If you are getting married in Abu Dhabi, make sure you know the court marriage requirements to avoid any hiccups. To get married in Abu Dhabi you need to present your ID, a marriage proposal letter and meet the legal and procedural requirements set by the authorities.
Knowing this beforehand will save you from any delays. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and must provide proof of marital status. And there are resourceful options for those who are not familiar with the local laws and procedures.
Marriage laws can be tricky especially for expats. Knowing the steps and documents will help you plan your big day without any hiccups. This blog will guide you through the court marriage requirements in Abu Dhabi.
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How to Get Married in UAE
To get married in UAE you need to follow these steps. Here is a simple outline to help you.
- Choose a Court: Select the court according to your nationality and religion. There are courts for Islamic marriages and civil marriages.
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather the following documents:
- Valid passports and copies
- Birth certificates
- Certificate of no impediment (if applicable)
- Recent passport-sized photos
- Get Marriage License: Apply for marriage license at the court. Both parties must be present. Fees vary according to the court.
- Pre-marriage Counseling: Some courts may require counseling. This is to ensure you both understand marriage.
- Ceremony: After getting the license, the marriage will be officiated. You can choose civil or religious ceremony according to your preference.
- Registration of Marriage: After the ceremony, register the marriage. Get the marriage certificate from the court. This document may be required for future legal purposes.
- Additional Requirements: If you are a foreigner, check if your home country requires any additional documents.
Follow these steps and you will have a smooth marriage in UAE.
Eligibility Criteria
Knowing the eligibility criteria is important for a marriage in Abu Dhabi. This section covers the age, residency and consent requirements.
Age Requirements
Both parties must meet the age requirements to get married in Abu Dhabi. The minimum age is 18 years for both males and females. If either party is below 21 years, parental consent is required.
You need to provide valid ID to prove your age. Documents like passport or birth certificate may be required. Make sure all documents are translated to Arabic if they are in another language. Meeting the age requirement is important for the legal recognition of the marriage.
Residency Status
Your residency status is important in the marriage process in Abu Dhabi. Both UAE nationals and expats can get married but the requirements are slightly different.
For expats, you will need to provide the required documents such as residence visa and proof of your legal status in UAE. You will also need to get a marriage certificate from your home country which may need to be attested. Be ready to present your residency status during the application process.
Consent Conditions
Consent is a condition before you can get married in Abu Dhabi. Both parties must give their free and informed consent for the marriage to be valid.
If one or both parties are below 21 years, parental or guardian consent is required. For expats, a letter of consent from a parent or guardian may be required if either party is underage. Make sure consent is clear and documented for your marriage to be legal in the region.
Legal Documents
When getting married in court in Abu Dhabi, you need to gather all the required legal documents. These documents will make the marriage recognized by the authorities and compliant with the local laws.
Passport and ID
You need to present valid passports as the primary ID. Make sure both partners’ passports are current and have at least 6 months validity.
In addition to passports, you may be required to provide government issued photo ID like national ID or driving license. These documents will prove your identity and nationality which is important for the marriage process.
Make copies of your ID documents as the court may ask for it for their records. It’s better to have both original and photocopy.
Marital Status Proof
To prove your marital status, you need to submit documents like divorce decree or death certificate if either party has been married before. These documents should be official copies, preferably translated to Arabic if they are in another language.
If you are single, you may be asked for a “No Objection Certificate” from your home country, confirming your eligibility to get married. This certificate varies based on your nationality so check the requirements specific to your case.
Check with the Abu Dhabi court for the specific requirements on these documents.
Residency Documents
You need to provide proof of residency in UAE as part of the marriage requirements. Acceptable documents are residence visa or utility bills with your name and address.
If either party is not a UAE national, additional documents may be required like a letter from your embassy confirming your residency status.
Make sure all documents are updated and reflects your current address. This will avoid any hassle during the marriage registration process.
Cultural and Religious Considerations
In Abu Dhabi, cultural and religious considerations play a big role in court marriage requirements. Understand these principles to make the marriage process smoother.
Islamic Marriage Principles
Islamic marriage principles emphasizes the importance of a valid contract called “Nikah”. This contract is an agreement between the bride and groom which includes terms like Mahr (mandatory gift from the groom to the bride) and witnesses.
Both parties’ consent is required along with the presence of two male witnesses or one male and two female witnesses. The husband is generally expected to be the breadwinner of the family. Approach this with respect to Islamic teachings and make sure all requirements are met for the marriage to be valid.
Interfaith Marriage Rules
Interfaith marriage in Abu Dhabi has its own rules. A Muslim can marry a non-Muslim and a non-Muslim can marry a Muslim but the non-Muslim partner must convert to Islam if they want to marry under Islamic law.
This conversion process involves both religious and procedural aspects. The couple will need to seek permission from the authorities and may need to provide documents like proof of religion and ID.
Interfaith couples should also prepare for the cultural challenges and respect each other’s beliefs which will affect their marriage and family life. It’s better to consult with the authorities to know all the legal implications.
Process and Procedures
Understand the process and procedures of court marriage in Abu Dhabi involves several steps. Each step from the marriage application to the ceremony requires attention to detail.
Marriage Application
To start the marriage process you need to submit a marriage application. This application can be obtained from the court or online portal. Both parties need to provide ID like valid passports and residence visas.
You will also need to fill up a marriage contract which outlines the terms of the marriage. Be prepared to pay a fee when submitting this application. It’s better to book an appointment with the court as this process is time bound.
Bring all the required documents before your appointment to avoid any delay. Make sure everything is signed and dated as per the legal requirements.
Witness Requirements
In Abu Dhabi, having witnesses during the marriage ceremony is mandatory. You need to provide at least two witnesses who meet the criteria. The witnesses should be adults, above 21 years old and have valid ID.
Their presence will attest to the validity of the marriage and the voluntariness of your agreement. Witnesses can be friends or relatives as long as they can understand the significance of the ceremony.
Better to check with the court if there are any additional requirements for the witnesses. Having good witnesses will make the marriage process smoother.
Ceremony Details
Court marriage in Abu Dhabi is a simple process. It usually takes about 30 minutes and has a religious or civil officiation. You need to choose between religious or civil ceremony as per your preference.
During the ceremony both parties will be asked to repeat their vows and sign the marriage contract in front of the officiant and witnesses. Be prepared to present all the required ID and documents at this stage.
You will get the marriage certificate from the court after the ceremony. Keep it safe.