Marriage Contracts in the UAE

Marriage contracts in the UAE have many legal and social aspects that must be followed. In this article, we will present information about marriage contracts in the UAE, focusing on various important details related to them.

A marriage contract in the UAE can be considered the legal cornerstone for forming a new family and for bringing children into that family. The law protects the rights of both spouses and their children. All residents in the country can complete a marriage contract in the UAE, regardless of their nationality or religious beliefs.

For legal assistance with a marriage contract in the UAE, you can contact us at Samaha Law Firm.

General Requirements for Executing a Marriage Contract in the UAE

1. Mutual Consent: Both parties must give their consent to the marriage. The marriage must be based on the free will of the concerned parties without any coercion.
2. Valid Residency: The parties to the marriage contract (the husband, wife, or the wife’s guardian) must have a valid residency visa in the UAE. Both spouses must present their personal identification and passport to confirm their identity and visa status. The couple must be residents of the United Arab Emirates.
3. Medical Fitness Certificate: The couple must provide a medical fitness certificate for marriage, which is issued by a medical center accredited by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

Steps for Preparing an Electronic Marriage Contract in the UAE

You can complete a marriage contract in the UAE electronically through these steps:

1. Log in to the electronic services portal.
2. Go to “Submit Application” and upload all the required documents.
3. Pay the required fees through the available electronic payment gateway.
4. After the payment is received, the application will be accepted and reviewed by the responsible authority.
5. Receive the marriage contract electronically.

Authentication of a Marriage Contract in the UAE

To authenticate a marriage contract in the UAE, or specifically in Dubai, and prove the continuity of the marriage, you must follow these steps:

1. Gather Personal IDs: Collect the personal IDs of both the husband and wife. You must ensure that both IDs are valid to authenticate the marriage contract.
2. Original Marriage Contract: Gather the original marriage contract. The contract must be valid and not have been altered in any way.
3. Birth Certificates: Collect the birth certificates of both spouses. If you have children, you will also need to collect their birth certificates.
4. Submit the Authentication Request: This request must be filled out and signed in the presence of an authorized marriage official. The required form can be obtained from the competent authority.
5. Review Process: After submitting the request, the file will be reviewed by the judge or the competent person. You may be asked to provide more documents or clarifications.
6. Approval and Certification: Upon approval of the marriage contract authentication request, the contract will be signed and certified by the judge and sealed with an official stamp. You will receive an authenticated copy of the contract that proves the continuation of the marriage.

If you need more legal consultations regarding marriage contracts in the UAE, we recommend that you contact a specialized law firm like Samaha Law Firm.

Read more: Personal Status and Family Law

Sample Marriage Contract in the UAE

Preparing a marriage contract form in the UAE requires accurately clarifying the details of the contract parties and witnesses, all agreed-upon terms, and the amount of the dowry. All these details are documented in the marriage contract, and a declaration is made that there are no legal or religious impediments to the marriage. The contract follows this format:

Title: Legal Marriage Contract

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

This contract was prepared on the day… corresponding to ../../..

I, … , the marriage contracts official in …, held a legal session at the home of …, where the legally competent parties appeared:

Groom: …, Place and Date of Birth: …, Place of Residence: …, Nationality: …, National ID: ..

Bride: …, Place and Date of Birth: …, Place of Residence: …, Nationality: …, National ID: ..

Also present with them were the Bride’s Guardian: …, National ID: …, and the Contract Witnesses: Mr. …, and Mr. ….

The parties declared in this session their desire to enter into a marriage contract with their consent and the consent of the bride’s legal guardian, according to the provisions of Islamic Sharia and the UAE Personal Status Law, for a prompt dowry of …, and a deferred dowry of …

This is after their declaration that there are no legal or religious impediments preventing their marriage, and they pledged to all the consequences of this marriage.

The Groom/Bride has stipulated on … (any agreed-upon conditions, provided that no condition permits what is forbidden or forbids what is permitted).

The two witnesses mentioned above have reviewed all that has been stated and have attested to and affirmed its validity. The parties have acknowledged that they bear full legal and religious responsibility if anything contrary to this appears.

Based on the foregoing, and after verifying the documents and confirming there are no impediments, I have, by the grace of God, concluded the marriage contract between the mentioned parties, registered it with the number …, and signed it as per the law.

May the blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad and his family and companions.

Husband or his Agent: …

Wife or her Agent: …

Legal Guardian: …

First Witness: …

Second Witness: …

Official (Ma’zoun): …

We have provided you with important and clear details about marriage contracts in the UAE. If you need more legal consultations regarding marriage contracts, contact us at Samaha Law Firm, conact us via WhatsApp or Phone +971544447773.