It used to be the biggest headache in the wedding industry.
You want the glamorous Dubai wedding with the Burj Khalifa backdrop. But then you Google "legal marriage requirements UAE" and get hit with a wall of confusing text about blood tests, Sharia law, and embassy stamps.
For years, couples had to fly to Seychelles or Georgia just to get the paper, then fly back to Dubai for the party.
The good news? That has changed.
Yes, tourists can now get legally married in the UAE. But—and this is a big "but"—it depends on how and where you do it.
At Sona Vista Events, we handle the "pretty stuff" (the flowers, the dinner, the dancing), but we also guide our couples through the paperwork maze. Here is the simple, human-language guide to getting legally hitched in the UAE in 2026.
1. The Game Changer: Civil Marriage
In the past, marriage laws were strictly based on religion. Now, the UAE offers Civil Marriage (non-religious marriage). This is designed specifically for tourists and non-Muslim expats.
Who is it for? Non-Muslim couples (tourists or residents).
Do you need to be a resident? No. Tourists are welcome.
Do you need a "guardian" (Wali)? No.
Do you need a medical test? For Civil Marriage in Abu Dhabi? No.
2. Dubai vs. Abu Dhabi (The Big Difference)
This is where most people get confused.
Abu Dhabi (The Easy Route):
Abu Dhabi (a 1-hour drive from Dubai) has a specific "Civil Family Court" that is incredibly fast and tourist-friendly.
The Process: You apply online, upload your passports, pay a fee (approx. AED 300 - AED 2,500 depending on the speed), and get an appointment.
The Ceremony: You walk into the court, say "I do" in front of a judge, sign the paper, and you are married. It takes 15 minutes.
The Advice: Most of our couples drive to Abu Dhabi in the morning to get the legal paper, then drive back to Dubai for their big wedding dinner.
Dubai (The New Route):
Dubai now offers Civil Marriage too (at the Dubai Courts), but the appointments can sometimes be harder to get than in Abu Dhabi's express system.
The Medical Test: Dubai sometimes requires a pre-marital medical screening (checking for genetics/diseases) which can take time.
The Advice: If you are in a rush or just visiting, the Abu Dhabi Express Court is usually the smoother option.
3. What About Religious Marriages?
Church Weddings: If you are Christian, you can get married in a church in Dubai. However, the church certificate still needs to be registered with the government to be legal.
Muslim Weddings (Nikah): This follows Sharia law. The groom usually needs to be Muslim, and the bride needs her father/guardian present. This is a different process than the Civil one.
4. The "Paper vs. Party" Strategy
Here is how 90% of our destination couples do it:
Step 1 (The Legal Bit): Do the quick Civil Ceremony (either back home before you travel, or a quick morning trip to the UAE court). Get the paper signed.
Step 2 (The Real Wedding): This is where we come in.
You host a "Symbolic Ceremony" on a beach in Dubai.
You have a friend or a celebrant "officiate."
You exchange rings and read vows in front of your 100 guests.
Why? Because a court room is boring. A sunset beach at the Ritz Carlton is magic. To your guests, this is the real wedding. The legal paper is just admin.
5. Don't Forget the "Attestation"
Once you get that UAE marriage certificate, you aren't done.
The Rule: For your marriage to be recognized in your home country (UK, USA, India, etc.), you usually need to get the certificate "Attested" (stamped) by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then your own Embassy.
The Fix: There are typing centers that will do this running around for you for a fee. Pay them. It is not worth ruining your honeymoon standing in line at an embassy.
Stop Stressing, Start Planning
Getting married in Dubai is no longer a legal nightmare. It’s actually quite fast if you know which court to book.
At Sona Vista Events, we aren't lawyers, but we know the process. We can point you to the right government portal, help you book the transport to the court, and then ensure the champagne is chilled when you get back.
Ready to plan the fun part?
[Contact us today] and let’s start designing your dream Dubai wedding.
Share this post