UAE is constantly updating its laws and regulations, which made it almost impossible to keep track of them, most especially legislation or policies related to marriage in UAE.
For expats, the major question is how to get the paperwork over with and get on with planning the wedding.
First off, marriage laws, in the UAE are governed by Sharia Law. This law strongly establishes that the only legal bond between a man and woman is through “MARRIAGE”.
Court Marriage for Filipino and Pakistani Marriage
If a Filipino and Pakistani are planning to get married in UAE, the couple can choose to get a court marriage with the Dubai Courts. The married couple is to exchange vows with a judge presiding, instead of having a religious ceremony. To know more about the process to get married contact a family lawyer in the UAE.
Note: if a Filipino is marrying a Pakistani national, there is a need to make sure that he/she should contacts his/her own councilmate or embassy Additionally, Filipinos are the only ones allowed to conduct court marriage at the consulate general office of the Philippines.
Legal requirements for Filipino and Pakistani Marriage
- Valid permit: Residence permits are not a requirement. However, the paperwork can take almost four weeks so a couple must have valid permission to stay within the country long enough to get their documents ready.
- Premedical screening: A premarital medical certificate is needed to provide the medical status of both parties. This kind of certificate normally mentions that the parties initiating for marriage are medically fit to initiate marriage. This certificate is issued from any public healthcare facility in Dubai and the rest of UAE
- Legal representative: Attendance of a legal representative or proxy is required. For a woman to get married, she needs the consent of her guardian. In case a legal representative is not present, the presence of the next closest male guardian can be approved as a witness (i.e. closest kin such as a brother, uncle or).
- No objection letter: If the bride and the legal representative belong to different religions, then she needs to provide a no-objection letter from a relevant authority for representing the legal representative as a witness for initiating marriage.
General provisions for marriage in UAE
- Both the male and female who are getting married must be of valid age to get married
- The couples are not allowed to be related before marriage.
- Two witnesses with proper identification documents are needed.
- The marriage will take place in a church or at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai
- Passports and their photocopies, and birth certificates have to be furnished
In case any of the parties is divorced a final divorce document and previous marriage certificates should be presented. In the case of widowers, a death certificate has to be presented of the previous husband or wife.
The marriage certificate will be in English if the marriage ceremonies were performed in the same language. The marriage certificate has to be ‘Arabized’ or translated into Arabic for it to be recognized in UAE. This can be done by an official translator and the document can be certified by the Notary Public at Dubai Courts.
The marriage certificate needs more attestation starting with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), which will then be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). After all this, a married couple then needs to get certifications from their respective embassies.
Marriage services in UAE
HHS Lawyers can help with a Filipino and Pakistani marriage in UAE. Our family lawyers can help you deal with the required procedures of getting married in UAE. We can also provide marriage advice if needed. For a consultation, contact us.
