Couples in UAE, particularly in Abu Dhabi, can legalize or formalize their relationship legally by undergoing court marriage in Abu Dhabi Court. A court marriage allows a couple to have civil partnership as their legal designation. The two people marrying in Abu Dhabi Court must meet the conditions, which includes no relation to each other in terms of blood). Through court marriage at the Abu Dhabi Court, a couple receives special legal rights, as well as a new set of responsibilities.
Registration of a court marriage can be a lot simpler, most especially in comparison to traditional marriage in churches or temples. A couple must sign the marriage contract in front of the marriage officer and two male witnesses.
Read more: Why you need witnesses for Court Marriage in UAE?
Requirements to Marry in Abu Dhabi Court
- Family book (copy and original, applies to UAE Nationals)
- Passport (copy and original, applies to expatriates or non-UAE Nationals)
- Original medical examination certificate (must be issued by an approved medical board, applies to both contracting parties to a marriage)
- Emirates IDs for two male witnesses (copy and original)
- Emirates IDs for the engaged couple (copy and original)
- Emirates ID for the attorney or guardian of the bride or groom (copy and original)
Read more: Why you need a guardian to get married in the UAE?
Conditions that a couple has to meet in order to get married in Abu Dhabi Court
Here are the following:
Conditions applicable to marriage between an expat man and UAE national woman:
- UAE national bride that wants to partake in a court marriage in Abu Dhabi Court must not be have her citizenship through dependence.
- The expatriate man or non-UAE national husband must have a nationality and not be considered as a stateless man.
- Man who has proposed must be a legal resident in UAE.
- Expatriate groom marrying a UAE national bride must be able to present a criminal record certificate.
Condition if no guardian will be available for the court marriage in Abu Dhabi Court:
- Woman must be able to present evidence thereof (legal succession notice or certificate of succession)
Condition for female minors
- Marriage involving a female minor of less than eighteen lunar years must not be completed if there was no written consent by a competent judge and from the UAE Minors Marriage Committee
You should know – Requirements for civil marriage in Abu Dhabi UAE
Condition for men and women from UAE Armed Forces
- If a member of the country’s armed forces wishes to marry a non-UAE national, he or she has to obtain a special permission issued by the Armed Forces
Condition for UAE Ministry/Dept. of Foreign Affairs employees
- If an employee of MOFA wishes to marry a non-UAE national, there must be special permission provided for by the Ministry
Condition for a GCC national marrying a non-GCC national
- For a GCC national (either man or woman) to marry a non-GCC national, he or she must submit a document that proves consent from the relative country which also has to be attested by UAE Ministry/Dept. of Foreign Affairs
Condition for Yemini woman marrying a man not from Yemen
- For a Yemini woman to marry a man not of the same nationality as her, there has to be a document that proves consent from her country. The said document must undergo MOFA attestation.
Condition for a UAE national that holds passport issued by Emirate of Ajman
- If a UAE national wants to marry his bride from a non-GCC country and the man has a passport issued by emirate of Ajman, consent of Ajman Sharia Court must be provided to Abu Dhabi Court before a marriage can proceed.
Condition for nationals of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
- If a national of Bahrain or Saudi Arabia wishes to marry in Abu Dhabi with a bride or groom that is of a different nationality, there must be a document provided providing consent from bride or groom’s country. The document must undergo proper process of attestation of the UAE Ministry/Dept. of Foreign Affairs.
Find more: How to Marry in Sharjah?
Cases wherein consent from a judge is required for Abu Dhabi Court Marriage:
- Marriage between non-Muslim individuals
- A fiancée that has no guardian
- A contracting party or the contracting parties don’t hold documents that indicate their nationalities or if the contracting parties don’t have legal UAE residence
- A contracting party or the couple is less than eighteen lunar years
- If the fiancé’s age is twice the age of the fiancée or more
You may want to know: Get Married in Ras Al Khaimah: What are the requirements?
Marriage Lawyers in Abu Dhabi
In order for you to get married with your partner in Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, you need to file for court marriage. There are a lot of issues that can arise when making an appointment, especially when requirements can vary depending on the circumstance of each contracting party to a marriage.
At Dubai Court Marriage, our marriage lawyers in UAE will handle the entire process of your court marriage, helping ensure an effective communication between you, the court, and the higher authorities. For more information, call us!
