Documents • Checklist

What documents does ADJD check for tourists?

Tourists and non-residents make up a large share of ADJD’s caseload. The Civil Family Court verifies each file against Article 8 of Law No. 14/2021 and the bilingual regulations issued in Decision No. 8 of 2022. Here’s the full checklist we use when preparing short-stay couples.

Identity & Age

Passports valid for at least six months; attach every information page.
Entry stamp or eVisa showing lawful arrival into the UAE.
If the passport does not display date of birth clearly, add a national ID or birth certificate excerpt.

ADJD uses these documents to confirm both spouses are at least 18 years old, as mandated in Article 8(1).

Consent Declarations

Couples sign bilingual declarations confirming free and explicit consent, mental capacity, and the absence of impediments. The court keeps these forms on file; any discrepancies can pause the case.

Download the latest ADJD template so wording matches the regulation.
Upload notarised copies if signatures were taken outside the UAE.

Relationship & Status Proofs

Single status affidavit or sworn declaration from the home country.
Final divorce judgment or death certificate for any previous spouse (translated if needed).
Statement confirming no kinship in the first or second degree.

These documents satisfy Article 8(2–4) and help the authentication judge issue approvals quickly.

Translations & Formatting

ADJD operates bilingually. Documents written in other languages must be translated by a UAE Ministry of Justice–licensed translator or bear an apostille/legalisation that the court recognises.

Combine documents into PDFs under 10 MB, labelled with descriptive filenames.
Keep notarised originals ready for the ceremony; officers may request to view them.

Travel-Specific Tips

Upload flight confirmations—ADJD often favours express slots when travel plans are documented.
Schedule translator and notary appointments before arrival; weekend bottlenecks are common.
If you plan to legalise the certificate immediately, reserve MoFAIC and embassy appointments at the same time you submit the marriage application.