage in Abu Dhabi may be cumbersome especially when one is required to have different needs depending on his or her nationality, career or even personal status. Delays or rejection can be caused by procedural mistakes, lack of documentation or wrong approvals.
Marriage lawyers are professionals that help couples with all the aspects of court marriage including preparation of all necessary documents, making appointments and representing at the court. The legal experts make sure there is correct communication with Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and other authorities, where a couple can easily complete the process in a legal manner.
Couple with professional legal help, the couple does not have to go through unwanted complexities and makes sure that marriage is registered without any issue and that it is done in full adherence to the UAE laws.

