Marriage is a significant landmark in people’s lives and Dubai has a unique style of tradition and modern ways to entangle the knot. If you are a resident, expat, or visitor in Dubai, it is important to know the divorce laws, so that you can plan a stress-free and smooth getaway.
This detailed guide will cover all that you, as a reader, especially need to know about Requirements for Marriage in Dubai, and all the tips you should keep in mind on your special day.
General Requirements for Marriage in Dubai
Before you plan for your wedding, there is need for you to know the basic legal requirements of marriage in Dubai. Almost all people who intend to marry in Dubai will have to comply with these requirements regardless of nationality.
Age Requirement
- Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age are required for both parties to be married in Dubai. It’s a standard legal requirement.
- Parental Consent: Further, if either party is below 18 years of age, parental consent and court approval are needed. Although rare, this does happen, and if it does, it’s something you should be aware of.
Nationality Requirement
- UAE Residents and Nationals: One of the two must be a resident or national of the UAE. The marriage is either civil or religious, it still applies.
- Non-Residents: Non-residents can marry in Dubai, but additional documentation may be required (as covered later in this guide).
Free Consent Requirement
- Informed Consent: Free and informed consent to the marriage has to come from both parties. What that means is, that you and your partner have decided to marry, and you have no benefit in persuading them to marry.
- No Duress: The marriage could be annulled if either party is shown to be using force or coercion and legal action could be taken.
Marriage Restrictions
- Not Already Married: No one should be currently married. If either of you has been married before, you will need to bring legal proof of divorce.
- No Legal Impediments: However, any additional legal requirements that one country or religious background requires of both parties, must be met by them.
Health Certificates
- Health Screening: Before marriage, both parties may be required to give a health certificate. Usually, the certificate guarantees that neither party is suffering from a communicable disease.
- Special Considerations for Pregnancy: It is mandatory for a health certificate if one party is pregnant. This helps prevent circumstances where one of the two parties did not know of their medical health before marriage.
Specific Requirements for Non-Residents
However, if you and your partner are non-residents of the UAE, then you also need to take extra steps when you want to get married in Dubai. It is of course incredibly important to your marriage that it is recognised in Dubai and in your home country.
Marriage License
- Marriage License from Home Country: But First a marriage can be had by nonresidents, only after obtaining it from their home country or embassy there. This license means that you have the authority to marry.
- Legalization: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs must legalize the marriage license. Without this step, the document will be considered invalid in Dubai.
No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- NOC Requirement: Sometimes they may require you to provide a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from your embassy or consulate, if you are a nonresident. It is a certificate to say that your home country has no problem with your marriage.
- NOC Legalization: The NOC must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE, like the marriage license.
Proof of Residency
- Residency Proof for UAE Residents: If the UAE resident party does not have residency status, they will have to prove themselves. Residency visa OR Emirates ID can be valid proof of this.
- Importance of Residency: Marriage in the UAE requires proof of residency that proves that the marriage occurs within the terms of the laws that relate to residents in the UAE.
Additional Requirements for Religious Marriages
Dubai is such a multicultural and religious city that lots of people get wed within the Islamic faith. All of them vary so it is important that you understand them before planning your wedding.
Religious Certificate
- Religious Affiliation: For religious marriages, both parties must provide a certificate of religious affiliation. For instance, if you are tying the knot in a church, you will need a certificate from your church to be part of your religion.
- Documentation for Different Faiths: As you can see, Muslims, Christians, and Hindus may have different requirements, so it is important to check it with their religious authority in Dubai specifically to know the documents you need.
Religious Procedures
- Following Religious Protocols: Your religious happiness creates rules and customs for Religious marriages. “But when I am married in Dubai, I am marrying according to Islamic law and this is Sharia, Christian, and Hindu marriages come under the faith customs and practices”.
- Legal Documentation: Once the religious ceremony is over, you must also obtain it by commercially registered with the Dubai Courts, or the respective civil institution, to mark it as officially valid.
Important Legal Considerations
In addition to the procedural requirements, there are a few important legal points you should ascertain before getting married in Dubai. These considerations will insure your marriage is equally legally valid and protected in the event of any future legal complications.
Marriage Contract
- Prenuptial Agreement: It’s not mandatory, but quite strongly recommended for the two parties to sign a marriage contract or prenuptial agreement. If parties were to split, this agreement sets out what would happen, rights, and obligations.
- Financial and Custodial Provisions: The terms of the marriage contract may include payments of the marriage settlement, custody of children, and other important things of the relationship.
Divorce Process in Dubai
- Islamic Law: The divorce law in Dubai is based on Islamic law (Sharia), even if the couple has nationality or religion of any religion. The fact is that the laws of your home country may not apply in Dubai.
- Legal Steps for Divorce: If you and your spouse are considering divorce, you will need to follow the legal procedures set out under Sharia law. This includes mediation sessions, legal consultations, and formal hearings.
Child Custody
- Islamic Law for Custody: Islamic law also defines the custody arrangements of children. Most of the time, the children are given to the mother until the children reach a certain age after which the father takes over.
- Custody Agreements: Pre or postnuptial agreements may outline specific custody arrangements but these agreements must be in harmony with local laws.
Recommended Steps for Marriage in Dubai
A wedding in Dubai is a seriously big party to plan. Here are the things you should do to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Step 1: Research the Legal Requirements
- Gather Information: Learn all about the legal requirements of marriage in Dubai. Your nationality and religious affiliation determine how these requirements vary.
- Check with Authorities: If there are any specific legal obligations surrounding your case, especially in Dubai you should contact the relevant officials which includes the Ministry of Interior or the Department of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, for clarification.
Step 2: Consult with Legal Authorities
- Legal Advice: Consulting a family law lawyer in Dubai is always a good idea. That is to make sure you fully understand what your rights and obligations under the law are.
- Embassy Assistance: If you are a non-resident, it is always better to consult with your embassy to check that your marriage is accepted in Dubai and also in your place of residence.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
- Essential Documents: Besides your passport and residency proof, collect health certificates, any religious affiliation certificates and all the documents you may need for the marriage.
- Embassy and Ministry Visits: In addition to the above, you need to be ready to visit your home country’s embassy as well as the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs to legalize the documents for document legalization and to get your No Objection Certificate.
Step 4: Decide on Your Marriage Venue
- Civil, Religious, or Mixed Marriage: You need to decide on the type of ceremony you prefer. Dubai Courts conducted the civil marriage while the religious marriage proceeds according to your faith.
- Venue Considerations: Your wedding venue can be a religious institution, a civil court, or a scenic spot. Be sure to book the venue early to avoid last-minute snafus.
Step 5: Arrange the Marriage Ceremony
- Book a Date: After officially formalizing your marriage contract, you can start to prepare for your wedding. It all starts with booking a date and telling your guests.
- Plan the Event: Whether you choose a small private ceremony or a large celebration, ensure that all aspects of the event, including catering, decoration, and entertainment, are organized according to your preferences.
Final Words
While marriage in Dubai is simple, there are plenty of details that need careful attention due to legal aspects. If you follow the above steps and fulfill all the legal and procedural obligations, you can guarantee that your marriage is recognized and valid. To ensure there are no catches, always consult with the appropriate authorities and the skilled advice of a lawyer. Getting married in Dubai whether you’re a resident or a nonresident can be a smooth and joyous experience as long as it is done the correct way.
