Questions & Answers
What law was in use for non-Muslim marriage before issuing the new law of civil marriage?
Does anyone know what Federal Law was in use for non-Muslim marriage registration in the UAE before the new law of civil marriage was implemented in February 2023?
Perhaps there is a Federal Decree that authorized churches and worship places to register marriages in the UAE?
I am looking for the official document.
In the UAE, civil marriage refers to a legal union between two individuals that is recognized by the government and is not based on any specific religious or cultural requirements. It is a separate option from religious or traditional marriages and is governed by specific laws and regulations.
Civil marriages are conducted at the Marriage Section of the Personal Status Courts in the UAE, which are part of the judicial system. The Marriage Section is responsible for registering and solemnizing civil marriages between UAE nationals, expatriates, and non-Muslim residents, regardless of their nationality or religion.
To proceed with civil marriage in the UAE, there are certain requirements and procedures that need to be followed. These may vary depending on the emirate in which the marriage is to take place, as each emirate may have its own regulations. However, in general, the following steps are involved:
Residency Requirements: Both parties to the marriage must hold a valid residency visa in the UAE. This means that at least one of the individuals must be a resident of the UAE with a valid residence permit.
Age Requirements: The minimum age for marriage in the UAE is 18 years for males and females. However, the minimum age may be lower with special permission from the court for certain cases.
Documents: The individuals getting married are required to provide certain documents, such as valid passports, residence permits, and other personal identification documents, as well as any additional documents that may be required by the Marriage Section, such as divorce decrees or death certificates of previous spouses (if applicable).
Medical Tests: In some cases, the individuals may be required to undergo medical tests, such as blood tests for certain diseases, as part of the marriage registration process.
Application: The individuals must submit an application for civil marriage at the Marriage Section of the Personal Status Courts in the emirate where the marriage is intended to take place. The application may need to be accompanied by the required documents and fees.
Marriage Ceremony: Once the application is approved, the couple will be notified of the date and time of the marriage ceremony at the Marriage Section. The ceremony is typically conducted by a judge or a court official, and may be attended by witnesses and family members.
Marriage Certificate: After the ceremony, a marriage certificate will be issued by the Marriage Section, which serves as legal proof of the civil marriage. The marriage certificate may be required for various purposes, such as applying for spousal visas, opening joint bank accounts, or registering the marriage in the home country of one or both parties.
It's important to note that civil marriages in the UAE do not have any religious or cultural requirements, and they may not be recognized by certain religious authorities or communities. Therefore, if the individuals getting married wish to have their marriage recognized by their respective religious or cultural communities, they may need to go through additional ceremonies or procedures according to the requirements of their faith or culture.
In conclusion, civil marriage in the UAE is a legal union between two individuals that is recognized by the government and governed by specific laws and regulations. It involves meeting residency, age, and document requirements, submitting an application, and going through a marriage ceremony conducted by the Marriage Section of the Personal Status Courts. Civil marriages may not have religious or cultural requirements and may need to be separately recognized by religious or cultural communities if desired by the couple.
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Legal Advisor Mohamed Magdy
As far as we know (before the Civil Marriage Law was issued), it was the UAE courts that registered non-Muslim marriages, not churches.
Churches may have blessed marriages, but obtaining the official document would be through the courts.
