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Rules of Second Marriage in the UAE

Marriage is a legal connection between a man and a woman, a legal right violating which can be regarded as a crime, therefore they have the right to be together and form a family and defend their rights as well as those of their children. When a man and a woman are marrying first time, it is quite simple. Nonetheless, when an individual decides to marry again, or rather, he remarries in the United Arab Emirates, he should be able to know the relevant laws and regulations. The ritual which is used on a remarriage and the practices of marriage are similar. In this case, however, there are other legal formalities. This article will also discuss the regulations of second marriages in Dubai and how the Dubai court marriages can become a roadmap to your as you finalize your remarriage process in the UAE. 

The second marriage should be considered by the applicant because the marriage has a number of financial, legal and personal factors to be factored. In case there are children of the previous marriage, they should be handled and not bothered in any way. Consequently, one should be careful when preparing a remarriage in the United Arab Emirates and must validate it in all aspects after giving justice to the former husband and children.

The legalities of a second marriage in the UAE

An application for remarriage must be submitted to the local court, just like with the first marriage. However, a second marriage, often known as a remarriage, requires extra paperwork and is a little more difficult. In this instance, the list of papers is a little longer, but don’t worry, we’ll explain everything here to make the procedure easy for you. 

In the United Arab Emirates, the following set of documents is necessary for remarriage: 

  • The government provides the bride and couple with picture IDs.
  • The applicants’ birth certificate, which contains information on their parents’ names, dates of birth, place of birth, and date of death, among other things.
  •  A premarital screening certificate was provided by a government facility to both candidates.
  • Attested marital status certificate of both the applicants stating if the applicant is a widow, divorced, or single. 

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Rules of second marriage for divorcees in the UAE

To be able to get remarried in the United Arab Emirates, the divorcee has to produce their divorce documents. The divorce papers can be acquired at the court that the divorce was granted. The applicant must also be prepared to provide accurate information as regards the country in which the divorce was offered. The court should know the date of the divorce, official reasons of the divorce and whether the spouse is alive or not. This might not seem significant to the application but it should be ensured that the government has been provided the required documentation to prove that the applicant is unmarried. This makes the second or remarriage a legitimate one. It may be attached along with the second marriage certificate along with the divorce or dissolution of marriage certificate.

Read more : Second Marriage in Dubai after 40 years: How to set realistic Expectations

Rules for widow/widower of second marriage in the UAE

When requesting a second marriage, the widow or widower is required to provide the death certificate of their previous husband. This is necessary because it shows that you are free from the constraints of your current marriage and that you are eligible to remarry since you are widowed.

Rules of second marriage in the UAE for Muslims

The following paperwork must be presented to the court for the Muslim’s second marriage: 

  1. A properly completed marriage application 
  2. A copy of each party’s Emirates ID card 
  3. Legal guardians’ family book 
  4. The applicants’ current passports 
  5. A certificate of premarital health screening from government-approved medical facilities. 

A Muslim man is allowed to marry more than once, but the only requirement is that he treat each of his wives equally in every way. 

Read: Marriage for Muslims and Non-Muslims

Legal requirements following the second marriage in the UAE

For residents of the United Arab Emirates, the bride and groom must go to the local authorities as soon as the marriage certificate is produced in order to have their names removed from the present family book and obtain their own family book. 

After the marriage contract is issued, residents should go to the local authorities to modify the sponsorship for their visas. After that, the spouse’s residence visa is issued by the local authorities. 

Read: Second Marriage Law: Legal Requirements for It in UAE

How Dubai court marriage can help you in legalizing your second marriage in the UAE

To be recognized in the United Arab Emirates, all the requirements must be met on the remarriage. With the help of hiring a lawyer, you can ensure that the issues that might arise may be addressed fast and efficiently. Contact Dubai Court Marriage to know the laws in legalizing a second marriage in Dubai and have your marriage legalized in the UAE. We will also make the best of it possible to you.

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FAQ’s

1. Do you consider a second marriage as being legal in the UAE?

Yes. The UAE allows a second marriage, and in this case, you are bound to observe the specific laws of personal-status that govern your religion and marriage background. In 2026, the law remains clear: Muslim men may have up to four wives, while the civil law for non-Muslims mandates strictly monogamous unions.

2. Are there any differences in the rules of second marriage between the Muslims and non-Muslims?

Yes. Muslims will be bound by the Sharia-based UAE Personal Status Law whereas non-Muslims are bound by the UAE Civil Personal Status Law that failed to grant polygamy. Non-Muslims are legally required to dissolve any prior marriage completely before entering into a new one.

3. Does the UAE have a second marriage permission?

To Muslims, a court might be required to sanction the marriage in case of fairness, finances or disagreements. In 2026, the court primarily ensures the husband can provide equal maintenance. In the case of non-Muslims they are only allowed to get married again after the first marriage is legally solemnized (meaning legally dissolved/terminated).

4. In the UAE, is marriage of a second wife possible without the agreement of the first wife?

The Islamic law does not insist that the consent of the first wife should be taken, however the husband should demonstrate his ability to take good care of the second wife. These requirements could be examined in the courts in case of any disagreement. Furthermore, per 2026 living standards, a husband must provide separate, private accommodation for each wife unless they all agree to live together.

5. Do non-Muslims in UAE have permission to practice polygamy?

No. Non-Muslims are prohibited to be polygamous under the UAE Civil Personal Status Law. They are not allowed to move to a second marriage before they end their first marriage. Any attempt to enter a second marriage while the first is active is considered legally void under the civil system.

6. Do the expatriates in UAE have a second marriage?

Yes. Expatriates are also allowed to remarry in the UAE but according to their own rules of personal-status that are corresponding to their religion and marital status. For example, a non-Muslim expat may remarry through the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court or Dubai’s Civil Marriage service once their divorce from a previous spouse is finalized and attested.

7. Is Second marriage registration obligatory in the UAE?

Yes. Any marriage, not to mention the second marriage, should be registered in the relevant court in the UAE in order to be valid and enforceable. In 2026, registration is verified via UAE PASS, and failure to register can lead to significant complications regarding visa sponsorship and medical insurance.

8. So what is the situation when a second marriage takes place and it is not carried out within the law?

The marriage can be considered as invalid and this will create issues regarding marital status, inheritance, child custody and rights of a person to stay. An unregistered marriage will not be recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), making it impossible to sponsor the second spouse for a residency visa.

9. Will the second marriage interfere with the rights to inheritance and children custody?

Yes. It is able to transform the way inheritance is split, spousal benefits, and custody. Depending on the personal-status statute, courts make a decision. For Muslims, inheritance is divided among all legal wives according to Sharia. For non-Muslims, the 2022 Civil Law provides for equal distribution unless a registered Will specifies otherwise.

10. Should there be legal advice prior to second marriage in UAE?

Yes. Hiring a lawyer can be beneficial by making sure that you fulfill all of the legal requirements, register properly and safeguard your marital, financial and family rights. Legal advisors in 2026 can also assist in drafting Bilingual Pre-nuptial or Post-nuptial Agreements to clarify financial expectations between multiple families.
Hazim Darwish Practicing law for almost a decade, he has in-depth knowledge on UAE legislation with particular expertise on family law, and regulatory compliance for business organizations. Hazim Darwish also provides counsel on legal rights and obligations in the UAE to clients, including individuals and businesses subject to investigation or prosecution under Criminal Law by major regulators.
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