Dubai is blessed with a host of captivating settings that attract tourists and investors. Many would also want to take advantage of these enticing factors to seal their marriages in Dubai. However, anyone who intends to marry in Dubai must understand the marriage laws of this city.

Sharia law is the guiding principle for marriage in Dubai. As such, the marriage procedures will mostly favor Islamic couples. In the course of this article, we will examine the requirements for marriage in Dubai and possible destinations like Georgia and Seychelles.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE IN DUBAI

First, the consent of the bride is important when planning a marriage in Dubai. Secondly, at least one of the couple needs to be resident in the UAE, therefore, they must submit residence permits or any other legal documentation that proves this.

When the marriage process begins, the couple will present some documents before the presiding court. The main documents required for marriage in Dubai include:

• Passports
• Birth certificates of the couple
• Medical examination results obtained from the Health Ministry of the UAE
• Death certificate of a former couple (in case any of the prospective couple had lost a marriage mate)
• Divorce certificates (if any)

In addition to the requirements above, certification and authentication of the official papers is also necessary. After translation to Arabic, the next step is certification. The Public Notary does this.

Next, the certificates will be authenticated at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If the couple also wants the certificates to be recognized in their home country, they will have to submit these to their respective embassies.

WHO CAN MARRY AT THE DUBAI COURTS?

Dubai does not allow marriage for just anyone. As stated earlier, the couple first needs to be bona fide residents in Dubai. Next, they ought to be adherents of the Islamic religion. This is so because the marriage is often conducted according to Sharia law. 

The above notwithstanding, non-Muslim couples can also get married in Dubai but for that to happen, they must meet the listed requirements above and be up to the legal age of 18. However, instead of the Sharia court, they will have to use their embassies or religious institutions. They could also choose to have a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi.

A Muslim man may marry a fellow Muslim woman with her consent. A Muslim man can also marry a woman from another religion but the reverse is not the case. 

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR COUPLES WHO CAN NOT HAVE A DUBAI COURT MARRIAGE?

Dubai is indeed a pleasant country that entices many expats. While a wedding ceremony in this emirate sounds good, non-Muslim expats might have to consider other possibilities because of the law’s rigorous expectations. The marriage protocols can last up to two months.

Destination wedding locations like Georgia and Seychelles are good choices for expats who wish to get married in a conducive atmosphere. These are the basic requirements for marriage in these locations;

• Passports
• Birth certificates
• Translation and authentication of the passports
• Presence of witnesses

An online wedding is another stressless option. The same papers are required for this type of wedding. As can be seen above, the legal requirements are not much and due to the fewer documents required, the process can be concluded on time. 

Are you fascinated by the idea of a Georgian or Seychelles wedding? You can learn more about the paperwork and official processes by booking a consultation with our wedding agency.