How to Get Married in UAE with Muslims & Non-Muslims

Ever wished about Married life in UAE? Are you in love with someone or getting married in Dubai? If your answer is Yes, then you must be interested in How to get married in UAE?

Many of us Love UAE and it is because of Country Development, positive progress of a modern 
world and Controlled system. UAE is moving toward success day by day, and that’s the very first reason that expatriates from around the Globe moved to the beautiful and bustling states of UAE.

Also Read: UAE Dating Rules

So many young Professionals men and women from different countries living alone in different states of UAE, sometime when they met, they want to go ahead but couldn’t get the right and legal way. We have seen so many cases that young expats caught and later banned from UAE for life time due to illegal sexual relationships.

This article will guide you the process of getting married in Dubai.

The UAE allows marriages to take place with in its state borders even if the people getting married are not local citizens. However, the rules and laws are different for some nationalities and religions present in UAE. In order to live with in the rules and regulations of UAE a couple that wishes to get married should make sure that they are following all the laws of the country or they will end up in deep trouble.

1. Islamic Marriage Law:

UAE follows Islamic laws of wedding (marriage) and the NIKAH is a valid marriage contract in Shariah law.
According to Islamic sharia principles, a Muslim men can marry non-Muslim women, But non-Muslim men must convert to Islam before marrying Muslim women. For non-Muslim couples the laws of their home country will apply but they will  need to register their marriage (wedding) within UAE.

Couples who choose to get married in UAE must also remember that if they are not a Local (Emirati)  citizen they need to apply a valid residence visa. If a spouse has a visit or Tourist visa they will need to go through a medical checkup before they are allowed to marry. There are other required documents to make sure they have everything in order.

2. Court Marriages in Dubai:

UAE Government allows couples to get a court marriage. This means that the married couple exchanges vows in front of a judge and not in some religious  ceremony. There is an online Website for those who are wishing to get married through Courts in UAE,

Name of the site is Dubai Courts and you can submit your marriage application through Ezawaj section (electronic Marriage, Translated from Arabic). Go to www.dubaicourts.gov.ae for further information.

3. Marriage Requirements for Expatriates:

Please note that below requirements are only for UAE Resident (Expats), if you already planed something, we will instruct you to check with your respective embassy about the updated rules.

General Marriage Requirements are:

1. Couple must have valid permission to stay in UAE.

2. Both the male and female who are getting married must be 18 years or older.
3. The couples are not allowed to live together before marriage.
4. Two witnesses (male) with proper identification documents.

4. How to get Marriage License in UAE:

In order to acquire a marriage license in the UAE, expatriates  who are not Muslim will need to either get married in a church or at the embassy of their country of citizenship.

1. Attested Birth Certificate from Issuing authority & UAE Embassy in home country.

2. Original Passport with Photocopies of it.

3. Original Passports and photocopies of Witness.

4. UAE Medical Fitness Certificate

5. Blood Test Report from the Health Ministry.

In case of Divorce, widowers and Death:

In case one of the married couple is divorced a final divorce paper with sign or previous attested marriage certificates should be presented. In case of widowers a death certificate will be required of the previous husband or wife.

UAE Marriage Certificate:

The marriage certificate will be in English Language if the marriage ceremonies were performed in the same language. Please note that the Marriage certificate will need to be translate into Arabic Language to be acceptable in the UAE. This can be done by any Verified Typing Center in UAE.

The marriage certificate needs attestation starting with the MOJ (Ministry of Justice) which will then be attested by the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

After all this, a wedded couple then needs get authorizations from their respective embassies if they are citizens of different countries.

5. Marriage Requirements for Muslim Resident (expats) in UAE:

UAE Resident who are from different countries but from one Religion (ISLAM) required:

1. Both the Bride and the groom must have a valid UAE residence visa.
2. The father, attorney of bride's father should be present at the Marriage desk of Dubai Court.
3. Two Adult Male Muslim witnesses.
4. Original Passports, identification documents for the bride's guardian and the 2 witnesses to the marriage.
5. If 1 of the couple is divorced (widowed) divorced letter should be require.
6. For special circumstances where the father of the bride is not a Muslim the Muslim bride will required NOC from her embassy in UAE. This document should be in Arabic and need to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

After successful documents submission and fees, a UAE Marriage License will be granted to couples.

Furthermore, Couples may need to get their marriage License attested by Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & then the embassies of home countries in UAE to avoid future disputes.

6. Christian Weddings in UAE:

Christian residents of UAE do not need to follow Islamic rules of marriage they should make sure to do the following when getting married in Dubai.

The couple will need to visit their home embassies in UAE to get complete details of how to obtain a marriage license. Each country has different rules and procedures but in general below documents will be required.

1. A Valid passports.
2. A letters with signature that state the couple is not currently married and that there are no legal objections to the marriage.
3. Some countries will require witnesses.
4. An Arabic Marriage contract is required, English marriage contract will be avoid.

5. Translation of Marriage contract should be attested by court approved typing centers.

6. Documentation of the Lawyer Public Office at Dubai Courts will also be required.
7. Stamps from Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also require.
8. The final authentication will require from respective embassies.

7. UAE Citizens Marriage:

The marriage procedure for citizens of the UAE is easy and it also very similar to other Muslim couples. The complete contract is under Sharia law and the wedding takes place in the Marriage Section of the Islamic Courts in any state of UAE.

1. The couple should be UAE National or have the proper residency permits.
2. The dowry should be paid directly to the bride and must be written agreement for the dowry.

3. Bride's father should be at the courts during marriage Ceremony.
4. Two Adult Male witnesses.
5. Original passports of bride and groom.
6. Identification Documents for Father and for the witnesses.
7. If father is dead, Sharia Declaration of death will be required.

8. In case if father cannot attend marriage ceremony, a letter in Arabic language with solid reason and father signature will be required.
9. If bride father is non-Muslim, No Objection Certificate from the embassy or consulate of the bride's native country is needed.
10. In case of bride divorced or her previous husband has been deceased, proof of death or divorced must be provided.

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FAQ’s:

Q: What if Groom is non-Muslim?

For Relations that takes place between different religions and faiths,  where the male is non-Muslim and the wedding bride is Muslim, the groom will first need to convert to Islam and then will follow above rules. 

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