Table of Contents
- Are Marriages between tourists and the UAE possible?
- There are several types of marriage offered to tourist in UAE.
- Tourist Marriage in UAE Eligibility Criteria.
- Paperwork to Get the UAE Tourist Marriage.
- Tourist Marriage in UAE Process Step-by-Step.
- Is UAE Marriage Certificate International?
- The benefits of Marrying in the UAE as a Tourist.
- What are the Times to see a Family Lawyer?
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
United Arab Emirates has emerged as an ideal place where foreign couples wish to have a quick and legally already established marriage. Most tourists inquire about the possibility of getting married in the UAE as a tourist visa.
The answer to that is yes, a tourist is legally allowed to marry in the UAE, but this matter is based on the religion of the couple, the nationality of the couple, and the emirate they are getting married in. The information presented below provides an in-depth legal orientation of the most current marriage policies, qualifications, forms, and steps that tourists are required to follow in case they wish to get married in the UAE.
Are Marriages between tourists and the UAE possible?
Tourists may be married legally in the UAE under some conditions. Specifically, civil laws on marriage presented over the past few years enable non-resident foreigners to be married in the UAE, particularly via the civil family court system.
The UAE has reformed its family law system that enables foreigners and tourists who are not Muslims to also get a civil marriage without necessarily being a resident.
As illustration, at Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, any couple in any part of the world can apply to have a civil marriage and all that the applicants have to do upon the application is to travel to the UAE and conduct the ceremony.
The result of this has seen the UAE becoming one of the most convenient locations in the Middle East where international couples can marry legally.
Need Family Law Help?
Dubai's Expert Advice at Your Fingertips.
There are several types of marriage offered to tourist in UAE.
There are various legal avenues of marrying in UAE among tourists based on religion and nationality.
1. Civil Marriage (Most Popular among the tourists)
The simplest type of marriage between foreign couples visiting UAE is the civil marriage.
The modern personal status laws that permit couples to get married without the religious conditions regulate the civil marriages in the UAE.
Key features
- Non-Muslim couples can access it.
- Some emirates do not require any UAE residency.
- No church service needed.
- Fast processing
- Recognized internationally
The civil marriage is usually carried out in the Civil Family Court in Abu Dhabi that particularly caters to expatriates and international couples.
2. Marriage of religious nature (Sharia Marriage).
In the UAE courts, marriage is carried out under the Islamic Sharia law in case one or both parties are Muslims.
The list of requirements normally comprises:
- Bride’s guardian approval
- Two Muslim witnesses
- Pre-marriage medical check-ups.
- Court registration
Such marriages have to be done in strict legal terms that are guided by the UAE family law.
3. Embassy or Consulate Marriage.
Other couples get married via their embassy or consulate in the UAE.
This alternative is based on the regulations of the country that the couple is in and in most cases, it needs:
- Embassy approval
- Witnesses
- Official documentation
Once the ceremony is over, the marriage might require domestic legalization and attestation in order to be accepted abroad.
Tourist Marriage in UAE Eligibility Criteria.
As a tourist, to get married in UAE, it is usually required that they fulfil the following criteria:
Basic legal requirements
- The two should be at least 18 years old.
- Both have to give free consent to marry.
- The couple should also be free to marry another individual.
- The couple should not be very related by blood.
In the case of civil marriage:
- Normally offered to non-Muslims and foreigners.
- The two should have valid passports.
Paperwork to Get the UAE Tourist Marriage.
Most commonly required documents are: although the requirements differ slightly based on the emirate and the type of marriage, the most popular requirements are:
Identity documents
- Both parties should have valid passports.
- Entering stamp or tourist visa of the UAE.
Civil status documents
- Single status certificate (evidence that one is not married)
- Decree of divorce (in case had been married)
- Death certificate of former spouse (where necessary)
Additional documents
- Birth certificates
- Passport-size photographs
- Legal translation and witnessing (in case documents are not written in Arabic or English).
Certain types of marriage may also demand medical screening certificates in other courts.
Tourist Marriage in UAE Process Step-by-Step.
It is quite easy to do the same using legal means.
Step 1 – Prepare documents
Couples are to gather all the necessary documents like passports and marriage evidence.
Step 2 – Submit the application
The different courts or authorities may also have the means of receiving applications on the Internet.
Step 3 – Pay government fees
The cost of marriage varies according to the emirate and the kind of ceremony.
Step 4 – Attend the ceremony
The two parties are generally required to appear before the marriage authority whereby consent has to be confirmed.
Step 5- Receive marriage certificate.
After that the couple is given a legal certificate of marriage.
The data on the average time that it takes to get married in the UAE is as follows:
The UAE has a reputation of having a fast process of civil marriages.
In most instances, after documents have been prepared and approved, the marriage is required to be concluded in a few days.
This has made the UAE one of the favored countries of quick legal marriages of international couples.
Is UAE Marriage Certificate International?
Yes. Marriage in UAE that is conducted in accordance with the law is normally accepted in the whole world when it is:
- Attested by UAE authorities
- Making it legal is permissional by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
- Checked with the embassy of the home country of the couple and authorised in case necessary.
Attestation can be done properly to make sure that the certificate on marriage can be used in immigration, visa application and legal recognition outside the country.
The benefits of Marrying in the UAE as a Tourist.
The UAE has several advantages that make it a better place to marry as compared to other countries:
1. Fast legal process
Civil unions are accomplished in days.
2. No residency requirement
There are emirates where tourists and non residents can get married.
3. International recognition
The issue with marriage certificates can be legalized worldwide.
4. Modern legal framework
The process has been simplified in the recent past as a result of legal reforms that made it easy to expatriate and attract foreigners.
What are the Times to see a Family Lawyer?
Even though the marriage process in the UAE is not very complicated, legal advice is frequently proposed in the situations when:
- Couples belong to other nationalities.
- One of the partners is a Muslim and the other is non-Muslim.
- The marriages or divorces are past.
- The documents need international attestation.
Family lawyers who are experienced may also assist in making the process legal, expeditious and internationally acceptable.
Conclusion
Marriage is legal in the UAE and there is the civil marriage system that was brought to cater to the needs of foreigners and international couples. Current reforms have ensured that a non-resident couple marries without undergoing a long process, thus making the UAE a good place to get married legally.
The particular demands however are based on the religion of the couple, their nationality and the emirate, in which they get married. Professional legal advice may assist in making sure that the marriage will be finalized in a painless manner and be accepted across the globe.
Need Family Law Help?
Dubai's Expert Advice at Your Fingertips.
FAQ’s
Are marriages between tourists allowed in the UAE?
What emirate is the easiest to be married in by the tourists?
The city of Abu Dhabi is regarded as the simplest as the civil marriage court does not demand that the couples be residents of the UAE.
Are the tourists required to be residents to be able to get married in UAE?
No. In some instances, especially civil marriages, there is no need of residency.
What is the time duration to get married in the UAE?
The process can be accomplished in a few days in case documents are ready.
Does the UAE marriage have international validity?
Yes, after the marriage certificate is duly attested by the UAE authorities and made legal to be used in the foreign countries.
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