Legal advice on civil and Sharia marriage contracts, eligibility, documentation, foreign marriage certificates and attestation across Dubai and the UAE.
Confidential Consultation · EN, AR & RU
Marriage requirements in the UAE differ depending on whether the couple is marrying under the civil framework for non-Muslims or under the Personal Status Law applicable to Muslim marriages.
Our family lawyers help couples identify the correct legal route, prepare the required documents and address marriage registration or attestation issues.
Non-Muslim couples who meet the applicable requirements may use the UAE civil marriage framework, while Muslim marriages follow the Personal Status Law and Sharia marriage requirements.
Our lawyers advise on eligibility, marriage applications, supporting documents, guardianship requirements where applicable, marriage contract terms and foreign certificates.
We also assist with UAE and overseas marriage documents that require legal translation, authentication or Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation before they can be relied upon for official purposes.
The process depends on the couple’s religion, residency status and the type of marriage being registered.
Determine whether the couple will marry through the non-Muslim civil framework or the applicable Sharia marriage process.
Review identification, marital status, residency and any additional documents required for the chosen route.
Submit the application through the relevant court or authorised marriage channel and complete any required formalities.
Obtain the marriage certificate and complete translation, attestation or other steps where it needs to be used in the UAE or abroad.
Legal advice can help when eligibility, documents, marriage-contract requirements or cross-border recognition need to be clarified before the marriage is registered.
Founder & Managing Partner
Our family law team advises couples and families on civil and Sharia marriage requirements, marriage documentation and cross-border personal status matters in the UAE.
More Than 25 Years of UAE Legal Experience
Experience advising individuals and families on UAE personal status and family-law matters.
Civil and Sharia Marriage Advice
We identify the correct legal framework before advising on eligibility, documents or marriage formalities.
Marriage Contract Support
Legal advice on marriage-contract requirements, proposed terms and documentation before registration.
Cross-Border Document Support
Guidance on foreign marriage certificates, legal translation, authentication and UAE attestation requirements.
In UAE Law Practices
Across All Emirates
Firm records
Certificate on request
We first identify the applicable marriage framework and documents before advising on the registration and certification steps.
Share the parties’ nationality, religion, residency status and intended marriage route.
We identify the eligibility, documents and legal formalities that apply.
We review the marriage documents and address translation, attestation or contract issues where required.
We assist with the applicable marriage process and advise on any further certification required afterward.
Marriage matters can also involve marital agreements, future family arrangements and wider personal-status planning.
Tell us whether you are planning a civil or Sharia marriage, or need help with an existing marriage certificate. Our family lawyers can identify the requirements and next legal steps.
Confidential Consultation · EN, AR & RU
We advise UAE residents and expatriate professionals across different sectors on marriage registration, documentation and cross-border personal-status matters.
Marriage and document advice for property professionals, investors and internationally mobile families.
Family law support for professionals working across project locations and multiple jurisdictions.
Marriage and personal-status advice for executives, business owners and internationally mobile professionals.
Support for founders and technology professionals managing marriage documentation across jurisdictions.
Family law advice for healthcare professionals and expatriate families living and working in the UAE.
Marriage documentation and personal-status support for business owners and professionals with international connections.
Advice for professionals and families whose work or residence involves multiple countries.
Support for internationally mobile families dealing with marriage registration and cross-border documentation.
Yes. Dubai offers civil marriage to non-Muslim couples where at least one party is a Dubai resident, both are at least 21 years old and the other eligibility requirements are satisfied. The service is designed to issue a civil wedding licence within 24 hours when the application requirements are met.
The federal civil marriage framework does not impose the Sharia marriage requirements for a Muslim guardian, two Muslim witnesses or premarital medical screening. The civil marriage application must instead satisfy the requirements of the applicable civil regime and court service.
Muslim marriages are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024. Requirements include valid consent, witnesses and guardian participation where legally required, together with the applicable documents and mandatory premarital screening.
Where a foreign-language document is submitted to Dubai Courts, a certified Arabic translation may be required. Dubai Courts also requires applicable foreign documents to complete the relevant attestation process.
Yes. The UAE Government states that premarital medical screening is mandatory for Sharia marriages and that the marriage contract cannot be registered without a valid medical certificate for both parties. It is not required for civil marriage.
Yes, but the certificate may require authentication before it can be accepted for an official UAE purpose. Foreign-issued marriage documents may need certification by the relevant authorities abroad, the UAE mission and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, depending on the route.
Tell us the matter type and your enquiry goes straight to the right lawyer.
+971 50 441 8952
+971 50 441 8952
Office 1305, Fairmont Hotel Sheikh Zayed Road, World Trade Center, Dubai
Confidential Consultation · EN, AR & RU · Reply within one business day.
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