UAE: What is the procedure for non-Muslims to get married in Dubai?

Here’s a complete guide of the rules couples must follow and the places where they can exchange vows

Question: My fiancé and I live in Dubai. We are non-Muslims and wish to get married in the UAE. How should we go about this?

Answer: Pursuant to your queries, as you and your fiancé are non-Muslims residing in Dubai, the provisions of Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil personal Status are applicable.

Furthermore, non-Muslim individuals (bridegroom and the bride) who wish to get married in the UAE through the respective Personal Status Court must be at least 21 years of age, and each individual to the marriage (bridegroom and the bride) needs to expressly declare before the judge his and her consent to marry and both the individuals (bridegroom and the bride) need to sign the disclosure form. The conditions related to civil marriage of non-Muslims in the UAE are mentioned in Article 5 of the UAE Personal Laws for Non-Muslims, which states, “The civil marriage shall be conditional upon the following:

Additionally, the procedures of civil marriage for non-Muslims in the UAE are mentioned in Article 6 of the UAE Personal Laws for Non-Muslims, which states,

“Procedures for civil marriage contract and its certification

Based on the aforementioned provisions of law, you and your fiancé may consider marrying before a Judge in the Personal Status Court of Dubai upon fulfilling the aforementioned requirements mentioned in UAE Personal Laws for Non-Muslims. You and your fiancé may also consider marrying in non-Muslim religious centres (churches, Hindu temples or temples) in Dubai which are approved by the Community Development Authority of Dubai.

Furthermore, if you and your fiancée are Indians, or if one among you is an Indian you may consider getting married at the Consulate General of India-Dubai under the provisions of the Indian Foreign Marriage Act of 1969. However, if you are of other nationalities, you may check with your embassy or the consulate general in the UAE if it provides services for conducting marriages for non-Muslim residents of UAE.

Ashish Mehta is the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practise law in Dubai, the United Kingdom and India. Full details of his firm on: www.amalawyers.com. Readers may e-mail their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or send them to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.