Marriage in the UAE is a legal process that provides a formal framework for the relationship between spouses, outlining all mutual rights and obligations. It also incorporates a set of cultural and religious concepts that play a crucial role in shaping relationships. Spouses are entitled to legal rights such as inheritance and financial rights, as well as mutual obligations like family support and child care.

Types of Marriage in the UAE

Marriage in the UAE can be divided into two types:

• Sharia Marriage: The provisions of a Sharia marriage contract apply to Muslims, whether they are Emirati citizens or residents, regardless of their nationality. Under the law, a Muslim man is permitted to marry a non-Muslim woman, but the reverse is not allowed, as a Muslim woman is not permitted to marry a non-Muslim man unless there is proof of his conversion to Islam. The law in the UAE also permits polygyny, allowing a Muslim man to marry up to four wives, provided he treats them all justly in terms of financial support and good conduct. Samaha Legal Consultancy can help you finalize marriage contracts with all their legal details, ensuring the rights of all parties in the marriage in the UAE are protected.
• Civil Marriage: In 2021, the UAE introduced civil marriage services under Law No. 14 of 2021, which includes the provisions and amendments related to civil marriage. This type of marriage is regulated according to Articles 4 and 5 based on secular rules without the need for the spouses to undergo a pre-marital medical examination. Civil marriage in the UAE also does not require permission from the wife’s father or guardian. By contacting Samaha Legal Consultancy, you can finalize all legal details related to civil marriage in the UAE in a fully legal manner.

Conditions for Marriage in the UAE

The conditions for a Sharia marriage in the UAE include the following:

1. The marriage contract must be registered with the Sharia Court.
2. Both parties must have reached the legal age for marriage, which is 18 years. If they are younger than this, a judge’s consent is required.
3. The groom’s age must not be twice the bride’s age or more. If this condition is not met, a judge’s consent is required.
4. A medical fitness certificate must be submitted, confirming both spouses’ ability to marry.
5. Both spouses must be personally present.
6. The bride’s guardian or their representative must be present, along with two male Muslim witnesses.
7. The bride’s guardian must consent to the marriage.
8. If the bride’s father has passed away, the nearest guardian, such as the eldest brother, takes on the role of the guardian.
9. If the bride is divorced or widowed, she must provide an official document proving her status.
10. A girl whose father is a non-Muslim must provide a marriage consent certificate issued by her home country or by its diplomatic mission in the UAE.

As for the legal conditions for civil marriage in the UAE, they are as follows:

1. In cases of civil marriage, neither spouse must be an Emirati national or a Muslim by religion.
2. Both parties must consent to the marriage contract, and each must be at least 21 years old, which is the age of marriage in the UAE’s civil marriage law.
3. There must be no first or second-degree kinship between the spouses, and neither of them should be married to another person.

Samaha Legal Consultancy can help you understand all the conditions and regulations related to marriage in the UAE in its various forms.

Marriage Procedures in the UAE

The marriage procedures in the UAE include clear steps for both Muslims and non-Muslims:

1. Access the UAE Ministry of Justice Website: The couple must visit the official website to use the available online services for applying for marriage.
2. Submit the Application: After logging in with their digital IDs, the couple submits the required marriage application. The system allows for the seamless submission of the required documents.
3. Pay the Prescribed Fees: It is necessary to pay the specified fees to complete the marriage procedures. The couple can pay through the website.
4. For Muslims: A Sharia official (Mādhūn) is contacted to conduct the marriage contract according to Sharia. The couple must set an appointment with the Mādhūn and bring the required witnesses to finalize the contract.
5. For Non-Muslims: A notary judge meets with the couple to register and issue the marriage contract after reviewing the required documents.
6. Receive the Contract: After completing all the previous steps and procedures, the marriage contract is received.

By contacting Samaha Legal Consultancy, you can understand all the conditions and complete all legal procedures in the appropriate manner.

Required Documents

For Muslims, the required documents are:

1. Proof of identity for the applicant.
2. Proof of identity for the two witnesses.
3. Supporting documents for the application, such as divorce certificates or death certificates if one of the parties is a widow.

For non-Muslims, the required documents are:

1. Proof of identity for both spouses.
2. A no-objection letter from their embassy.
3. A medical examination certificate to confirm the health of both parties.

Samaha Legal Consultancy can help you understand all the conditions and regulations related to marriage in the UAE in its various forms. contact us