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The UAE has simplified the process for recognizing marriage contracts – making it easier for non-Muslim expatriates to marry in court – as a new non-Muslim personal status law came into effect on February 1.
The law also covers other family matters such as divorce, inheritance and child custody.
However, in Abu Dhabi, a similar law has been in place since December 2021. It allows everyone – from Abu Dhabi residents and expats from other emirates to tourists from around the world – to get married in the UAE capital.
The civil marriage program in the UAE has proven successful,
More than 6,000 couples from 127 countries have tied the knot under the new civil marriage law, according to the Abu Dhabi Civil and Family Court. Most of them were Filipinos, with 2,300 couples; 830 Indian couples; then Americans, Russians, Lebanese, Nigerians and Europeans.
Among those married in Abu Dhabi were Ugandan couple Immaculate Twebaze, 32, and Gilbert Atamba, 35, who remained in the emirate.
They tied the knot on September 17 at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court. Truly, we had extraordinary and beautiful moments that never fade from our minds,” Twebaze told the Khaleej Times on Thursday.
“The hospitality from the front gate, the happiness, the smiles of all the court staff, makes you feel like marriage is a blessing from God and is the right path.”
New Zealand national Sarmila and British expatriate Julian also easily registered their union in a civil ceremony in Abu Dhabi last Valentine’s Day.
The Dubai couple, who met through a dating service recommended by friends, said they decided to say “I do” on February 14, their most romantic day. In fact, it was the court that suggested their wedding be held on Valentine’s Day.
With more than 6,000 civil marriages concluded in a year, Emirati legal expert Hesham Elrafei has proven that secular law can meet the needs of the Arab world. Couples from different faiths and nationalities are now flying to Abu Dhabi to obtain civil marriage certificates, he said.
He noted that for expatriates, family law is of paramount importance. “It’s one of the drivers of the economy because a country can’t attract the best talent if it doesn’t offer a progressive and liberal way of life, and that’s where family law comes into play,” he said.
“With the new law now extending to the UAE, not just Abu Dhabi, we expect Dubai and RAK, in particular, will be added to the list of wedding tourism destinations,” the legal expert added, adding that this healthy competition will make The country benefits and the entire region.
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