Abu Dhabi: A Civil Marriage Haven

Abu Dhabi: A New Civil Marriage Hub for Foreign Couples

In recent years, Abu Dhabi has increasingly become a prime destination for non-Muslim and foreign couples who seek a fast, simple, and legally recognized civil marriage. Since the enforcement of the civil marriage law in 2021 and the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, the number of marriages has sharply increased. In 2025, the system recorded 70 marriages per day, with 13 per hour—an impressive result that clearly indicates the city's growing popularity in this domain.

Civil Marriage for Foreigners: Simple, Fast, and Online

The civil marriage process in Abu Dhabi is fully digitized. Couples can submit their applications online via the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) system. The service is available to all foreign residents or visitors, with options such as express procedures that can even ensure marriage on the same day. During the application process, there is also an option to attach a marriage contract to settle property issues in advance, which is particularly important for international couples.

The entire process can be conducted via video call, with no need for a lawyer or personal appearance. The forms are available in English and Arabic, and fees can be paid in interest-free installments, making the system adaptable to the needs of the expatriate community in every way.

Numbers Speak for Themselves

Statistics paint an impressive picture. While 5,400 marriages were registered in Abu Dhabi in 2022, this number rose to 12,000 in 2023, then to 16,200 in 2024. By 2025, it reached 19,000, representing a 17% annual growth. Overall, nearly 53,000 civil marriages have taken place in the city since 2021. Interest continues to grow, thanks to the fast, transparent, and modern system.

New Types of Legal Services: Wills and Divorces

In addition to marriage, the Civil Family Court handles other types of cases, including the submission of civil wills. In 2025, more than 11,000 such documents were registered, more than double the previous year's number. A total of 21,000 wills have been entered into the system over four years, indicating that foreigners are increasingly managing their legal and inheritance affairs consciously.

Significant changes have also been implemented in the area of divorces. Under the no-fault divorce system, parties can receive the divorce decree at the first hearing, within 30 days. The court automatically grants joint custody, ensuring that children's interests prevail, and both parents participate equally in their upbringing.

Modern Legal Environment and Digital Advantages

The court aims not only to provide fast and convenient services but also to offer a modern legal framework for the global community. With digital solutions, lengthy personal administrations, paper-based documents have been eliminated, and bureaucracy minimized.

This system offers an attractive alternative for foreigners who face complicated or costly legal procedures in their home countries, or for those who wish to settle their personal affairs quickly and discreetly.

Abu Dhabi: The New International Center for Civil Marriage

While in many countries long waiting times, mandatory notary attendance, or even months of preparation are needed for marriage, Abu Dhabi offers a trilogy of digital administration, legal certainty, and flexibility. Options like same-day marriage or interest-free payment have made the emirate particularly popular among foreign couples wishing to marry.

Challenges and Opportunities of the Future

Based on current figures, it is clear that Abu Dhabi has succeeded with its new model. However, maintaining continuous growth requires further development of the system and fine-tuning of the customer experience. Important questions include how authorities will manage larger traffic or what languages the system will be available in the future.

There is also the question of whether other emirates, such as Dubai, will follow Abu Dhabi's example and establish similar fully digital civil family law systems, providing simple and transparent options for even more expats.

Conclusion

Over the past four years, Abu Dhabi has introduced a rapidly developing, progressive, and customer-centered approach to civil marriages. The fully digital system designed for non-Muslim foreigners has made life easier for tens of thousands of people and introduced a new legal and social model in the region. The emirate is now renowned not only because of oil or tourism but also for its legal reforms, gaining international attention. With this, Abu Dhabi has taken another step towards defining itself as an open, modern, and global city in the 21st century.

(The source of this article is based on a statement from Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD).)