Non-Muslim expats can usually divorce in the UAE without proving that either spouse was at fault. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court applies Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021; across the UAE, Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status applies to non-Muslims unless a spouse holds to the law of their home country; in Dubai, family cases go to the Dubai Courts Personal Status Court, not the DIFC Courts.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for non-Muslim residents of Abu Dhabi or Dubai who are thinking about divorce, or who have received divorce papers. It is an overview only. It does not cover Muslim families, whose cases follow Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Personal Status Law, and it does not tell you which option is best for you. Children are covered in Child custody for expats in the UAE: key concepts.
The main routes at a glance
| Where | Main law | Court | Points to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 on Civil Marriage and its Effects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with Resolution No. 8 of 2022 | Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department) | Forms are in Arabic and English. The court can run the case in English. |
| Dubai | Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status | Dubai Courts Personal Status Court | One party must be a citizen or resident of Dubai. Non-Arabic documents need legal translation. |
| Other emirates | Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status | The competent court in that emirate | Confirm the filing channel with the court first. |
No-fault divorce. Under Article 7 of the federal law, it is enough for one spouse to say they want to end the marriage. They do not need to give reasons, prove harm or blame the other spouse. Article 6 of the Abu Dhabi law says the same. The court grants the divorce after the other spouse is formally notified.
No family guidance step. Article 3 of the federal law sends divorce cases under that law directly to court, not to family guidance committees. The Abu Dhabi law (Article 15) and Resolution No. 8 of 2022 (Article 39) do the same for civil divorce cases in Abu Dhabi.
Home-country law. Article 1 of the federal law applies it to non-Muslim foreigners living in the UAE unless one of them holds to their home-country law for marriage, divorce, inheritance, wills and parentage. Spouses may also agree to apply another family law in force in the UAE. Take advice before asking the court to apply home-country law.
Money after divorce. Under Article 9 of the federal law, a divorced wife can ask the court for alimony after the judgment. The judge weighs factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's finances and any harm caused. The law lists factors, not fixed amounts.
DIFC Courts. The DIFC Courts say they have jurisdiction over civil and commercial matters only. Divorce is not one of their services. Their family-related role is the wills and probate registry for non-Muslims, explained in Registering a will in the UAE.
Step by step
- Confirm your status. Note each spouse's religion, nationality, emirate of residence and where you married.
- Choose the court. Check whether you qualify for the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, Dubai Courts or another emirate's court.
- Decide which law you are asking for. The federal civil law is the default; discuss any home-country law request with a lawyer first.
- Gather documents. Collect the marriage certificate, IDs, children's birth certificates and any agreements.
- Check translation rules. Dubai Courts asks for legal Arabic translation certified by the Ministry of Justice; Abu Dhabi has its own rules.
- Try to agree the practical issues. The Abu Dhabi court publishes a post-divorce settlement agreement form.
- File through the official channel. The Abu Dhabi court says no-fault divorce applications are submitted at Abu Dhabi typing centres.
- Watch for notices and attend. Read every SMS and email from the court and attend each session.
- Deal with follow-on claims. After the judgment, file any financial or custody applications on the correct form.
What happens at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court
The Abu Dhabi law covers non-Muslims, whether foreigners or UAE citizens (Article 1, as amended in 2021). Resolution No. 8 of 2022 (Article 5) lists alternative cases, such as non-Muslim citizens, nationals of a country that does not mainly apply Islamic law in family matters, couples who married in such a country, and couples with a civil marriage. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's divorce page lists Abu Dhabi residents and people who married at the Civil Family Court, and adds that the parties must be from a country not governed by Sharia law. The two official texts are worded differently, so confirm with the court that you are eligible before you file. Citizens of Arab League countries may be asked for an official document proving their religion.
Once the application is approved, the court notifies the other spouse by SMS. Both parties, or their legal representatives, must attend a case management session before the case goes to the judge. As of September 2026, per the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, the court aims to finalise a no-fault divorce within one month of registration. That is a target, not a guarantee. Joint custody applies automatically unless a parent waives it or the court orders otherwise.
What happens at Dubai Courts
The Dubai Courts Personal Status Court handles personal and financial matters of both Muslims and non-Muslims, including divorce, alimony and custody. It also certifies civil marriage contracts for non-Muslims and issues divorce certificates.
Cases are registered through the Dubai Courts "Personal Status Claims and Articles" service, online or at government service centres. As of September 2026, per Dubai Courts, the personal status fee is AED 100 per application, with a total not exceeding AED 2,000. That page also lists a Family Guidance referral decision among the documents for personal status claims. Because the federal civil law excludes its divorce cases from family guidance, confirm with Dubai Courts what your file needs.
Documents checklist
- Marriage certificate (the Abu Dhabi court asks for a copy in English and Arabic)
- Passports and Emirates IDs of both spouses
- Proof of residence in the emirate where you file
- Children's birth certificates and passports, if any
- Any prenuptial, marriage or settlement agreement
- Proof of religion, if the court asks for it
- Legal translations and attestations for foreign or non-Arabic documents, as required
- A short, dated chronology of the marriage and separation
Use the evidence checklist builder to sort these into a clear index.
Common mistakes
- Going to the DIFC Courts for a divorce. They deal with civil and commercial matters and their wills registry, not divorce.
- Filing in the wrong emirate. Dubai Courts requires one party to be a citizen or resident of Dubai.
- Assuming home-country law is automatically better. It can change how divorce, money and inheritance are handled.
- Thinking no-fault means no money questions. Alimony and other claims can follow the judgment.
- Missing court messages. Keep your phone number and email up to date.
- Travelling with children during a dispute without consent. Read the custody guide first.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Speak to a licensed family lawyer before you file if there are children, property in more than one country, a business, or a question about home-country law. Advice is also sensible if you have been served with papers and a hearing is close. Check that the lawyer is licensed for the court involved; our guide on preparing for your first meeting with a UAE lawyer explains how.
If you want, CaseDaleel can introduce you to an independent licensed professional. This only happens if you choose it. You can start with a free case check to organise your facts first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to prove that my spouse did something wrong?
No. Under the federal civil law and the Abu Dhabi law, one spouse's wish to end the marriage is enough, without reasons or blame.
Can we ask for the law of our home country to apply?
The federal civil law applies to non-Muslim foreigners unless one of them holds to their home-country law, so this is possible; take advice before asking for it.
Can the DIFC Courts grant a divorce?
The DIFC Courts describe their jurisdiction as civil and commercial matters, and divorce is not among their services; Dubai divorces go to Dubai Courts.
Do we have to attend family guidance first?
Divorce cases under the federal civil law and the Abu Dhabi civil law go directly to court; confirm the current filing requirements with Dubai Courts for your file.
How long does a divorce take in Abu Dhabi?
As of September 2026, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department says it aims to finalise no-fault divorces within one month of registration, but this is a target only.
Do I need to speak Arabic?
The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court uses Arabic and English forms and can run cases in English, while Dubai Courts requires legal Arabic translations of non-Arabic documents.
Official sources
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status
- Dubai Courts — Personal Status Court
- Dubai Courts — Personal Status Claims and Articles service
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 and Resolution No. 8 of 2022 (PDF)
- Abu Dhabi Government — Official Gazette No. 12 of 2021, Law No. 15 of 2021 amending Law No. 14 of 2021 (Arabic)
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.