Tying the knot in the UAE is all in the details

Though it may seem difficult to believe, fuss and frills are entirely optional. Some couples prefer to avoid large and expensive ceremonies in favour of registering their marriage with the minimum legal requirements. There are two options for legal wedding ceremonies in the UAE; a Muslim marriage or a Christian marriage (check with your embassy if they offer civil weddings). For a Muslim wedding, the bride, groom, bride's father and two male witnesses present themselves to the Islamic Marriage Court.
Witnesses present passports stating they are UAE citizens or residents. Final authentication is required for non-UAE citizens by their embassy or consulate. Photocopies of all paperwork are required. Following the ceremony, a UAE marriage is issued for a Dh60 fee. For a Christian (non-Muslim) wedding, the legal process depends on nationality; your embassy will advise on the procedure. For example, UK citizens need to post a notice of their intention to marry at the embassy. This costs approximately Dh1,500 and takes around three weeks to be issued. You may also be required to sign a "no impediment" affidavit. It could be possible to get married at your embassy; otherwise you'll have to go to a church. The Jebel Ali Church, for example, costs Dh1,500 for UAE residents and Dh2,250 for non-residents, and it takes a few weeks for the legalities to be finalised.
Once that is complete, the Dubai Health Authority or the Health Authority Abu Dhabi will issue your Marriage Blood Test Certificates, which will cost Dh260. This is a separate blood test from when you obtained a residency visa, and you must have the certificate when presenting your marriage certificate for registration. This test is usually done about a week before the ceremony and the certificate will be issued in Arabic. This is then translated for Dh100 at the Notary Public Office.
It will be authenticated at the Ministry of Justice, and again at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before being resubmitted to your own embassy so the union can be validated in your home country. The whole process can cost upwards of Dh2,000, depending on the procedural costs of your country's embassy. And as always, it's best to plan ahead in case there are delays.
pf@thenational.ae

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