Single Status Certificate for Marriage in the UAE
The Short Answer
To marry in the UAE, each foreign party usually has to prove they are free to marry — with a single status certificate, certificate of no impediment or affidavit of marital status, plus a final divorce decree or a death certificate if previously married. A certificate issued abroad must be legalised in the issuing country, attested by the UAE embassy there and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; one issued by your embassy in the UAE is usually attested by MOFA in the UAE.
Translation depends on where you marry. Onshore courts and Sharia marriage officiants work in Arabic, so English and other foreign-language documents need certified Arabic translation. The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, which handles civil marriage for non-Muslims under Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021, works in Arabic and English, and expatriates there are exempt from translating English documents into Arabic — but documents in a third language still need translating.
Where the Certificate Comes From
From your embassy or consulate in the UAE
Many embassies issue a certificate of no impediment or accept a sworn statement of marital status from their nationals. Being issued in the UAE, it is then attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From your home country
Some countries issue a civil-register extract or single status certificate at home. That document must be legalised by the issuing country's foreign ministry, attested by the UAE embassy in that country and then by MOFA in the UAE.
If you were married before
A final divorce decree (not just a filing or an interim order) or the former spouse's death certificate, with the same legalisation chain, and a translation if it is not in an accepted language.
Ask your embassy what it issues and how long it takes; some issue the same day, others need home-country records first. Our marriage certificate attestation guide covers the chain for documents issued abroad.
Which Court or Officiant, and Which Language
| Where you marry | Who it applies to | Translation of English documents |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court (ADJD) | Non-Muslims, under Abu Dhabi Law 14/2021; application through TAMM with UAE PASS | Expats exempt from translating English into Arabic; third languages translated |
| Civil marriage in other emirates | Non-Muslims, under Federal Decree-Law 41/2022 on civil personal status | Arabic translation usually required — confirm with the court |
| Sharia court or authorised marriage officiant | Marriages where the husband is Muslim | Certified Arabic translation required |
| Your embassy or a church, then registration | Depends on your nationality and religion | Depends on where the marriage is registered |
Requirements change and differ between courts. Before you book a date, confirm the current document list with the court — for Abu Dhabi, civilfamilycourt@adjd.gov.ae — or with a UAE lawyer.
Common Reasons a File Is Sent Back
- Name mismatch. The name on the certificate must match the passport exactly. A missing middle name or a different spelling is a frequent problem; see name spelling mismatches.
- Incomplete chain. A home-country certificate without the UAE embassy stamp, or a document never attested by MOFA.
- Old certificate. Many courts and embassies expect a recent certificate. There is no single published period, so ask before you apply.
- Non-final divorce. An interim or non-final divorce order does not prove you are free to marry.
- Uncertified translation. A translation made by a friend or an unlicensed provider, rather than a certified legal translation.
After the Wedding
Once married, the UAE marriage certificate itself may need translating and attesting — for a spouse's residence visa, for registration in your home country or for changing names. See marriage certificate translation for a family visa.
Is a certificate of no impediment the same as a single status certificate?
They serve the same purpose — proving you are free to marry — but the name and form depend on the issuing country. Some embassies issue a certificate; others take a sworn statement.
Do I need to translate my English single status certificate?
For the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, expatriates are exempt from translating English documents into Arabic. For onshore courts and Sharia marriages, a certified Arabic translation is required.
Can my embassy's certificate be used without MOFA attestation?
Usually not. A certificate issued by a foreign embassy in the UAE is normally attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs before UAE authorities accept it.
I was divorced abroad. What do I need?
The final divorce decree, legalised in the country that issued it, attested by the UAE embassy there and by MOFA in the UAE, and translated into Arabic where the court requires it.
How quickly can SWLT translate the documents?
Arabic⇄English legal translation is AED 60 per 200-word page (excl. VAT), with same-day delivery available. We translate the single status certificate and any divorce decree together, with names matched to your passport.
How SWLT Helps
We translate single status certificates, no-impediment certificates, divorce decrees and death certificates into Arabic for UAE courts, matching every name to your passport. See also our divorce certificate attestation guide.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about the translation and document side of the matter. It is not legal or medical advice. Laws, procedures and fees change; confirm current requirements with the authority, court, hospital or embassy concerned, and take professional advice on your own case.
Prepare Your Marriage Documents
Send us your certificates and tell us which court you plan to marry in. Smart World Legal Translation – Sole Proprietorship L.L.C. (SWLT) is a UAE Ministry of Justice-licensed legal translation company in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, led by Dr. Hani Elimam. Our federal accreditation is accepted across the UAE, including by Dubai Courts, and we hold exclusive interpretation contracts with the UAE Federal Courts and the Federal Public Prosecution. Arabic⇄English legal translation is AED 60 per 200-word page (excl. VAT), with same-day delivery available. Send your documents on WhatsApp (+971 50 864 8439), email info@swlt.ae, or use our contact page.