Getting married in Dubai can involve more paperwork than many UK couples expect. The exact documents depend on your nationality, religion, marital history, residency status and the type of ceremony being arranged.
Because requirements can vary between authorities, venues and personal circumstances, it is important to confirm the document list before starting the process.
Proof of identity
A valid passport is usually one of the first documents requested when arranging a marriage in Dubai.
In some cases, you may be asked to provide a certified copy of your passport rather than the original. A UK passport copy normally needs to be certified by a solicitor or Notary Public before it can be legalised for overseas use.
Check whether the receiving authority wants a solicitor-certified copy, notarised copy, translation or additional attestation.
Birth certificate
A UK birth certificate may be requested to confirm your full name, date of birth and parent details.
For overseas use, this should usually be an original certificate or an official certified copy issued by the correct UK registration authority. A simple photocopy or scan is unlikely to be accepted.
The certificate may need to be legalised and, depending on the authority, translated before submission.
Proof that you are free to marry
Dubai authorities may ask for evidence that you are legally free to marry.
For UK citizens, this may include a Certificate of No Impediment, statutory declaration, affidavit or other proof of marital status. The exact document depends on the authority handling the marriage.
These documents usually need to be signed or issued in the correct format before they can be legalised.
If you have been divorced
If you have been married before, you will normally need to show proof that the previous marriage legally ended.
This may be a Decree Absolute, Final Order or other divorce document. If you only have a photocopy or digital version, it may need solicitor or notary certification before legalisation.
The receiving authority may also request a translation.
If your previous spouse has died
If a previous marriage ended because your spouse passed away, a death certificate may be required.
For overseas use, this should usually be an original death certificate or an official certified copy issued by a recognised UK registration authority.
The document may need legalisation, translation and further attestation before it is accepted.
Legalisation and embassy attestation
For Dubai and wider UAE use, UK documents commonly need more than standard UK legalisation.
After the UK document has been prepared and legalised, it may also need UAE Embassy attestation in London before it can be used. Further local steps may also apply once the document reaches the UAE.
This is why it is important to confirm the full chain before submitting anything.
Translation requirements
Some documents may need to be translated into Arabic or another required language depending on the authority receiving them.
The translation requirements can vary, and the order matters. In some cases, documents must be legalised before translation. In others, the translation may need to be certified or attested separately.
Always check this before arranging translation.
Allow enough time
Marriage paperwork for Dubai can involve several stages: obtaining UK documents, arranging solicitor or notary certification, legalisation, embassy attestation and translation.
If any document is missing, expired or prepared in the wrong format, it may need to be redone.
Start early and confirm the exact requirements with the relevant authority before booking appointments or travel.
If you are getting married in Dubai, 12 Apostille can help review your UK documents, confirm the correct route and manage the legalisation and attestation process before submission.