Tie the Knot in the UAE: AED 300 Online Marriage Contract, No Residency Required
Getting married in the UAE just got a whole lot easier. With the introduction of online marriage contract applications, couples can now tie the knot without the hassle of lengthy bureaucratic processes. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) portal and the eZawaj system allow for easy and convenient registration of civil and Islamic marriages. In this article, we’ll break down the fees, eligibility, and steps required for an online marriage contract in the UAE.
The fee for a civil marriage contract in Abu Dhabi starts at AED 300 for regular processing, which takes up to 10 working days. For those in a hurry, an express service is available for AED 2,500, with processing completed within a day. In Dubai, the marriage certificate fee is AED 220. It’s worth noting that tourists can also get married in Abu Dhabi, with no residency requirements.
To be eligible for a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi, the bride and groom must be at least 18 years old. If either party is under 18, the judge’s approval is required. Additionally, a spouse’s age should not be twice the other, and a premarital screening certificate is mandatory. The screening aims to safeguard the health of the couple by ensuring no potential infections are transmitted between them.
For Islamic marriages, the process is slightly different. The marriage contract should be registered in a Sharia Court in the UAE, and the bride and groom must meet certain requirements, including a premarital screening certificate. The eZawaj system, provided by the Ministry of Justice, allows for online marriage contracts to be completed at every stage, from submitting the application to paying fees electronically.
In terms of documents required, couples will need to provide a completed and signed marriage application form, a copy of both parties’ passports or Emirates IDs, and proof of dissolution of a previous marriage or death certificate of an expired spouse, if applicable. A prenuptial agreement is optional but will cost AED 950.
The UAE offers three distinct legal routes to register a marriage: civil, Sharia, and home-country attestation. Each route has different eligibility rules, documents, fees, and implications for spouse visas, inheritance, and international recognition. Whether you’re a resident or a tourist, getting married in the UAE has never been more straightforward.
For those looking to register their marriage in the UAE, the process can be completed online through the ADJD portal or the eZawaj system. With the introduction of online marriage contract applications, the UAE has streamlined the process, making it easier for couples to tie the knot.
If you’re planning to get married in the UAE, here are the next steps to take:
- Prepare the required documents, including a completed and signed marriage application form and a copy of both parties’ passports or Emirates IDs.
- Book an appointment through the Sharia court or the ADJD portal.
- Select an authorized marriage official and pay the fees electronically.
- Attend the marriage ceremony with the required witnesses and documents.
