Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court Sees Sharp Rise in Foreigner Services

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has reported a sharp increase in activity at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, with a new statistical report highlighting record demand for its services.

Since the enforcement of Civil Marriage Law No. 14 of 2021, the court has registered nearly 53,000 civil marriage contracts for foreigners and more than 21,000 civil wills.

The figures underline the success of the region’s first specialised court for foreigners’ personal status, which operates under a modern judicial model supported by flexible, fully digital procedures designed for the international community.

In 2025 alone, the court registered 19,000 civil marriages, representing a 17 per cent increase over the previous year. Registrations have risen steadily from 5,400 contracts in 2022 to 12,000 in 2023 and 16,200 in 2024, bringing the cumulative total close to 53,000.

On average, the court now processes around 1,600 marriage registrations per month, or about 70 contracts per day -- equivalent to 13 civil marriages every hour.

The service is open to all foreign residents and visitors and can be accessed through the ADJD website. Applicants can opt for an “Express Service” allowing same-day marriage registration, along with integrated options for documenting prenuptial agreements.

The court also recorded a major rise in civil wills, registering 11,000 wills in 2025—an increase of more than 100 per cent compared to 2024. This brings the total number of registered wills to 21,000 within four years of the court’s establishment, reflecting growing awareness of the importance of estate planning.

An integrated digital system enables the entire registration process to be completed remotely via video conferencing. The system provides approved legal forms in both Arabic and English, allows applicants to proceed without mandatory legal representation, and offers interest-free fee installments.

In the area of civil divorce, the court handled 640 cases in 2025. Under the no-fault divorce framework for foreigners, judgments can be issued at the first hearing, typically within 30 days of filing.

The system also safeguards financial rights through the appointment of accounting experts to assess each spouse’s financial position, while automatic joint-custody rulings are issued to prioritise the best interests of children and ensure the continued involvement of both parents.

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