The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country with diverse individuals. People come to this country in search of better job opportunities and investments. The families have moved to the UAE for its economic and political stability, which also reflects the safety of minorities at the same time.
With this notion, marriage in the UAE has become easier than anywhere else. The legal system of the UAE offers various pathways for expatriates to get married according to their religion and nationality. The emirates also have local laws to validate a marriage in the UAE and the emirate where the couple is residing.
Options for Expats to Get Married in the UAE
A marriage in the UAE can be opted for under civil procedures as well as the home country’s laws of the couple.
Marriage in Abu Dhabi
The civil marriage process does not need any witnesses or guardians. In fact, the couple has to be 18 years or above and should have the consent of each other. It allows Muslims and non-Muslims to get married under the administrative operations. A civil marriage in Abu Dhabi is validated under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022. Moreover, the documents are vital for marriage. They include: Emirates ID, proof of the current marital status, the death certificate of the spouse or the divorce papers in case of a second marriage. The expatriates have found this option viable because it avoids complex procedures and aligns with the international standards of marriage.
Marriage in Dubai
Muslim couples can opt for getting married religiously. According to Islamic laws, a Muslim marriage has two male Muslim witnesses and a guardian from the bride’s side. There is a marriage contract, known as ‘Nikkah’. The contract is signed by both; groom and the bride. An interesting aspect of getting married in the UAE is that, whether you are doing so as per Sharia or civil laws, a premarital health certificate is required by both individuals. The document ensures that the couple is healthy and there is no threat to the UAE’s health sector.
Variation in Marriage Ceremonies in the UAE
The UAE has expats from different countries with different religions and cultures. Everyone is free to practice their religion in the UAE. The country has mosques, temples, churches and community centres.
Christian Marriages in the UAE
The Christian expats can get married in the licensed churches of the UAE, whereas other religious minorities can find their institutions in the UAE. Importantly, the marriage certificate is given to the couple, and it is attested by the authorities. The church and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) can attest to the marriage certificate. The attestation of the marriage contract validates the marriage legally.
Marriage Ceremonies in Embassies and Consulates
Some countries allow marriages through embassies and consulates. According to these marriages, the home country laws are applied to validate the marriage in the UAE. Documents play a necessary role, including passports, non-impediment certificates and witness forms. A marriage certificate is attested to use in the UAE. Having the embassy marriages also simplifies the legal matters in the future. In case of divorce or alimony, the marriage contract will be vital.
Understanding Marriages in the UAE
The UAE government ensures good health for the residents. In spite of keeping it in a healthy state, the emirates have to obtain health certificates from the couple. Besides that, they have to ensure that the UAE marriage certificates are recognised abroad.
Medical Check-ups
The medical check-ups in the UAE are conducted to see if there are any genetic conditions or if the person has an infectious disease. These are conducted on the basis of general health indicators. The idea is to ensure that the couples are making informed decisions for the future. They should only visit the authorised government-approved medical centres, as it is necessary to get married in the UAE.
Acceptance of Marriage in Foreign Countries
The UAE government issues the marriage certificates that are attested by the relevant authorities and accepted internationally. The chain of attestation ensures the process was verified, and marriage certificates are original. Hence, the couple can apply for visa applications, family sponsorships or any legal matters to manage abroad.
Challenges of Getting Married in the UAE
The foreigners in the UAE often face challenges in marriage. It is chaos if anything goes missing in the process.
Unverified Documents
Sometimes, the documents are present with the individuals, but they are incomplete because of the non-attestation from the relevant documents. Moreover, the pathway for marriage is also misunderstood by the couple. The UAE has allowed Muslims and non-Muslims to get married under civil laws. Yet, they are confused about it due to a lack of knowledge about getting married in the UAE.
Lack of Legal Assistance
The expats are not familiar with the UAE laws. They are sometimes misguided by the lawyers in Dubai. A bad experience with the legal professionals reflects poor research skills of the individual. Therefore, always seek legal help from known law firms in Dubai. A lawyer is half responsible for your marriage in the UAE because they guide you through the documents and attestations that you need to obtain the marriage certificate. Moreover, the marriage counsellors must also guide you on different options for getting married in the UAE.
Summary
A marriage is a personal account, but has to be validated according to the civil and religious laws. Living in the UAE provides you with various options of marriage, making it easier for Muslims and non-Muslims. However, the eligibility criteria have to be ensured, and so the attestations shall be conducted discreetly. Before getting married, the couple must decide what kind of marriage they will have. It will make the marriage process smooth when they would know the documents to submit in the marriage courts. The individuals should hire a lawyer before they get married in the UAE. They can have a complete consultation about the marriage procedures in the UAE.
