Marriage laws differ from country to country, and even within each country, from state to state. It’s typically tricky, with a few exceptions. The number of couples who choose to marry outside of their nation has risen dramatically. Destination weddings are all the rage among millennials, and many young couples have put a destination wedding in the UAE at the top of their wish list.
Dubai is centrally placed between Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it a very accessible destination for visitors worldwide. It is home to many world-famous attractions, ultra-luxury hotels, and high-end shopping centers.
If you’ve been fascinated by Dubai and have decided to hold your destination wedding there, here are some things you should know:
Legal Requirements
There are various ways to marry in the UAE, but the simplicity with which you may complete the paperwork and how long it takes to complete it depends on your country and residence status. The documentation must be completed according to a specified method and within a specific timeframe, and certain requirements must be satisfied. Additionally, the Islamic and non-Islamic wedding documentation procedures differ.
- To marry in Dubai, at least one spouse must be a city resident.
- Many various religions have representatives in Dubai who can perform a religious wedding ceremony, or you can bring in a marriage officiant from your own country.
- To be legally binding, a marriage certificate written in English must be translated into Arabic. It may need obtaining a resident visa.
- If no one in the wedding ceremony is a Dubai resident, a frequent option to avoid the problem is to complete the marriage process overseas and then plan a destination wedding in the UAE.
Couple must meet a list of requirements to Marry in Dubai:
In other words, to marry in Dubai, the couple must meet a list of requirements. Here are a few conditions:
- Couple’s age
A woman must be at least 18 years old to marry, while a guy must be at least 21.
- Residence Visa
In Dubai, at least one spouse must have a residency visa. Both the guy and the lady should hold a resident visa in different regions of the UAE.
- Pre-marital examination
The pre-marital screening certificate from the health authorities should be presented by both the bride and the Groom. Every other day, many individuals register their marriage contracts, all of which are done following Dubai’s legal criteria for getting married.
You may want to know: You need a guardian to get married in the UAE
Here are some crucial considerations to make before getting married in Dubai:
- Formal documents for marriage
Marriage contracts should be recorded with the Sharia court in the UAE for Muslim weddings. It ensures that the wedding complies with all Muslim wedding legal obligations.
The wedding procedures are straightforward for UAE nationals. All that is required for the wedding ceremony is:
- A groom and a bride, together with her legal guardians and
- Two Muslim witnesses.
- A pre-marital certificate for inheritable disorders should also be acquired from a government hospital or clinic.
Emiratis can use the UAE marriage fund for financial assistance and marriage counselling if they need it. If the couple cannot afford a wedding, a mass wedding might be recorded. The presence of a guardian is a significant issue in most situations since most fathers will not allow an Emirati daughter to marry a non-Emirati man. In this situation, the Groom or guy should be a Muslim.
- Residents of Dubai who are ex-pats
Dubai is home to a diverse population of individuals from many countries. That is why marriage rituals are such an important issue.
For Muslim ex-pats to marry in Dubai, they must meet several requirements.
- To be married, one of the parties must be a UAE resident or hold a UAE residence or employment visa.
- Identification cards, passports, visa status, and a pre-marital certificate must be shown to confirm their identification.
- There should be a guardian for Muslim women’s representation since they cannot represent themselves. In other words, a woman cannot marry without the presence of a guardian.
- Marriages between non-Muslims
The nationality of each partner determines the wedding procedure for non-Islamic weddings. In the United Arab Emirates, a Muslim man can marry a non-Muslim woman, while a non-Muslim man cannot marry a Muslim woman.
Rather than using the courts, Non-Muslims can marry in Dubai through their respective embassies. Different non-Muslim couples marry in churches, but they must follow all church processes for document attestation and those of their embassies and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice.
Read more about: Making your wedding destination legal without the hassle
Locations for Weddings
Consider the severe alcohol distribution restrictions while organizing a vacation wedding in Dubai. Because hotels are the only sites in Dubai permitted to serve alcohol, nearly all couples opt to marry in one of the city’s world-class hotels.
Your destination wedding is being planned. Legal matters in Dubai may be complicated. Hire Dubai Court Marriage services to assist you with making your big day wonderful to save yourself the worry and make your wedding planning stress-free!
