Civil Marriage in Abu Dhabi for Tourists and Residents

Abu Dhabi has a civil marriage service that accepts applications from eligible UAE residents and tourists. It is separate from Dubai’s service, so do not use a Dubai document list for an Abu Dhabi application.

> This is general planning information, not legal advice. Check the current Abu Dhabi Judicial Department civil marriage page before applying or booking non-refundable travel.

Who can consider the Abu Dhabi route?

ADJD states that UAE residence is not required and encourages tourists to apply from abroad. Its published conditions say the parties must not already be married to someone else and must not be related within the first or second degree. The service is generally for non-UAE nationals, with an exception described for non-Muslim UAE nationals.

Because eligibility turns on individual facts, use the official application rather than relying on a friend’s experience. Couples considering Dubai should instead read the Dubai civil marriage guide, where at least one party must be a Dubai resident.

Documents currently listed by ADJD

The official page lists:

• each party’s passport;
• each party’s Emirates ID, where applicable;
• evidence of divorce if either person was previously divorced; and
• a former spouse’s death certificate where applicable.

Ask ADJD whether any document issued abroad needs attestation, translation or additional evidence in your case. Names and dates should match the passports exactly.

Application and ceremony process

ADJD currently describes this order:

1. submit the application and supporting documents;
2. wait for approval or a reasoned rejection;
3. pay the fee after approval;
4. receive the ceremony appointment by email;
5. attend the ceremony; and
6. receive the digitally authenticated certificate.

Tourists must travel to Abu Dhabi for the ceremony. Remote attendance is described only for residents under the published conditions. Witnesses are not required by the service, although family and friends may attend. Ring exchange and personal vows are permitted but optional.

Fees and timing

The ADJD page currently lists a standard service at AED 300 with an estimated time of up to 10 working days, and an urgent service at AED 2,500 with an estimated time within one working day. These are official service estimates, not a guarantee that every application or preferred ceremony date will be available.

Do not book flights or a reception around an assumed date. Wait for the court’s confirmation and keep contingency time for document questions.

Using the certificate outside the UAE

ADJD says the marriage certificate must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for use abroad and advises couples with recognition concerns to contact their home-country embassy. The receiving country may have further registration, translation or legalisation rules.

Plan the celebration separately

The court ceremony and wedding celebration can happen on different days. Once the legal appointment is confirmed, compare Abu Dhabi wedding venues by guest count, travel, privacy, catering and total written cost. Ask the venue how court-day photography, transfers and a later reception fit the schedule.

Start with the wider UAE marriage registration route guide if you are unsure whether Abu Dhabi civil marriage is the right path.