A Relatively Simple Process, with Residency Implications
Getting married in the UAE is simpler than many foreigners expect. Alongside family law based on Sharia, there is a civil marriage system. For many foreign residents and visitors, it takes an online application and a short court appointment.
For property investors there is a practical side too. A recognised marriage certificate lets you add a husband or wife to your residence visa, including a Golden Visa based on property ownership.
At Dubai Index we are often asked about this by buyers planning to move with their partners. This guide explains who can marry, how Abu Dhabi and Dubai differ, what the official costs are and what to do afterwards.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm the details with the court or a licensed lawyer before applying.
Can Foreigners Get Married in the UAE?
Yes. Foreigners can marry in a civil court, without a religious ceremony. In Abu Dhabi, residents and visitors of any religion can apply, except Muslim UAE citizens, for an official fee of AED 300. In Dubai, both partners must be non-Muslim, and at least one must be a Dubai resident.
What does civil marriage mean?
It is a marriage contract concluded before a court rather than a religious authority, under civil law. No guardian is needed for the marriage, and there is no religious ceremony.
Two laws created this option:
- Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021, which introduced civil marriage in the emirate. The process is handled by the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, which extended the civil framework for non-Muslims across the country and came into force on 1 February 2023.
Do foreigners have to marry under Sharia?
No. This is a common misconception. Sharia-based family law generally applies to Muslims, but non-Muslim foreigners can use the civil route.
In Abu Dhabi the option is even broader. The Judicial Department's FAQs state that Muslims can also use the civil service, as long as they are not UAE citizens.
Abu Dhabi or Dubai: Where Should You Marry?
You do not have to marry in the emirate where you live. For Dubai residents, Abu Dhabi may be the simpler choice because its requirements are less strict.
| Topic | Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court | Civil marriage at Dubai Courts |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | People of all religions, except Muslim UAE citizens | Both partners must be non-Muslim |
| Residency | Not required; visitors are eligible | At least one partner must be a Dubai resident |
| Minimum age | 18 | 21 |
| Proof of marital status | Required for those previously married | Required for both partners |
| Official court fee | AED 300 standard, AED 2,500 express | Check with Dubai Courts |
The Abu Dhabi details are based on the Judicial Department's official information. The Dubai details are based on the Dubai government's marriage guide, which does not list a fee for civil marriage. Check the conditions and fees before applying.
Abu Dhabi suits most couples: it is open to visitors, allows marriage at a younger age and requires fewer documents. Dubai remains a good option when both partners are non-Muslim and one already lives there.
Step by Step: The Abu Dhabi Route
Most foreigners use the Judicial Department's civil marriage service. You can apply from anywhere in the world, so you can start from Israel before booking your flight.
- Apply online. Both partners apply through the Judicial Department's website.
- Upload documents. Each partner provides a passport or Emirates ID. Anyone previously married provides proof that the marriage ended.
- Choose standard or express. Pay and wait for approval.
- Attend the ceremony. Both partners must appear in person in Abu Dhabi.
- Receive the certificate. The court issues the marriage certificate immediately after the ceremony.
No witnesses are needed, because the ceremony takes place directly before a court representative. You can bring family and friends.
How long does it take?
On the standard route, the application is processed within ten working days. That is the processing time, not the ceremony date. After approval, the court gets in touch within five working days to set a date based on availability.
The wait depends on the court's calendar. If you have a fixed date, start early or consider the express route.
How Much Does Getting Married in the UAE Cost?
The Judicial Department publishes three official fees:
| Service | Official fee | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard route | AED 300 | Processing within ten working days and a date set by the court |
| Express route | AED 2,500 | Processing within one working day and priority for the requested ceremony date |
| Prenuptial agreement, optional | AED 950 | Court approval of the agreement |
Cost examples
- Standard route without a prenuptial agreement: AED 300.
- Standard route with a prenuptial agreement: AED 1,250.
- Express route with a prenuptial agreement: AED 3,450.
These are Abu Dhabi court fees only. Translation, document attestation, legal advice and travel are extra costs. The court fee itself is low compared with many weddings held abroad.
Prenuptial agreements
A prenuptial agreement sets out how the couple will handle money and property. In Abu Dhabi it is optional, and the court provides an approved template on request.
You can prepare your own agreement, but it then needs a legal translation so it is available in both Arabic and English. Couples who own property in Dubai usually get independent legal advice first.
Already Married Abroad? How to Get Your Marriage Recognised
Many investors arrive already married and need their certificate recognised.
Document attestation is the process in which authorities confirm that the stamp and signature on a document are genuine. According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a document issued outside the country requires:
- Attestation by the foreign ministry of the issuing country.
- Attestation by the UAE embassy or consulate in that country.
- Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs inside the UAE.
The ministry accepts documents in English or Arabic, or with an official translation. The immigration authority handling the application may also require an Arabic translation. So check the requirements in advance with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, or with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship in the other emirates.
Using a UAE certificate in Israel or another country
Attestation is also needed in the other direction: to use a UAE marriage certificate abroad, the UAE foreign ministry attests it first. Further requirements may then apply in the destination country.
In Israel, use the Population Registry's personal status update service. When the certificate was issued abroad, both partners must submit the application together with the original certificate.
The service page requires an apostille on foreign certificates. Without one, the guidance is to contact the nearest Israeli mission in the country that issued the certificate. Certificates in Arabic do not need a Hebrew translation, and Abu Dhabi Civil Court documents are issued in Arabic and English.
Before you marry, check with the Population Authority how it requires a UAE certificate to be attested.
Marriage and the Golden Visa
This is where marriage connects to property investment. The Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa that does not depend on an employer.
According to the Dubai Land Department, an investor may qualify through a property with a purchase price of AED 2 million or more. The visa is issued for ten years and is renewable. A husband or wife, children and parents can also be added.
Three important points:
- The marriage certificate is a key document. Without a recognised certificate, you cannot add a spouse.
- An existing visa may need to be cancelled. For example, a spouse on a work visa usually has to cancel it before moving to the family visa.
- Attestation requirements vary. Service providers give different answers on whether a local court certificate needs further attestation. Check directly with the relevant immigration authority.
For property and eligibility information, see our Golden Visa guide. For contractual and international questions, see our tax and legal advice service. If you have not chosen a property yet, you can start with our directory of vetted agencies.
Common Mistakes
- Booking flights before the ceremony date is confirmed. On the standard route you cannot choose the day.
- Assuming the rules in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the same.
- Forgetting to register the marriage in your home country. The certificate is not registered there automatically.
- Leaving the prenuptial agreement to the last minute. Custom drafting and translation take time.
- Relying on old fees. Check the official page before paying.
Key Takeaways
- Non-Muslim foreigners do not have to marry under Sharia.
- Abu Dhabi is more flexible: visitors can apply too, and the minimum age is 18.
- The official fees are AED 300 for the standard route or 2,500 for express, plus 950 for an optional prenuptial agreement.
- Certificates from abroad need attestation before they can be used for a spouse visa.
- A valid certificate allows a Golden Visa investor to add a spouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tourists get married?
Yes, in Abu Dhabi. You can apply from anywhere in the world, and both partners attend the ceremony. In Dubai, at least one partner must be a Dubai resident.
How much does it cost?
In Abu Dhabi: AED 300 on the standard route or 2,500 on express. A prenuptial agreement adds AED 950. Translation, attestation and legal advice are not included.
Are witnesses required?
No. The ceremony takes place before a court representative, but you can invite family and friends.
Is the marriage recognised abroad?
Usually yes, after foreign ministry attestation and subject to the destination country's requirements. In Israel, both partners apply to the Population Authority for registration.
Can I add a spouse to a property-based Golden Visa?
Yes. The Dubai Land Department states that a husband or wife, as well as children and parents, can be added.
Planning to Move to Dubai with Your Partner?
If marriage is one step in a wider relocation plan, Dubai Index can help with the property side: which properties meet the Golden Visa threshold and what they mean for your family's residency.
