Getting Married In The UAE Will Soon Become Easier

Planning your wedding in the UAE? Well, it is soon to be streamlined with a portion of the admin required being made easier to complete.

Those becoming Mr and Mrs will be able to apply for marriage certificates online and sign official wedding documents over videoconferencing software.

It’s hoped that the service from Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) will be available soon as it is being displayed at GITEX 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Here are the steps to marry in the UAE once the new update is live.

Step 1: Apply for a marriage contract electronically.

Step 2: Receive approvals and complete payment procedures online.

Step 3: Book an appointment to sign the contract remotely using videoconference technology.

Step 4: Receive the final marriage contract document electronically, with digital signatures of both parties.

In February, new marriage and divorce laws for non-Muslim UAE expats came into force.

It changed divorce procedures in the country and the rules on how to formalise contracts – whether initiated by one or both parties.

The new family law also regulates procedures for inheritance, wills and proof of paternity.

According to UAE marriage laws, civil marriage contracts must meet a set of conditions that include the need for spouses to be at least 21 years old, and for a declaration form to be completed in front of a judge.

To file for divorce, one spouse must inform the court of their desire to end the marriage without having to justify, explain or blame the other spouse.

As for child custody, it is granted equally to both parents unless one submits a request to the court seeking to exclude the other based on the best interests of the child.

The law applies to all non-Muslims in the country.