Marriage in the United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, marriage is governed by a combination of Islamic principles, local traditions, and legal regulations.

[10][11] Since January 2025, genetic testing is compulsory for all Emirati couples planning to wed, as part of the premarital screening programme.

[14] In 2022, 1,500 guests, including high-ranking Emirati officials and foreign ambassadors from over 20 countries, attended the wedding of Rabbi Levi Duchman and Lea Hadad.

[17][18] Despite this, a 2015 report by the United Nations found that the percentage of girls under 18 being married was steadily increasing.

[19] Under the UAE's Personal Status Law, a woman can marry if she consents; if her guardian is deemed to unjustly oppose the union, the court may transfer guardianship.

[21] A study by the Khaleej Times found that 70% of people in polygamous unions in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah were not Emirati.

The study also found that an increasing number of women have become vocally opposed to the practice, believing it negatively affects stability in the family dynamic.

[27] The United Arab Emirates introduced a civil law in Abu Dhabi allowing for marriages, divorces, and obtaining joint child custody for non-Muslims in 2021,[28] and was extended to include the entire country in 2023.

[31] Within the first year of the law change, more than 5,000 marriages within a civil court were recorded,[32] 12% of couples being tourists.

In one instance, a secular Israeli couple registered marriage in the UAE civil court for this reason.

They are also required to sign a disclosure form and comply with any additional conditions specified in the implementing regulations of the decree.

[37][38] The UAE's Federal Penal Code allows for capital punishment as a legal penalty for homosexuality under Sharia law.