How to Get Married in Abu Dhabi

Yes, you can get married in Abu Dhabi as a non-Muslim, and you don’t have to live in the UAE. Abu Dhabi runs a civil marriage system under Law No. 14 of 2021, and the government says residents, tourists and visitors can apply. If you are wondering how to get married in Abu Dhabi as a non-Muslim, the process is shorter than most people expect.

One warning first. Online guides often disagree on details like fees, witnesses and where to file. That disagreement is a signal to check the court’s own pages before you book anything.

Who can get married in Abu Dhabi?

The government portal and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) list the same core conditions:

• Both partners are non-Muslim, or citizens of a non-Muslim country.
• Both are at least 18.
• Both give free consent.
• Neither is currently married.
• You are not closely related.

Do you need to be a resident?

No. Tourists and visitors can apply too. Some law firms also say that you can submit the application online before you travel and then book your ceremony date.

Can a mixed-faith couple marry?

Yes. The law allows interfaith civil marriage, as long as the other conditions are met.

How to get married in Abu Dhabi as a non-Muslim: step by step

• 1. Check the rules at home

• What you do: Ask your embassy or a lawyer if your country recognizes an Abu Dhabi civil marriage certificate.
• Good to know: Do this before you pay for flights.

1. 2. Get the application form

• What you do: Download it from the ADJD website. It exists in Arabic and English.
• Good to know: Fill it in together and sign it.

1. 3. Prepare your documents

• What you do: Passport copies, or Emirates ID copies if you are a resident, plus proof or a declaration that neither of you is married.
• Good to know: Requirements can vary by case, so confirm with the court.

1. 4. Apply

• What you do: Apply online through the ADJD website or in person at the Civil Family Court.
• Good to know: The court charges a fee. I don’t quote it here because it changes.

1. 5. Book your ceremony

• What you do: Pick a date and time once your application is accepted.
• Good to know: Leave a few spare days in your trip.

1. 6. Attend the ceremony

• What you do: Bring your passports or IDs. A civil marriage officer leads the ceremony and you sign the certificate.
• Good to know: Guests can attend. They show ID at the entrance.

What documents do you need for a civil wedding in Abu Dhabi?

• Signed application form

• Who needs it: Both partners
• Note: Available on the ADJD website

1. Passport copy

• Who needs it: Both partners
• Note: Tourists and non-residents

1. Emirates ID copy

• Who needs it: UAE residents
• Note: Can replace the passport copy

1. Proof or declaration of no current marriage

• Who needs it: Both partners
• Note: Ask the court what it accepts for your nationality

1. Marriage agreement (prenup)

• Who needs it: Optional
• Note: Only if you want one

Common mistakes couples make

• Couples often book flights before they check the document list.
• They assume home-country recognition without asking anyone.
• They trust a five-year-old blog post about fees or procedure.
• They leave no buffer days in case a date moves.

Does that sound too cautious? Maybe. But a missing paper costs far more than ten minutes of checking.

What the day looks like, and where photos fit

The ceremony is short and formal. Plan your photos around it, not inside it. Photography inside the courthouse has its own rules, so ask the court in advance. Many couples add a short outdoor session afterward. I offer civil wedding photography in Abu Dhabi for exactly this.

Keep a plan B for the weather. At my brother’s civil wedding it rained four times during our portrait session, and we waited in a café between showers. I wrote about it in my rainy wedding story. Some of the warmest photos came from those breaks.

The one idea to keep

A civil wedding in Abu Dhabi is mostly paperwork done early and a calm half hour on the day. Get the rules right first and the rest gets easy.

What worries you most: the documents, the date, or the day itself?

If you plan a small wedding in Abu Dhabi and want a relaxed love story photoshoot in Abu Dhabi afterward, I’d be happy to talk about your day.