4 Steps to Secure a Muslim Civil Marriage Without Complications
UAE’s updated Muslim civil marriage regulations make it easier for Muslims to legally marry through a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi. With both legal and religious aspects covered, couples can benefit from protections and advantages like property rights and residency.
In this blog, we explore the simple steps to Muslim civil marriage, along with the documentation required.
Table of Contents
About Muslim Civil Marriage
Recently, UAE revised its Muslim civil marriage laws and made it easy for a foreign Muslim to get married. A court marriage in Abu Dhabi is an option through which a couple can legally establish their relationship.
The legal protections regarding property division, alimony, and child custody all begin to apply when the couple enters into a Muslim civil marriage. Couples also receive a host of legal rights that relate to inheritance, social security benefits, and even sponsoring each other for visas and residency.
It is quite easy to obtain a civil marriage for Muslims resident in the UAE. The attestation officer of the court arranges the registration and completion of Muslim civil marriages for both the residents and visitors within Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Muslim Civil Marriage Eligibility
Article 5 of Federal Law No. (41) of 2022 on Civil Personal Status sets forth the conditions for a civil marriage:
- Both parties must be at least 21 years old.
- There should be no familial connection between the couple.
- Consent from both individuals is required.
- Each must show evidence of single status.
- Both must complete and sign a disclosure form.
Getting Married in Civil Court: What You Need
The process of getting married in a civil court is quite simple. Here’s what’s required:
- ID
- Passport
- Certificate of annulment or divorce from any prior marriage
- Two male witnesses
Civil vs. Shariah Marriage in Abu Dhabi
| Aspect | Civil Marriage | Shariah Marriage |
| Legal Framework | Regulated by Federal Law No. (41) of 2022 on Civil Personal Status. | Regulated by Islamic Sharia law. |
| Guardian (Wali) Approval | Not necessary | Required for the bride. |
| Medical Test | Not needed | Required for both parties. |
| Interreligious Marriage | Allowed under certain conditions | Generally restricted; usually same religion. |
| Marriage Registration | Registered with UAE Courts or relevant authorities. | Registered with Islamic courts. |
| Application Process | Requires form submission to the Authentication Judge for approval. | Involves religious procedures. |
| Non-Residents Marriage | Allowed with certain conditions | Often restricted; may need residency. |
| Documentation Required | Includes ID, residence proof, and previous marriage documents. | Includes ID, residence proof, and religious documents. |
| Marriage Contract Language | In both Arabic and English | Primarily in Arabic. |
| Legal Rights and Responsibilities | Defined by UAE civil law, ensuring rights and protections. | Defined by Islamic law, specifying rights and duties. |
The Benefits of Civil Marriage Following Shariah Law
While the UAE follows Sharia law on marriages, having a Muslim civil marriage afterward can bring forth certain advantages.
A Muslim civil marriage makes the union legally and officially recognized worldwide and, as such, is in a better position to address the various legal complications that come along when one goes abroad. It also hastens the process by eliminating the mandatory pre-marriage tests that often quicken an application and reduce bureaucratic interference.
Your Abu Dhabi wedding can be effortlessly streamlined with a Muslim civil marriage by Easy Wedding—explore your options today!
Muslim Civil Marriage Steps
Still confused about the steps to do civil marriage? Here’s what you need to know:
Step 1
Complete the Nikkah ceremony and have the marriage certificate attested by MOFA.
Step 2
Prepare your documents, including passport, IDs, and proof of divorce or annulment.
Step 3
Schedule an appointment for your Muslim civil marriage at the court.
Step 4
Attend the court on the scheduled date to finalize your marriage and receive the certificate.
Make Your Marriage Easy—Contact Us Today!
With Easy Wedding expert guidance on the new civil marriage regulations, making your marriage official has never been easier. Let us handle the details so you can focus on your special day.
Contact us now to start your journey toward a seamless and legally recognized marriage!
FAQs
Can a Muslim marry a non-Muslim in the UAE?
In the UAE, Muslim men are allowed to marry women from other religions, such as Christianity or Judaism. However, Muslim women typically cannot marry non-Muslim men unless the man converts to Islam. Recently, new rules have been introduced that allow Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men through civil court procedures. This means that while traditionally Muslim women needed their partners to convert, the new regulations now offer a way for them to marry without requiring this conversion.
Do you need to be a resident of the UAE to get married?
You do not need to be a resident of the UAE to get married there. Even if you are a tourist, you can still get married in the UAE. To do this, you will need to complete a marriage application and provide several documents, including your passport and proof of your current status. Once you submit these documents, they will be reviewed and approved as part of the process to formalize the marriage.
Is civil marriage the same as Nikah?
Civil marriage and Nikah are different from each other. Nikah is a marriage ceremony performed according to Islamic religious practices and is recognized as a valid marriage in Islamic countries like the UAE. On the other hand, civil marriage is conducted by a government authority and follows secular, non-religious procedures. This type of marriage is intended for people who do not follow religious practices or who prefer a non-religious ceremony for their marriage.