Expat Muslim couples who marry in the UAE can register their marriage in two ways: as an Abu Dhabi civil marriage or as a Sharia marriage. Both are legally recognised in the UAE.
InBusiness recently provided administrative support to an expat Muslim couple going through the Abu Dhabi civil marriage process with a prenuptial agreement. Our role covered coordination, paperwork and follow up with the partner law firm. The legal drafting and advice came from the law firm.
What are the two types of marriage for expat Muslim couples in the UAE?
Abu Dhabi civil marriage
Civil marriage in Abu Dhabi is registered with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) and follows a secular legal framework. It does not require a guardian (Wali), Mahr or the traditional Sharia formalities. Foreign Muslims can register a civil marriage if both partners agree. UAE nationals cannot. Both partners must be at least 18, not married to anyone else, and not related to each other by first or second degree.
Under the civil framework, spouses generally have equal rights, divorce is possible without proving fault, and joint custody is the general principle after a divorce. Couples can also set their financial arrangements in a prenuptial agreement.
Sharia marriage
A Sharia marriage is governed by the UAE Personal Status Law and Islamic principles. It requires witnesses and Mahr. Where applicable, the bride also needs a guardian (Wali). This is usually her father. If her father has passed away, her brother can act as guardian, with an attested document confirming the father’s death.
Maintenance, divorce, child custody and inheritance are generally governed by the Personal Status Law and Sharia provisions.
What is the difference between civil and Sharia marriage in the UAE?
| Abu Dhabi civil marriage | Sharia marriage | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | Secular | UAE Personal Status Law and Sharia |
| Guardian (Wali) | Not required | Required |
| Mahr | Not required | Required |
| Spouse residence visa | Yes | Yes |
The asset list in the prenup
Some prenup templates list specific asset types, such as real estate or vehicles.
To draft a customised prenuptial agreement, the couple needs to hire a UAE legal advisor.
What documents are needed for a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi?
According to the ADJD and public guidance, the documents for an Abu Dhabi civil marriage are:
- A completed and signed marriage application form.
- Passport copies of both partners.
- Emirates ID copies, for UAE residents.
- A declaration that neither partner is currently married.
- Proof that any previous marriage has ended, such as a divorce judgment, an annulment order or a death certificate.
- The prenuptial agreement, if the couple has one, with a legal translator’s stamp.
Documents issued outside the UAE, such as a foreign divorce judgment, may need legalisation and a certified translation before the court accepts them.
Can you get married online in the UAE?
Yes. Since October 2025, the whole Abu Dhabi civil marriage process can be arranged online through the TAMM app. The application, document upload, court fee payment, the ceremony on a video call with the judge, and the digital marriage certificate signed through UAE PASS are all handled online. The ceremony is an online call between the couple and the judge. Guests do not need to attend.
In the case we supported, the couple was in the UAE on the day of the ceremony.
How long does it take?
In practice, the process takes around 4 to 5 working days from application to marriage certificate, once all documents are ready. The ADJD lists up to 10 working days for the standard service and 1 working day for the express service.
Fees
- Standard service: AED 300 (ADJD).
- Express service: AED 2,500 (ADJD).
- Online marriage through TAMM: AED 800, as reported when the service launched.
- Digital attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: an extra AED 300.
- Registering a marriage agreement (prenup): an extra AED 950.
Fees may change and are published on TAMM.
What the online process involves
- The application requires a one time code (OTP) sent to the bride or groom, so both need to be reachable during filing.
- If there is a prenup, the judge presents it to the couple and confirms it with them before registering the marriage. This is done on the same online call, and the couple signs it with the online signature tool.
- The judge joins the video call at the scheduled time. In the case we supported, the couple waited on the call for an hour and the judge did not join. The appointment was rescheduled for the following Monday. Since then, we ask the coordinator to confirm with the court 30 minutes before the appointment.
- With the express service, once the court approves the application, the couple can choose the day and time within court hours.
Can the court ask for proof that a spouse is Muslim?
Yes. If a spouse’s name does not indicate that they are Muslim, the court may ask for proof, particularly for a Sharia marriage. This is usually a certificate issued after a short course of 1 to 2 days, which can be taken online.
How is an Abu Dhabi marriage certificate used outside the UAE?
After the marriage certificate is issued, the ADJD recommends having it attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To use it in another country, the certificate usually also needs to be attested at that country’s Embassy or Consulate in the UAE. Each country has its own rules, so the ADJD advises couples to check with their embassy before they use the certificate abroad.
What InBusiness does in this process
InBusiness is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. In marriage cases, our Russian speaking team provides administrative support: coordinating with the partner law firm, passing client comments on the prenup draft, organising documents and signatures, following up on court appointments, handling the spouse’s residence visa after the marriage, and family office support. Legal drafting and legal opinions come from the partner law firm.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.
FAQ
What are the two types of marriage for expat Muslim couples in the UAE?
Expat Muslim couples can register an Abu Dhabi civil marriage through the ADJD or a Sharia marriage. Civil marriage follows a secular framework, does not require a guardian (Wali) or Mahr, and allows a prenup. Sharia marriage is governed by the UAE Personal Status Law and requires witnesses, Mahr and, where applicable, a guardian.
Can you get married online in the UAE?
Yes. Since October 2025, the Abu Dhabi civil marriage can be arranged fully online through the TAMM app, including the application, the ceremony on a video call with the judge and the digital marriage certificate. In practice, the process takes around 4 to 5 working days once all documents are ready.
What documents are needed for a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi?
A signed marriage application form, passport copies of both partners, Emirates ID copies for UAE residents, a declaration that neither partner is currently married, and proof that any previous marriage has ended, such as a divorce judgment or death certificate. A prenuptial agreement, if used, needs a legal translator’s stamp.
Does a civil or Sharia marriage allow a spouse residence visa in the UAE?
Yes. Both types of marriage are legally recognised in the UAE and both allow a spouse to be sponsored for a UAE residence visa.
Who can apply for a civil marriage in Abu Dhabi?
Expats of any nationality can apply, except UAE nationals. Both partners must be at least 18, not married to anyone else, and not related to each other by first or second degree. Foreign Muslims can choose civil marriage if both partners agree.
Is an Abu Dhabi civil marriage recognised outside the UAE?
It depends on the rules of each country. The certificate is usually attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then at that country’s Embassy or Consulate in the UAE. The ADJD advises checking with your embassy before using it abroad.
About InBusiness
InBusiness is a Dubai-based accounting, tax, and corporate services firm, founded in 2021, that acts as the UAE finance and compliance arm for international businesses. The team provides outsourced accounting, tax advisory, company formation, admin services, and immigration across all Free Zones and Mainland. The team speaks English and Russian.
