How do you get married at Dubai Courts?

Through Dubai Courts’ marriage contract service, which handles both civil and Islamic marriage contracts.¹ Which one you use depends on your religion and residence.

Can you have a civil marriage in Dubai?

Yes, if you meet all the conditions u.ae lists for Dubai’s civil marriage:²

• both of you are non-Muslims
• at least one of you is a resident of Dubai
• both of you are at least 21
• you, or your legally authorised representatives, attend in person
• you bring original IDs and proof that you are single

Documents are submitted as PDF copies. Documents not in Arabic need certified Arabic translations stamped by the UAE Ministry of Justice. Documents issued outside the UAE must be certified by the foreign ministry of the issuing country, the UAE embassy there, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.²

u.ae describes the Dubai service as a civil wedding licence “in just 24 hours”. It publishes no fee for it.²

What if neither of you lives in Dubai?

Dubai’s civil marriage needs a Dubai resident. Abu Dhabi’s civil marriage has no residency condition, and neither partner may be a UAE national.² See civil marriage in Abu Dhabi.

How does a Sharia marriage work in Dubai?

Dubai Courts and authorised marriage officials conclude Islamic marriages. u.ae lists Dubai Courts’ list of officials and its online application.¹ The usual documents are IDs or passports, proof of marital status, a medical fitness certificate for both of you, and two Muslim witnesses, with the bride’s guardian where required.¹

Dubai Health runs premarital screening at its health centres. For UAE nationals a genetic test is included, with results “typically available within two weeks (10 working days)” after both samples are received.³ See premarital screening.

Check the residency and age conditions, then order certified copies of your documents before you set a date with any venue.