Abu Dhabi court marriage during the month of Ramadan is permitted and recognized under the UAE personal status legislations and civil marriage regulation. A legal restriction of registering a marriage during the holy month of Ramadan does not exist regardless of the Islamic or civil marriage.
Nevertheless, Ramadan can impact on the working hours of a court, the possibility of appointments, and social practices. One should know how the process works at this age stage.
This page describes the legal status, eligibility, process, schedules and logistics of court marriage in Abu Dhabi, which is going on during the time of Ramadan.
Does Abu Dhabi Allow Court Marriage During the Ramadan?
Yes. In Abu Dhabi, court marriage is allowed during Ramadan.
No UAE legislation that suspends or bans:
Marriage registration
Islamic marriage (Nikah)
during the month of Ramadan.
Courts still remain, they might have fewer shorter hours.
To see the local legal requirements and local legal documents required to do a marriage, see Abu Dhabi court marriage requirements.
Court Marriage Dubai
Consult with us: With over 20+ years of experience
Legal and Religious Perspective of Ramadan
Legal Perspective
Marriage registration is considered to be a civil and a family-law process. The legal status of marriage is not influenced by Ramadan. Marriage certificates issued in courts are not also invalid.
Religious and Social View
Ramadan is a month of fast, pray and decency. Marriage is not forbidden in Ramadan among Muslims. A good number of couples favor basic or intimate marriages.
Islamic marriages can still be traditional, like the Nikah ceremony UAE, which is normally done in a respectful manner and not in a large scale.
Whom Can Court Marriage Be Applied in Abu Dhabi in Ramadan?
During the Ramadan, court marriage may be done:
UAE residents
Expatriates
Mixed-nationality couples
Tourists and visitors (to be eligible)
Eligibility depends on:
Religion
Nationality
Marital status
Legal stay in the UAE
Paperwork to Get Married to Court (During Ramadan or at Any Time)
The paper work is not different during Ramadan.
Core Documents
Passports of both parties
UAE residence permit or entrance stamp
Emirates ID (if available)
Passport-size photographs
Evidence of marital status (single, divorced, widowed)
Additional Documents (Where Necessary)
Certificate of divorce or death
Medical fitness certificate or marriage medical test Dubai
If necessary, premarital screening UAE
Any foreign document should be certified and translated to Arabic where necessary. To get the entire list, refer to paperwork for marriage in UAE.
Marriage in Abu Dhabi (Ramadan) at Court
Step 1: Marriage Type
The court determines whether the marriage is going to be Islamic (Sharia law) or a civil marriage. Conceptualizing the Nikah vs civil marriage difference will assist in avoiding rejection.
Step 2: Document Verification
The papers are examined in terms of legal validity, due attestation and suitability of jurisdiction.
Step 3: Submit Application
The application of marriage is submitted to the Abu Dhabi court.
Step 4: Court Appointment
The two parties have to be represented in person. Passers and observers are present when necessary. Ramadan can restrict the time of appointment, thus it is better to book in advance.
Step 5: Marriage Contract
Signed in the presence of either a licensed judge or registrar, the marriage contract.
Step 6: Marriage Certificate Issued
The official marriage certificate is provided and registered.
Timelines During Ramadan
Typical processing times:
1–3 working days on document preparation
Court appointment: 3–7 days of work
Issue of certificates: same or not more than 2 working days
The timelines could be slightly increased during Ramadan because of decreased hours in courts.
Legal Recognition and Legal Validity
A marriage solemnized at Abu Dhabi at Ramadan is acceptable in all Emirates. Attestation and embassy legalization might be necessary to be used internationally. The month of registration does not have any influence on marriage validity.
Common Misconceptions
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| It is forbidden to marry during Ramadan | ❌ False |
| Ramadan Courts are closed | ❌ False |
| It is not possible to do Nikah during Ramadan | ❌ False |
| In Ramadan, civil marriage is suspended | ❌ False |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to get married in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan by expats?
Yes. Expats and tourists can legally marry in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan. The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court remains operational for non-Muslim civil marriages throughout the holy month, provided all documentation and eligibility requirements are met.
Do the courts have different working hours during Ramadan?
Yes. During Ramadan, court working hours are reduced across the UAE. Typically, the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court operates from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM (Monday to Thursday) and 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Fridays. It is highly recommended to book appointments 4–6 weeks in advance due to these limited slots.
Is pregnancy a problem for marriage registration during Ramadan?
No. Pregnancy does not exclude or delay the possibility of marriage registration during Ramadan. Under current UAE laws, couples can proceed with their civil or religious marriage registration regardless of pregnancy status, ensuring legal clarity for the future birth of the child.
Can a marriage ceremony be conducted online during Ramadan?
Yes, online marriage is possible in specific instances. For Muslim expats, the Sharia courts offer a fully remote “e-marriage” service. For non-Muslim civil marriages, while the application is done online, the couple usually must attend a brief in-person or virtual signing session as authorized by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
Court Marriage Dubai
Consult with us: With over 20+ years of experience
Conclusion
Abu Dhabi Court marriage can take place during the month of Ramadan and it is lawful and recognized by the UAE law. Although there is a possibility that religious and cultural factors are factored in the process of couples making their decisions to celebrate, all legal procedures remain the same.
Early planning is also advisable since there might be changes on court working hours and availability of appointments during Ramadan.
