Process
How long does the ADJD civil marriage take?
We break down portal submission, judge review, ceremony, and attestation so you can book flights with confidence.
Read the noteHow does a couple turn a morning at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court into a signed certificate without panic? The team converts Law No. 14 of 2021 into calm checkpoints with room for real life.
The team uses the same simple framework every time, so each couple sees the law, the paperwork, and the ceremony through a calm lens.
The team breaks Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 into short sentences that explain what the Civil Family Court is checking at every stage.
The team maps every certificate, translation, and attestation so nothing is missing when the ADJD portal prompts for uploads or when MoFA stamps the file.
Case files document true timelines from mixed-nationality couples so every reader sees how flights, express services, and ceremony guests fit together.
The Civil Family Court in Abu Dhabi welcomes non-Muslim couples from the UAE and abroad, provided the legal criteria below are satisfied. These checkpoints are verified directly with ADJD before every application.
Eligibility data is sourced from Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021, ADJD Civil Family Court service manuals, and the UAE Government portal. Couples should verify changes directly with ADJD before booking travel.
ADJD requests clear scans, certified translations, and consistent naming conventions. The team maintains bilingual templates for residents, tourists, divorced applicants, and widowed applicants.
Document requirements differ for tourists, residents, divorced parties, and widowed parties; updated instructions are published by ADJD and ADJD Smart Services.
These snapshots show how the team guides couples through portal prep, cross border travel, and the Civil Family Court hall without guesswork.
Civil Family Court, Al Bateen
Couples abroad preparing documents
Private hall briefings
The team guides every couple through the same calm five-part path so nobody guesses about portal prompts, court etiquette, or attestation errands.
Every conversation begins with a simple question: does this couple satisfy the non-Muslim, age, and relationship rules laid out by Law No. 14 of 2021? The team confirms that before touching the portal.
The team reviews passports, residence status, previous marriages, and family links so the Civil Family Court’s non-Muslim and non-related rules are respected before the application is lodged.
The team walks through UAE PASS creation, ADJD service selection, and the service list so each field is filled exactly as the system expects.
The team builds a checklist covering passports, divorce decrees, death certificates, and optional prenup contracts, then schedules sworn translators and notaries so nothing stalls at attestation.
The team secures the express or standard slot, uploads fee receipts, and prepares contingency plans in case the Civil Family Court reschedules.
The team briefs guests, double-checks IDs, and remains available until the marriage certificate is issued, MoFA attestation is scheduled, and any embassy follow-up is mapped out.
This guide is not a definitive legal source. ADJD, UAE PASS, and MoFA update fees and forms often, so the team encourages every couple to verify details on the official portals and reach out the moment something changes.
Figures are based on ADJD Civil Family Court schedules and are reviewed weekly. Express appointments remain limited and can sell out within hours.
All fees are indicative and sourced from ADJD, MoFAIC, and embassy schedules as of 2025. Couples should confirm amounts on the official portals before submitting payments.
Certificates issued by ADJD are valid across the UAE; international acceptance usually requires MoFA attestation plus embassy legalisation.
Attestation processes evolve frequently; always cross-check with MoFAIC and respective consulates before submitting documents.
The team shapes flexible service paths so couples can tap into only the support they need, from portal coaching to day-of hosting and even travel blocks.
The team manages eligibility checks, portal submissions, ceremony bookings, and post-wedding attestations so each couple moves through Abu Dhabi without guesswork.
Learn MoreThe team prepares document checklists, coaches sworn translators, and organizes notarised prenup attachments so the ADJD upload tray is spotless.
Learn MoreThe team briefs witnesses, prepares vow scripts that match the court format, and stays onsite until the certificate is printed and translated.
Learn MoreThe team arranges Civil Family Court logistics, private lounges, hotel blocks, and gentle add-ons like dinner cruises or desert photos so the legal trip feels celebratory.
Learn MoreThe team coordinates translators, legal consultants, celebrants, caterers, and transport partners so every support vendor follows the same simple schedule.
Learn MoreThe team keeps a running log of the questions couples ask most often and answers them with plain examples from actual Abu Dhabi cases.
We break down portal submission, judge review, ceremony, and attestation so you can book flights with confidence.
Read the note
Identity proofs, single-status affidavits, translations, and file formatting—everything tourists need for a clean approval.
Read the note
Follow the step-by-step plan from certificate pick-up to MoFAIC stamping and embassy legalisation.
Read the note
Age, consent, kinship, and nationality rules distilled from Law No. 14/2021 so you know you’re eligible before applying.
Read the note
Learn how files move from registrars to the authentication judge, and what to expect in bilingual hearings.
Read the note
A guide for tourists and residents of other emirates covering jurisdiction, proof of stay, and remote coaching cases.
Read the noteThese are real notes from couples the team guided through eligibility checks, portal calls, and long embassy days.
"Express slots felt stressful for a couple flying in on a Thursday, so the team uploaded every translation, prepaid the fees, and kept MoFA staff on standby; the certificate was printed by Saturday noon."
Non-resident passports, ceremony in 48 hours
"Two residents living in Doha could not shuttle back and forth, so the team screen-shared every ADJD page, translated the legal text, and secured remote verification before they boarded a single flight."
Portal + UAE PASS support
"A blended family needed space for elders, so the team built a ceremony and dinner plan that included wheelchair access at the Civil Family Court and a quiet hotel suite for post-signing celebrations."
Inclusive ceremony hosting
Answers reference ADJD, UAE PASS, MoFAIC, and embassy guidance as of 2025. Couples in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or visiting from abroad can rely on these checkpoints to plan confidently.
Yes. The ADJD Civil Family Court accepts tourists and non-residents as long as they satisfy Law No. 14 of 2021, present passport/entry stamp copies, and attend the ceremony in person. The team coordinates UAE PASS access, hotel bookings, and 72-hour express timelines for visitors arriving from Dubai or abroad.
ADJD requires the full divorce decree or death certificate from the previous spouse, legalised up to the UAE (apostille, embassy, or MoFA chain) plus Arabic translation. The team pre-schedules sworn translators and notaries so these documents upload smoothly.
Standard services release certificates the same day or within two working days, while express slots often issue them within hours. Couples receive digital versions, paper originals, and MoFA-ready scans before leaving the court.
After MoFAIC attestation, most countries request embassy legalisation and a domestic registration. The team prepares embassy appointment packs, courier envelopes, and translation addenda so the certificate remains valid for visas, name change, and immigration benefits.
Information is reviewed weekly against ADJD service updates and MoFAIC advisories; always verify before submission.
These scenes show the practical touches the team adds so paperwork, travel, and celebration blend together.
The team stages laptops, scanners, and printed checklists so the UAE PASS login, civil marriage service, and payment confirmations happen in a single sitting.
Sworn translators mark every passport, divorce decree, and affidavit with the right stamps before ADJD ever reads them.
The team rehearses statements, reviews the judge’s script, and explains when witnesses will speak so the ceremony feels calm and predictable.
Marriage certificates, Arabic translations, and courier forms wait here before heading to MoFA counters and foreign embassies.
Airport pickups, hotel check-ins, and city permits are arranged so couples land, rest, and head straight to the Civil Family Court.
Small dinners keep the civil ceremony intimate, whether that means Emirati seafood or a vegan mezze spread.
The team sets aside calm rooms, hydration carts, and translator cards so families can rest between the court appointment and the celebration dinner.
Attire steaming, ring shots, and permission forms are organized so photographers capture the civil ceremony with ease.
The team tries to stay updated with recent news/updates from both authorities and service teams, so every checklist stays current.
The team logs every verification so couples know which facts came from ADJD, MoFA, or other official channels.
Confirmed eligibility wording and AED 300 express surcharge with court staff.
Tested the digital submission desk to speed post-marriage legalization.
Logged every step for tourist couples, including translator bookings and hotel desk coordination.
Contributed plain-language notes to u.ae’s civil marriage explainer.
Invited to brief translators on common applicant mistakes.
Hosted with local legal forums to explain post-marriage paperwork.
A calm three-part rhythm keeps paperwork, ceremony, and celebration aligned.
The team mixes official updates with lived experience so each couple gets clear instructions, calm timing, and honest expectations.
The team reviews eligibility, timelines, and family needs so the plan respects Abu Dhabi’s civil law and personal priorities.
The team builds the document checklist, translation plan, and ceremony styling so nothing is missing at upload time.
The team attends the ceremony, collects certificates, and coordinates MoFA plus embassy steps until every paper is stamped.
"Every note inside this guide is double-checked against ADJD releases and MoFA channels, and every example comes from real couples the team escorted through the Civil Family Court."— Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Guide
Send the form or use the contact details below; the team replies within one business day and shares the latest ADJD or MoFA notes relevant to each case.
Most consults run online. The team confirms every fact with ADJD or MoFA and shares updates the moment something shifts.
This resource is based on practical experience with Abu Dhabi civil-marriage procedures and does not replace official ADJD or MoFA guidance.
Regulations change frequently. Always cross-check details with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, UAE PASS, MoFAIC, or your embassy before relying on any instructions published here.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you understand this material is informational and not a government-approved legal guide.