It's not just a union of two people - a marriage is a bond that offers opportunities for sponsorship by family, inheritance rights, and UAE residency benefits in the future. Couples who live or plan to relocate to Dubai need an official and legalized marriage certificate. Getting a spouse visa, opening a joint bank account, or buying tenancy contracts all depend on your marriage certificate.
Securing your love with a valid and accepted marriage certificate is one of the most significant legal steps you can take in the UAE. Regardless of what type of ceremony you choose, having your documents properly attested provides you with the legal comfort of being prepared to start your new life together in Dubai or wherever else in the Emirates.
Obtaining Marriage Certificate - Legal Framework & Requirements
Here is the step-by-step guide on "how to apply for a marriage certificate UAE", the attestation process, and all that you need to obtain your marriage certificate legally.
Step 1 - Applying for a Marriage Certificate in the UAE
The initial step in legalizing your union is to obtain a real marriage certificate approved by the UAE authorities. The procedure will be minimally different for Muslims and non-Muslims, but can be done via the Ministry of Justice online portal using UAE PASS credentials.
Application Process:
- Register via UAE PASS
- Submit application for marriage online
- Pay fees for service (AED 50)
For Muslim couples, there will be an officer of the court who conducts the agreement. For non-Muslims, the judge legalizes the marriage (usually in a court of law or at a notary's office).
Documents to be submitted -
For Muslims:
- Applicant's Emirates ID
- Identification of the witness
- Any supporting document (such as divorce documents, if necessary)
For Non-Muslims:
- Valid identification (Passport or Emirates ID)
- No-objection certificate from the embassy
- Compulsory medical fitness certificate
Once duly processed, the couples are issued their formal UAE marriage certificate, a highly significant paper in any legal or immigration procedure involving marital status.
Step 2 - How to Attest Your Marriage Certificate in the UAE
To legalize the marriage certificate and make it compliant by all UAE authorities, or for overseas use, marriage certificate attestation is needed. It confirms the authenticity of your document and is also often needed for visa applications, immigration, inheritance, or legal cases.
Process of Attestation:
- Log request online (through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) website)
- Upload original marriage certificate online (English or Arabic translation, if needed)
- Pay attestation charge (AED 150)
- Get confirmation SMS
- Courier service (for UAE citizens) or hand-deliver documents to UAE missions overseas
Note - The certificate should be pre-attested by local government authorities (e.g., court or notary) prior to submission to MoFA.
Step 3 - Civil Marriage Services for Non-Muslims
Non-Muslim residents are entitled to use the UAE Civil Marriage Law, which offers an alternative, particularly in Abu Dhabi, as civil marriage is allowed without any religious obligation.
Gazetted into force by Law No. 14 (2021) and later extended in 2022, this type of civil marriage provides a choice for foreign nationals to be married under secular law, providing expats of all backgrounds with greater autonomy.
Requirements:
- They must both be non-Muslims
- They must be at least 18 years old
- They must both give informed consent
- They shall not both be already married
Procedure for Civil Marriage
Submit via the ADJD portal or visit a typing center
Present documents needed:
- Passport or Emirates ID
- Divorce or annulment certificate (if applicable)
- Optional - Prenuptial agreement
Fee Schedule:
- Regular Service - AED 300 (within 10 days)
- Express Service - AED 2,500 (within 1 day)
Marriage Ceremony
Couples need to show up in person at the ADJD Main Court, where pre-recorded promises are spoken in several languages. Guests, photographers, and videographers are invited making it a very modern yet intimate affair.
Following the ceremony, the marriage certificate needs to be attested by MoFA in order to make it legally acceptable for use when applying for visas and residence.
Why Marriage Certificate Attestation is Important?
An attested marriage certificate isn’t just a formality, it’s a legal requirement. It proves your marital status to UAE authorities and ensures smooth access to:
- Family visa sponsorship
- Joint property or investment ownership
- Residency applications
- Inheritance and legal claims
- Medical insurance and child custody rights
If you’re applying for a UAE Golden Visa or property-based residency permit, the marriage certificate must be ready and attested otherwise, the process may be delayed or rejected. The charges listed above were available at the time of writing this blog; for any further updates, visit the official website.
And once your legal affairs are taken care of, why not seal your union in true Dubai style?
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FAQs
- Am I able to apply online for marriage certificate attestation?
Yes, there is a straightforward online portal for posting documents and payments by the MoFA.
- How much is the attestation fee?
AED 150 per document for both local, and foreign applications.
- How long does attestation of the marriage certificate take?
It depends on the time, but if the document was issued in the UAE, it may take 5–10 working days.
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