Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Application: How to Apply Online

The Abu Dhabi civil marriage application is the first official step toward getting legally married through the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court.

Whether you are a UAE resident or a tourist, the application can be submitted online before the wedding ceremony.

The process is relatively straightforward, but incorrect personal details, unclear documents, marital-status issues or mismatched information can delay the application or lead to rejection.

This guide explains how to apply, what documents to prepare, what happens after submission and the common issues that can affect approval.

How Do You Submit an Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Application?

The application is submitted through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s official digital services.

According to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Civil Family Court, there are separate application routes for:

• UAE residents
• Tourists and non-residents

Applicants can start the process online, and tourists may submit the application from outside the UAE before travelling to Abu Dhabi for the ceremony.

Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Application: Step by Step

The application process generally follows these stages.

Step 1: Access the Civil Marriage Service

Go to the official Abu Dhabi Judicial Department website and access the Civil Family Court application service.

ADJD recommends using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when completing the online application.

You can also review the official Civil Marriage service information before starting.

Step 2: Choose the Correct Application Route

Select whether you are applying as:

• A UAE resident, or
• A tourist/non-resident

Choosing the correct route matters because the application system distinguishes between residents and visitors.

You do not have to be a UAE resident to have a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

Enter the required information carefully.

This may include:

• Full legal name
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Passport details
• Emirates ID details, if applicable
• Contact information
• Current marital status
• Information about any previous marriage

Your details should match your official documents exactly.

Small inconsistencies in names, passport details or marital-status information can create delays later in the review.

What Documents Are Required?

The standard documents published by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department include:

• Passport copy for each partner
• Emirates ID copy, if applicable
• Proof that a previous marriage has ended, if either person was previously married

For previously married applicants, this could include:

• Divorce decree
• Divorce certificate
• Death certificate of a previous spouse

The court can request additional documents depending on the circumstances of the application.

Can Divorced Applicants Apply?

Yes.

A previous divorce does not prevent you from applying for civil marriage in Abu Dhabi, as long as the previous marriage has legally ended.

You should provide acceptable proof of divorce when required.

If the divorce document was issued outside the UAE, additional issues can arise around legalization, translation or document acceptance.

You can read more about divorce attestation in Abu Dhabi if your previous-marriage documents were issued abroad.

What If Your Divorce Papers Are Rejected?

A divorce certificate existing does not automatically mean the court will accept it.

Problems can arise when:

• The divorce is not final
• The document is incomplete
• The document cannot be authenticated
• Required translation is missing
• Information on the divorce document does not match the applicant’s current documents

If this applies to you, see our guide on why divorce papers may be rejected in Abu Dhabi.

Resolve document issues before repeatedly submitting the same application.

What If Your Name Does Not Match Your Documents?

Name inconsistencies are especially important in civil marriage applications.

For example:

• Your passport may contain a new surname
• Your divorce certificate may show an old surname
• Transliteration may differ between documents
• Middle names may be missing
• Different passports may show different name formats

If the court cannot clearly establish that the documents belong to the same person, additional evidence may be required.

Read our guide on name mismatch on marriage documents in Abu Dhabi if your documents do not match exactly.

Can Widowed Applicants Apply?

Yes.

Widowed applicants can apply for an Abu Dhabi civil marriage if they meet the remaining eligibility conditions.

The court may request evidence confirming that the previous marriage has ended, such as an official death certificate.

For more information about these cases, see our guide to widow remarriage in Abu Dhabi.

What Marital Status Should You Declare?

Always declare your actual legal marital status.

For example, if you are divorced, declare yourself divorced and provide the relevant evidence when required.

Do not declare yourself single simply because:

• You are separated
• You no longer live with your spouse
• Your previous marriage took place abroad
• The previous marriage has not been registered in the UAE

The Abu Dhabi civil marriage conditions require that neither party be currently married to another person.

What Happens After You Submit the Application?

Once the application and supporting documents are submitted, the competent Civil Family Court section reviews the case.

The court may:

• Approve the application
• Request corrections
• Request additional documents
• Reject the application and provide reasons

Once the application is approved, the required fee is paid and the marriage process can proceed. The official ADJD service specifically states that applications are reviewed for approval or rejection, with reasons provided where an application is rejected.

Why Can an Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Application Be Rejected?

An Abu Dhabi civil marriage application may be rejected if the legal conditions are not met or the supporting information is incomplete or inconsistent.

Possible issues include:

• One party is already legally married
• Incorrect marital status
• Missing divorce or death documents
• Inconsistent names
• Incorrect passport information
• Missing identification documents
• Applicants do not meet the legal age requirement
• The parties are related within a prohibited degree
• The application does not satisfy the applicable legal conditions

A rejection should not automatically be treated as a permanent refusal.

The next step depends on why the application was rejected.

What If the Court Requests Additional Documents?

This is different from an outright rejection.

The court may request that you:

• Upload a clearer passport
• Correct an error in your application
• Clarify your marital status
• Provide proof that a previous marriage ended
• Provide an additional supporting document

Respond specifically to what the court requested.

Submitting large numbers of unrelated documents can make the application more confusing rather than stronger.

Can Tourists Apply for Civil Marriage in Abu Dhabi?

Yes.

Tourists and non-residents can submit their application online from outside the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department states that UAE residency is not required for civil marriage.

After the application is completed and the required fees are paid, both partners travel to Abu Dhabi for the ceremony.

Can Interfaith Couples Apply?

Abu Dhabi’s civil marriage framework is not based on the religious ceremony requirements that apply to Sharia marriage.

Eligible couples from different religious backgrounds may therefore have access to the civil marriage route.

If religion is an important factor in your case, read our guide to interfaith civil marriage in Abu Dhabi.

The couple’s nationalities and legal circumstances should still be checked before applying.

Do You Need Family or Guardian Approval?

Civil marriage is based on the consent of the two parties rather than the traditional guardian requirements associated with certain Sharia marriages.

If family approval is a concern in your case, you can also read our guide on marrying in Abu Dhabi without family approval.

Your application should still meet all other legal eligibility requirements.

Regular vs Express Civil Marriage Application

Abu Dhabi offers regular and express civil marriage services.

According to ADJD:

• Regular service: processed within approximately 10 working days
• Express service: processed within approximately 1 working day

With the express option, applicants can also select their preferred ceremony date, subject to availability.

Processing can take longer if the application requires corrections or additional documents.

What Happens After Approval?

After the application is approved and the required fee is paid, the couple receives their marriage appointment.

Both partners then attend the Civil Family Court to complete the marriage contract.

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department confirms that ceremonies take place at the Civil Family Court in the main ADJD building next to Zayed Sports City.

If you need practical information about finding the court, parking and what to bring, link this section to your Abu Dhabi court marriage location page once that URL is final.

Do Both Partners Need to Attend?

For the standard in-person ceremony, both partners attend the court to complete the marriage contract.

ADJD also provides video-conference marriage contracts in specific circumstances, but this option is limited to cases where all parties are UAE residents.

Tourists should therefore plan to travel to Abu Dhabi for the ceremony.

What Should You Check Before Submitting Your Application?

Before clicking submit, check:

• Names exactly match passports
• Passport numbers are correct
• Dates of birth are correct
• Nationalities are correct
• Marital status is accurate
• Previous-marriage evidence is attached if applicable
• Documents are clear and readable
• You selected the correct resident or tourist route
• Your phone number and email address are correct

Checking these points before submission can prevent unnecessary delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I submit an Abu Dhabi civil marriage application?

Applications can be submitted through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s online civil marriage services. Separate routes are available for residents and tourists.

Can tourists apply online?

Yes. Tourists and non-residents can apply from anywhere in the world and travel to Abu Dhabi for the marriage ceremony after completing the required process.

What documents do I need?

The standard documents include passports, Emirates IDs where applicable, and evidence that a previous marriage has ended if either partner was previously married.

Can my application be rejected?

Yes. ADJD states that the competent section reviews the application and may approve or reject it, providing reasons for rejection.

Can I apply if I am divorced?

Yes, provided the previous marriage has legally ended and acceptable proof is provided.

Can I apply if I am currently married?

No. One of the conditions of Abu Dhabi civil marriage is that neither party may already be married to another person.

How long does approval take?

ADJD states that regular service is processed within approximately 10 working days and express service within approximately one working day.

Need Help With Your Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Application?

The online application itself may look simple, but document problems can create unnecessary delays.

At Civil Wedding Abu Dhabi, we help couples understand the application process, prepare their documents and identify issues before submission.

If you are unsure about your case, share:

• Your nationality
• Your partner’s nationality
• UAE residency status
• Current marital status
• Whether either partner was previously married
• Whether any documents contain different names or details

We can then help you understand the appropriate Abu Dhabi civil marriage process before you apply.