Will UAE Courts allow child relocation after divorce if the father is Emirati?

If both spouses agree on the terms of custody and expenses, the court has no reason to object to that. I only advise you to have the agreement notarized or signed by both parties, and to request that the husband officially acknowledges it in an attested official record so that it becomes binding on him.

You may contact me on WhatsApp, and I will provide you with a complete legal consultation for free.

Be advised that the UAE Courts prioritize the best interest of the child. Since you and your husband have agreed on co-parenting (visits, schooling, alimony, video calls), you have suitable housing abroad, and your daughter has strong ties to your family there, the court is likely to approve the relocation.

The notarized consent from the father and a clear parenting plan further strengthen your case, though the court may include safeguards such as scheduled visits and regular updates on your daughter’s well-being.

For more details, please share your WhatsApp number; our team will contact you immediately to review your case and guide you through the process.

Thank you for reaching out and for sharing the details of your situation with us. We fully understand the stress and uncertainty you are experiencing, your case aligns strongly with what courts generally accept.

UAE Courts can approve the relocation of a child abroad if two conditions are met:

1. Both parents CONSENT clearly and in writing, and
2. The relocation is proven to be in the child’s best interests.

For drafting of mutual agreement and further clarification, you may contact us through email, direct call, or WhatsApp.

Greetings,

Relocation of a child after divorce is possible in the UAE, especially when both parents mutually agree, and the move is proven to serve the best interests of the child.

Your situation — a stable home in your country, strong family support there, the father’s written consent, and a clear co-parenting plan — strengthens your position.

However, the UAE Court must still review and approve the agreement, and each case is assessed individually. Proper legal drafting and submission are essential to avoid objections or future disputes.

For accurate guidance and to ensure the relocation agreement is accepted by the court, you may book a consultation or appoint FUTURE VISION ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANCY to handle the process on your behalf.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for sharing the details of your situation.

Under UAE law, child custody and relocation matters are treated very seriously. The court’s primary consideration is always the best interests of the child. Since you and your husband have agreed on all aspects of co-parenting including visits, alimony, schooling, and regular communication, and he is willing to provide a notarized consent for relocation, the court is more likely to approve your request, especially if you can provide evidence that the relocation will be in the child’s best interests, such as:

• Proof of a stable home environment abroad (title deed attested and in your name).
• Evidence of close family support for your daughter (living with grandparents, familiar environment).
• A clear plan for maintaining strong contact with the father (visits, video calls, holidays).

Process under UAE law:

• File the divorce and custody petition with the UAE Family Court.
• Submit a custody and relocation agreement, signed and notarized by both parents, along with supporting documents (attested title deed, co-parenting plan).
• The court may schedule a hearing to review the child’s welfare and the agreement.
• The court will issue a custody decision, including approval (or modification) of the relocation plan.
• Even with mutual consent, courts may still carefully review the arrangements, and sometimes additional documentation or a guardian’s report may be requested.

If handling the documentation, notarization, attestation, and court submissions feels challenging, we can assist you to prepare all documents, coordinate approvals, and submit the petition on your behalf, ensuring the process is completed efficiently and in compliance with UAE law.

Please let us know if you wish us to proceed with this support.

Kind regards,

Mohammad Salah, Legal Consultant

The court will not give an automatic “yes”, but what you describe gives you a realistic chance if it is drafted and presented correctly.

We have already handled a partially similar case where a foreign mother, married to a UAE national, obtained court approval to relocate with the child because both parents signed a clear agreement and the mother proved stable housing, family support and continued contact with the father.

There is more than one angle the judge will look at: best interest of the child, stability in your home country, strong emotional ties with your parents, and whether the father’s consent is genuine, detailed and enforceable, including visits, video-calls and schooling. The risk is that any vague clause or later change of mind from the father could trigger a future objection. To maximise the chances of approval, the relocation and custody terms must be drafted very carefully and supported with all documents you mentioned.

I strongly recommend you share the draft settlement and title deed, so we at RASHID ALKAITOOB ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS can refine it before it goes to the judge.

This response is provided by RASHID ALKAITOOB ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS, based solely on the information you have provided, and does not constitute a final legal opinion. A binding legal assessment can only be given after reviewing the full documents of the case.