Get married in Abu Dhabi with a quick checklist of all the legal requirements!

Although love has no borders but sometimes getting married might feel like it does. It is usually the idea of endless paperwork and complicated laws that make you feel overwhelmed.

If you have already chosen a partner and now are looking forward to tie knot, Abu Dhabi might be the right destination for you.

Since the introduction of Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 for civil marriage, the Abu Dhabi court marriage requirements have become more straightforward, especially for expats.

Abu Dhabi has redefined the marriage process to make it easy for everyone, no matter where you’re from. So, Let us guide you through it!

Who Can Get Married In Abu Dhabi?

In Abu Dhabi, both the residents and the non-residents of the country can get married and after the marriage law in 2021, non-Muslim expats, tourists, and residents are also allowed to marry in Abu Dhabi. Here are a few requirements to get married in Abu Dhabi:

• Age: Both parties must be at least 18 years old.
• Marital Status: Applicants must be single, widowed, or divorced. If applicable, a divorce certificate or the death certificate of a former spouse is required.
• Consent: Both parties must provide explicit consent to marry.
• Residency: The couple is not required to be residents of Abu Dhabi or the UAE, which is a significant advantage for tourists.
• Non-Muslim: The civil marriage law is specifically designed for non-Muslim couples. Muslims can only marry through Sharia law in the UAE.

Essential Documents Required 

Before heading to the Abu Dhabi Family Court for your marriage application, ensure that you have all the necessary documentation. These include:

• Passports: A valid passport for both parties. Moreover, if you’re a UAE resident, you’ll also need your Emirates ID.
• Residency Permit: For residents of the UAE, proof of residency is required.
• Marital Status: A certificate proving that both parties are single, widowed, or divorced. For divorcees, a divorce certificate is required; for widows/widowers, a death certificate of the late spouse is needed.
• Consent Documents: Both individuals must consent to the marriage, and the couple will need to sign a joint declaration.
• Additional Documents for Special Cases:
  • If either party is widowed or divorced, you must present the corresponding death or divorce certificate.
  • If the bride is under 21, parental consent may be required.
  • If either party has previously been married, proof of divorce or the spouse’s death is necessary.

Marriage Requirements For Expats 

As Abu Dhabi family court has allowed expats to tie knot in Abu Dhabi, there’s been a surge in the number of expat marriages. 

Expats from various countries can marry in Abu Dhabi, but certain documents may be required depending on the country of origin. 

Although abu dhabi consulate wedding requirements are almost the same for every country, but here’s a breakdown of the top 10 countries and their specific requirements:

India

Abu Dhabi court marriage requirements for Indian nationals include a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their embassy, proof of single status, and possibly a marriage certificate for prior marriages.

Philippines

As far as Philippine embassy abu dhabi marriage requirements are concerned, there is a need for a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) and an NOC from the Philippine Embassy.

United Kingdom

For British nationals, there must be a birth certificate, passports, and a no-objection letter from the British Embassy if previously married.

United States

Most of the time, Americans are the ones coming to Abu Dhabi for jobs and often end up falling in love, which leads them to marry here. For them,  they need a valid passport, proof of divorce or widowhood (if applicable), and a no-objection certificate from the U.S. Embassy.

Pakistan

According to the latest census in Abu Dhabi, the overall population is about 3,789,860, out of which almost 16.7% of the population is Pakistani. For Pakistanis requirements for marriage in Abu Dhabi, they must submit a no-objection certificate from the Pakistani Embassy along with proof of single status and divorce (if applicable).

Egypt

Egyptians form 4.2% of the population of Abu Dhabi, therefore, there is their marriage as well. The Egyptians must provide a certificate of marital status and proof of divorce or death if previously married as abu dhabi court marriage requirements for muslims.

Lebanon

For Lebanese expats, requirements for marriage in abu dhabi court need a certificate of marital status, a no-objection letter from the embassy, and proof of divorce or widowhood.

Australia

Documents required for court marriage in Abu Dhabi for Australian nationals require a passport, proof of marital status, and a no-objection letter from the Australian Embassy if previously married.

France

The court marriage in Abu dhabi requirements for French nationals includes a proof of single status, passports, and a no-objection certificate from the French Embassy.

South Africa

Last but not the least, South African nationals need a passport, proof of marital status, and a no-objection certificate from their embassy.

Special Cases And Exceptions 

Abu Dhabi is a land of diversity. In a period of two years, almost 20% of applications for civil marriage in Abu Dhabi are from tourists, who come from 120 different nationalities.

There have been multiple unique cases of marriage that have come up. Let’s have a look at few of the case studies:

Muslim Expats in Abu Dhabi

Ahmed and Fatima, a Muslim couple in Abu Dhabi, wanted to get married. Since both are Muslim, they needed to go through the Sharia court for their wedding. However, if a Muslim groom is marrying a non-Muslim bride, special conditions apply. Fatima might need to convert or provide additional documents. It’s best to check with the Sharia court in advance to understand the exact requirements.

Parental Consent for Younger Couples

Sara and Farouq, both under 18, were excited to marry in Abu Dhabi. However, since they’re both younger than the legal marriage age, they needed parental consent. This is a common requirement in many countries, including the UAE, to ensure they’re ready for the commitment and that the marriage is legally binding.

Divorced or Widowed Individuals

Imran, a divorcee, wanted to marry Laila in Abu Dhabi. Before proceeding, he needed to provide his divorce certificate to prove he’s legally free to marry. Since he’s from India, he also needed a no-objection certificate from the Indian Embassy. Laila, however, didn’t need any extra documents, as she had never been married before.

Tourist Marriages in Abu Dhabi

Mia and John, tourists in Abu Dhabi, always dreamt of having a destination wedding and wanted to marry during their vacation. As tourists, they only needed a valid passport, proof of their single status, and consent from both parties. The process is straightforward for tourists, making Abu Dhabi a popular destination for weddings while on holiday.

Timeline For Document Preparation

Document preparation can take some time, particularly if your documents need to be authenticated or translated. Here’s a rough timeline to help you plan:

• Initial Document Collection: Gathering your required documents (such as passports, divorce or death certificates) can take anywhere from a few days to a week
• Document Authentication: Once you have the documents, the next stage is their authentication from your home country embassy and by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Translation: If your documents are in a language other than Arabic or English, you will need to have them translated by an approved translator that can take an additional 2-3 business days.

• Court Processing: Once all the legal requirements are complete, you can submit your documents to the Abu Dhabi Family Court that will process marriage applications within 3-5 working days.

FAQs

Conclusion

Abu Dhabi’s civil marriage law has made the process of getting married in the UAE more accessible for non-Muslim expats and tourists. 

With a relatively simple application process at Civil Wedding Abu Dhabi, clear documentation requirements, and a quick turnaround time, we are your prime location for those wishing to marry in the UAE. 

Understanding the necessary steps, requirements, and timeline for document preparation can ensure a smooth and hassle-free wedding experience.