How Do Expats Get Married In Dubai part 2 – Part one is here.

Overview of the Marriage Law & Tradition in Dubai

Dubai is an Arabian city in the UAE known for its extreme modernization. The area has become a popular tourist destination, with many American’s choosing to live there because of its cultural tolerance and economic stability.

With over one million residents, the country has embraced much of the modern world while still holding onto its religious traditions. Monogamy is not banned, and a couple may marry as they please, but Islamic law is observed closely.

Under Sharia Law, there are strict rules about the requirements for a marriage to be considered legal within the UAE. In order for a marriage to be recognized, it must have two witnesses who can validate that both parties agreed to enter into the contract of matrimony. This is the only requirement, but there are a few other circumstances that can affect a marriage in court.

In Dubai, many marriages are prenuptial agreements recognized with an official document from the government recognized as a Marriage Contract. This is recognized by two witnesses and must be signed by both parties before exchanging money or property between them.

In the event that a family member of either party claims they have been coerced into the marriage, they can file a complaint against their spouse with an official document called a “Prohibition Request.” This is a court-issued order to stop a couple from being able to live together or cohabitate legally.

You Must Be At Least 21 Years Old

Marrying a minor under the age of 21 is not permitted in Dubai. In order to enter into matrimony, one party must be at least 21 years old, while the other should be 18 or older. However, courts are permitted to grant females aged 16 or older and males aged 18 or older to marry.

Provide Your Last 3 Months’ Salary Slips As A Proof

Dubai doesn’t allow marrying someone already married, so divorcees and widows/ers looking to remarry need to present their last three months’ salary slips as a requirement for marriage registration. The salary slips are confirmed as proof of income and solvency.

Not Everyone Can Be Married From Home

In Dubai, you aren’t allowed to be married in a place other than a government marriage office. Also, you can’t marry someone of inferior status, including non-Muslims and those with mental illness. Besides, a person can’t be married to a minor or someone already married.

You Must Have a Valid Residence Permit

In Dubai, it is mandated that those wishing to enter into matrimony apply for permission from the competent authority as required by current laws and regulations. In addition, those residing in the UAE on a visit visa are obliged to apply for a marriage license before celebrating their marriage.

You Are Only Allowed Up To Four Wives

Islam is the official religion of Dubai, so Sharia Law is the doctrine on which the daily affairs of residents are based upon. It’s permitted to have no more than four wives, provided that one is able to fulfill all his/her marital duties and support them financially. And it’s illegal to have a temporary marriage contract here, other than in some rare circumstances.

You Can’t Marry a Non-Muslim

In Dubai, you can’t legally marry someone who is non-Muslim. And neither party must be another Muslim without getting prior permission from the Sharia Court. All marriages between Arabs and foreigners, as well as Emiratis and foreign women, are banned in Dubai until further notice.

You Can’t Marry More Than Once

According to Dubai law, it’s not permitted to marry more than once. It means that those who are already married and want to remarry need to wait to complete their divorce procedures before they apply for another marriage license. Also, if one is able to obtain permission from his wife or her husband, he/she is permitted to marry again after the completion of his or her divorce procedures.

You Can’t Get Married If You Are Ill

In Dubai, you’re obliged to present your spouse with a health certificate before being allowed to register for marriage. A medical statement should be issued by an authorized government hospital stating that one can physically engage in a sexual relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions about Marriage in Dubai

What do I need to get married in Dubai?

Applicants wishing to marry must provide their Emirates ID card, birth certificate, and passport. The Misdemeanour Court carries out a civil marriage. Religious ceremonies are performed by official religious authorities on weekdays except Fridays before noon or on Saturdays after evening prayer times.

How long does it take to get married?

It takes approximately one week after submitting all of the above-mentioned documents to get married. Applicants are required to make an appointment with Court on Wednesdays, Fridays, or Saturdays depending on their nationality, sex and religion. Saturday appointments are only compulsory for Muslim applicants.

What happens at the marriage ceremony?

During the ceremony, consent is given by both applicants in the presence of a registrar before an official witness. The registrar will then issue a certificate to be submitted to the Dubai Courts within 48 hours for registration (this does not include weekends and public holidays).

How much does it cost to get married?

The total cost for a civil marriage is AED 1,100, which includes the services of a registrar and medical check-ups. Religious wedding costs vary according to the ruling authority.

When can I be married?

Applicants can be married from Monday through Friday from 09:00hrs until 13:00hrs except Fridays before noon and Saturdays after evening prayer times for Muslim applicants.

Can I change my name after marriage?

Under Sharia law, a wife is entitled to keep her maiden name by a written undertaking from her husband after signing the civil marriage contract before a registrar. A woman can also choose to use her husband’s name or her name, depending on the circumstances.

Are there special laws for foreigners in Dubai?

No, there are no different rules for marrying a foreigner. The conditions are the same as required for any other nation. A valid civil marriage conducted outside the UAE is also recognized under Sharia law towards residency requirements if both parties are Muslim or have applied for an official change of nationality to the UAE.

What about divorce?

A husband can file for divorce after he has presented his grounds for annulment; then, the matter is heard by a Sharia Judge, who will issue a final judgment on whether or not to dismiss the case.

 Grounds for annulment include insanity, impotence, lack of judgment, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, marriage to another person during the engagement period, and not informing one’s spouse about an existing marriage.

Conclusion

A wedding in Dubai is special because of the city’s beauty and its incredible skyline. Expats will often flock to this area for work, but it can be difficult to meet people when colleagues constantly surround you. Nonetheless, you can navigate this platform to know more about the websites meant for dating in Dubai.

How Do Expats Get Married In Dubai part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

So, you’ve been in Dubai for a while, and you’re enjoying every single bit of the lifestyle this city offers? That’s great! You might have realized that certain expat communities tend to get together quite often. Naturally, due to the fact that they live abroad, most of them also date each other pretty frequently.

You’ve been dating the love of your life for a while, and you’re both wondering if it’s time to take this relationship to the next level. Well, one question that has probably popped up in your head is: “How does one get married in Dubai? “For those not aware of what kind of lifestyle usually comes with living abroad, we can tell you that it’s not often easy to get married in Dubai.

There are many requirements, and we will help you figure them out one by one. The first and most important thing you should do is check with your embassy if you’re a citizen allows for marrying someone from another country. This is because; it may vary depending on who you are and your nationality.

The next step would be to check the local laws, as well as the guidelines for marriage set forth by the Dubai government. Once these two steps have been taken care of, you can start looking into the practicalities of getting married in Dubai: who should be present at your wedding? Who can officiate the ceremony? What paperwork will you have to fill out?

The answers to the questions above have been answered here. If you’re reading this article, rest assured that you’ve come to the right place. Today, we have compiled this useful guide to explain how to get married as an expat in Dubai. I’m sure you’d like to know what we’ve unleashed for you? If that sounds like a yes, read further to understand more!

Factors to Consider Before Getting Married in Dubai

A lot of couples that are getting married for the first time will be doing it in Dubai. It is a very popular place to get married because of the beautiful surroundings, high-quality service providers, and no tax.

However, if you are not careful about where you shop for your wedding dress or suit, what hotel you stay at for your honeymoon, and how you obtain your legal marriage license, then you might not be married in Dubai. Here are five factors to consider before getting married in Dubai.

Ensure You’re Legally Eligible To Get Married

If one of the parties is getting married in Dubai is a U.S. citizen, then that person must obtain their fiancé visa before getting married in Dubai. You cannot just fly to Dubai to get married without this requirement being fulfilled because the legal marriage age in Dubai is 18, while it is just 16 years of age in the U.S.

The second party should be aware of where his or her passport was issued and whether or not they can legally get married in Dubai. You do not want to avoid the legal marriage age issue by flying a party to a country that has no minimum age requirement because if this is the case, then you can be arrested and charged with statutory rape.

Get Married In the Right Country

If one party is from Dubai and the other party is not, it will definitely be in your best interest to get married in Dubai. If you are marrying someone from Dubai, then you might want to consider having the wedding in a different country if they do not have citizenship in that country.

If this is your situation, then it can become difficult for your spouse to move over to the new country with their family depending on their legal status with their current government, especially if they are not a citizen of your home country.

Shop Your Wedding Attire in the Right Place

If you do not want to go shopping for your wedding attire or honeymoon lodging in Dubai, then be sure to avoid doing so there.

To save money on the cost of getting married in Dubai, you can expand your search for all of your wedding attire and honeymoon lodging to the U.S., where it is typically less expensive than in Dubai. You will not need to spend money on getting there or staying there, but you will still get goods that are just as high in quality as they would be in Dubai at better prices than what you would have to pay there.

Consider the Tax Implications

While it might not be very expensive for you to get married in Dubai, your guests flying in from other countries might find the trip expensive because they will have to pay a high price tag for their plane tickets.

This is where the location of your wedding becomes important because you do not want to be having people travel from all over the world just to attend your wedding, only for them to have a big tax bill waiting for them at their home country’s airport. This will definitely become a huge problem.

On the other hand, if you are having your wedding in a place like the U.S., then you should not have to worry about this expensive tax bill at all.

Determine Your Reputation

If your party is from Dubai and they want to simply get married in Dubai with no plans to move to another country, then you will not have the concern about what their legal status is in your home country.

This is because they can simply remain in Dubai, where they are citizens, and live without any issue. If they decide that they want to come over to your home country after getting married, then at least they have a legal right to come and live there as a resident.

5 Tips to Getting Married In Dubai

Getting married in Dubai is a great option if you want the best of both worlds: a relaxing yet exciting honeymoon experience. As an emirate known for its beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels, it’s also a great destination for honeymooners as well as those getting hitched. Here are five tips to get you started on the process of getting married in Dubai.

1.    Research the Legal Requirements

Make sure you understand and know about all the requirements that need to be satisfied before your marriage can take place. You’ll find everything from how long you must stay in Dubai after your application for a visa is made to where you can get married.

2.    Plan Ahead

The minimum time for a tourist visa is two months, and the maximum limit of your stay in Dubai is three months – so if you want to stay longer, think about applying for a longer-term visa upon entry into the country. Moreover, if you’re a Muslim, keep in mind that Islamic ceremonies can only be carried out during the day.

3.    Choose a Wedding Planner

Many wedding planners are operating in Dubai to help you with your requirements and needs. If you decide to go this route, make sure to compare offers and prices so you can get the best value for your money and choose a company that’s reliable and experienced.

4.    Decide On the Style of Wedding

Having a lavish wedding with all your friends and family present? Or do you want something intimate with just the two of you? Either way, make sure to choose a package that suits your requirements. That being said, make sure you go for a package that offers great value for your money.

5.    Prepare For an Exceptional Honeymoon

After spending months planning your wedding, the fun part begins—enjoying your honeymoon! Explore different parts of the city and visit different attractions so you can have a unique experience in Dubai. In fact, you might also want to consider getting married in other emirates for a change of scenery.

Ways Expats Can Get Married In Dubai

If you’re planning to get married in Dubai, but aren’t planning on spending all of your money getting there and back, then this article is for you! There are ways that an expat can get married in Dubai without spending the equivalent of a small country’s GDP on their wedding.

Outlined below are five different options: local weddings, civil ceremonies, registered partnerships, common-law marriages, and more.

Civil Ceremonies

A civil ceremony is the cheapest route for expats looking to get married quickly in Dubai. While the UAE government doesn’t recognize it as a binding marriage (unless the couple has signed a prenuptial agreement), it does give them access to a civil marriage license, allowing you to have a legal wedding in Dubai.

In order to get this sort of ceremony, the couple must have one witness from their home country present. This is usually done through an embassy or consulate, and they will need to show up with valid passports for each person involved.

Registered Partnerships

Registered partnerships allow expats to get married in Dubai as long as they aren’t Muslim and/or one person is from the UAE. This can be an ideal arrangement for those who want to have a legally recognized wedding but don’t qualify for a full-blown marriage under Sharia law.

It’s also possible to have this type of arrangement with a same-sex partner for those looking to tie the knot with their significant other.

Common-Law Marriage

Common-law marriages are meant for couples living together in Dubai that have chosen not to get married. If you’re not ready to take the plunge just yet, but still want some form of legal protection in the country, this is the way to go.

It allows both people living in Dubai to claim their partner as a dependent when it comes time for taxes, among other things. The only downside is that this route won’t allow either partner to claim property or support from the other party if they break up.

UAE Marriage Law Requirements

According to the UAE’s marriage law, marriages performed in public are considered valid. Quran ceremonies aren’t recognized by Dubai authorities, which means that only civil unions will be recognized. Couples have to provide their official ID cards before they can get married.

This is usually done at the municipality office in charge of registrations. The precise location will vary depending on your nationality.

Avoiding Marriage Scams

If you’re looking to get married in Dubai, then it’s important to know that there are marriage scams out there. These scams often target men who are looking for spouses, but they can also happen with women as well.

The perpetrators of these crimes usually look for lonely or vulnerable people who want to get married in Dubai. After building up a relationship with their victims, they’ll either ask for money or try to blackmail them into doing something illegal (and possibly dangerous).