ARTICLE
6 November 2013

Divorce, Nullity And Judicial Separation.

AM
Dr. Hassan Elhais

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Dr. Hassan Elhais, a long-standing member of the prestigious Amal Alrashedi Lawyers & Legal Consultants, is a renowned legal consultant in the UAE, specializing in family law, criminal law, civil law, company incorporation, construction law, banking law, inheritance law, and arbitration. Dr. Elhais has gained wide recognition in the country, winning numerous awards and accolades. He was declared the Legal Consultant of the Year in 2026 by Leaders in Law. He was also elected as the co-chair of the ‘Relocation of Children Committee’ of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers, widely regarded as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Dr. Hassan Elhais’s continued recognition in the 2025 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE from 2022-2025.
In order for a marriage contracted outside the UAE to be recognized, the marriage certificate should be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country in which the marriage took place, and then attested by the UAE embassy in that country.
United Arab Emirates Family and Matrimonial
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Recognition of Foreign Marriages/ Divorces

In order for a marriage contracted outside the UAE to be recognized, the marriage certificate should be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country in which the marriage took place, and then attested by the UAE embassy in that country. Further attestations should take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.

In certain circumstances even a validly attested marriage certificate would not be sufficient to allow a marriage to be recognized in the UAE. This is because in Islam, certain marriages are not capable of recognition. These are as follows:

  • A marriage between a Muslim man and a woman who is not Muslim, Christian or Jewish.
  • A marriage between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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