Eligibility • Law 14/2021
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department designed its Civil Family Court for non-Muslim couples who need a neutral, secular marriage contract. Below is the checklist we use to confirm eligibility before any portal submission.
Article 8(1) of Law 14/2021 requires both spouses to be at least 18 years old, proven with official documents. The judge also confirms each person has the “necessary mental capacity” to sign a contract. If a passport doesn’t display the date of birth clearly, attach a national ID or certified extract.
ADJD insists on explicit consent from both parties. Couples sign bilingual declarations stating there is no coercion, no legal impediment, and no active marriage elsewhere. The authentication judge may halt the process if anything suggests a lack of free will.
Civil marriages are prohibited between first- or second-degree relatives—siblings, parents, children, grandparents, uncles, or aunts. Applicants sign a statement confirming no such relationship exists, aligning with Article 8(4).
Polygamy is not recognised in this secular system. If either spouse was married before, include the divorce decree or death certificate. ADJD verifies these attachments before forwarding the case to the judge.
The law covers non-Muslim UAE citizens, expatriates whose home countries do not apply Islamic law in family matters, and other cases approved by ADJD’s Chairman. Most Muslim UAE nationals follow separate statutes, but non-UAE Muslims may qualify depending on their country’s legal framework.
Residency in Abu Dhabi helps but is not mandatory; many tourists marry under this law as long as they enter the country legally.
Proofs and affidavits ADJD reviews alongside your eligibility statements.
How tourists, remote couples, and residents of other emirates are treated.
What the judge and clerks double-check once your eligibility is confirmed.
