Non-Muslims can register a will in the UAE through the DIFC Courts Wills Service, through the civil wills register of the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, or by having a will attested by the Dubai Courts notary public. Without a registered will, Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status sets default shares for non-Muslim estates in the UAE, which may not match what you want.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for expats who own assets in the UAE, such as property, bank accounts or company shares, or who have young children living here. It compares the main official routes. It does not tell you which route is right for you or cover estate planning abroad. If you are Muslim, check each route's eligibility carefully.
The three routes compared
| Route | Who can use it | How the will is signed | Registration fee (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIFC Courts Wills Service | Non-Muslims who have never been Muslim, aged 18 or over, with assets in the UAE and/or minor children living with them in the UAE. UAE residence is not required. | Electronic signature at an appointment, online by video or in person, with two witnesses | Full Will: AED 10,000 single or AED 15,000 for mirror wills, per the DIFC Courts Schedule of Fees. Other will types cost less. |
| Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court (civil wills) | Anyone who is not a UAE citizen, regardless of religion, per the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department | Online application on the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department website, then a video-call appointment to notarise the will | AED 950 regular or AED 2,500 special, per the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department |
| Dubai Courts notary public | Non-Muslim testators aged 21 or over who own what they are leaving | Online with a valid Emirates ID, or in person before the notary if you hold a passport only | AED 2,000 to ratify a non-Muslim will, per Dubai Courts |
Fees change. Check the official fee page again on the day you book.
How the DIFC Courts Wills Service works
The DIFC Courts Wills Service is a joint initiative of the Government of Dubai and the DIFC Courts, with its authority confirmed by Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017. Registered wills are held by the DIFC Courts Wills Registry, and the DIFC Courts handle probate for those wills.
Will types. The service offers a Full Will, a Guardianship Will, a Property Will (up to five UAE properties), a Business Owners Will (up to five UAE shareholdings), a Financial Assets Will (up to ten UAE accounts) and a Digital Assets Will. Property, Business Owners and Financial Assets wills use an online template.
Guardianship. A Full Will or Guardianship Will can appoint interim and permanent guardians for minor children. The DIFC Courts say these provisions apply to children living in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah at the time of probate.
Witnesses. You need two witnesses aged 18 or over with valid photo ID. They must not be beneficiaries or guardians under the will, or their spouses. Your executor or a registered Wills Draftsman can be a witness if eligible.
Drafting. You may draft your own will under the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry Rules, use a template, or hire a lawyer. The Wills Service only accepts wills from lawyers on its register of Wills Draftsmen, and it does not give legal advice.
Changes of circumstance. Under the Rules, a later marriage revokes a DIFC Courts will unless the will clearly provides for that marriage. A later divorce cancels gifts to the former spouse, not the whole will. As of September 2026, per the DIFC Courts, modifying a will costs AED 550 per will.
How the Abu Dhabi civil wills route works
Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 lets people covered by the law leave all their UAE assets by will to anyone they choose (Article 11). For a civil will to be legally valid, it must be registered with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's Civil Wills section. You apply on the department's website, pay the fee and then book a video-call appointment to notarise the will.
The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court publishes a standard will template in English and Arabic, which you may use or have a lawyer adapt. It also publishes a will revocation form and an inheritance application form. Procedural questions can go to the Civil Wills team at wills.non-muslim@adjd.gov.ae.
If there is no registered will
Under Article 11 of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, if there is no will, half of the estate goes to the surviving spouse and half is shared equally among the children, with no difference between sons and daughters. If there are no children, the parents inherit, and siblings may share where a parent has died. Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 sets out a similar order.
The same article lets a foreigner's heirs ask for the law that would apply under the Civil Code instead, unless a registered will says otherwise. This is one reason a registered will gives more certainty.
Step by step
- List your UAE assets and dependants. Include property, accounts, shares, vehicles, digital assets and minor children.
- Choose a route. Consider where your assets and children are, your religion, and whether you need guardianship provisions.
- Choose the will type. A Full Will covers all assets, while template wills only cover the assets listed.
- Decide your people. Pick executors, beneficiaries, substitute beneficiaries and, if needed, guardians.
- Draft or instruct. Use the official template, draft to the published rules, or instruct a lawyer (for DIFC, a registered Wills Draftsman).
- Arrange witnesses. For DIFC, line up two eligible witnesses and collect their ID copies.
- Submit, pay and book. Upload documents, pay the fee and book the appointment through the official portal.
- Keep records and review. Save the registered copy and review it after marriage, divorce, a new child or a major asset change.
Documents checklist
- Your valid passport and Emirates ID (if you have one)
- Passport or Emirates ID copies of your two witnesses (DIFC)
- Title deeds or Oqood certificates for a DIFC Property Will
- Share certificates for a DIFC Business Owners Will
- Signed Guardianship Statements from appointed guardians (DIFC, where guardians are named)
- Names and contact details of executors, beneficiaries and guardians
- A list of assets and account details
- Legal Arabic translation of non-Arabic documents, for the Dubai Courts notary route
Use the evidence checklist builder to keep your asset list and documents in one place.
Common mistakes
- Relying on a will made abroad. The DIFC Courts say a will drafted under another system will usually need redrafting to meet their Rules.
- Choosing an ineligible witness. Beneficiaries, guardians and their spouses cannot witness a DIFC Courts will.
- Forgetting to update after marriage. Under the DIFC Rules, a later marriage revokes the will unless the will provides for it.
- Buying a new asset under a template will. Template wills only cover the assets listed, so a new asset needs a new will.
- Assuming guardianship clauses cover every emirate. The DIFC Courts say they apply to children living in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Consider licensed advice if you own assets in several countries, own a business, have children from more than one relationship, or want to leave assets in unequal or conditional shares. Advice is also sensible if you are unsure which route fits your religion or assets. For a DIFC Courts will, you can choose a lawyer from the official register of Wills Draftsmen.
If you choose, CaseDaleel can introduce you to an independent licensed professional. This happens only with your consent. You can organise your facts first with a free case check.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in the UAE to register a DIFC Courts will?
No, the DIFC Courts say testators do not need UAE residence or a UAE visa, and appointments can take place online by video.
Can a Muslim register a will through these routes?
The DIFC route requires that you are not and have never been Muslim, and the Dubai Courts notary route is for non-Muslim testators. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department says non-UAE citizens may register regardless of religion, but Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 is written for non-Muslims, so confirm your eligibility with the court.
How many witnesses do I need for a DIFC Courts will?
Two witnesses aged 18 or over with valid photo ID, who are not beneficiaries or guardians, or their spouses.
What happens to my UAE assets if I die without a will?
For non-Muslims, the federal civil law gives half to the surviving spouse and half equally to the children, but heirs may ask for a different law under the Civil Code.
Can I change my will later?
Yes, but for a DIFC Courts will any change means signing a new will, and as of September 2026 the modification fee is AED 550 per will.
Official sources
- DIFC Courts — Wills FAQ
- DIFC Courts — Schedule of Fees (Wills Service)
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court (wills)
- Dubai Courts — Ratification of wills of non-Muslims
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Frequently asked questions
- 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.