Same-sex marriage is not legal in the UAE. The federal law that governs civil marriage requires it to be between a male and a female, and Abu Dhabi's civil marriage law describes it as a union between a man and a woman. UK government travel advice adds that same-sex marriages are not recognized in the UAE, so couples who want a legal wedding need to marry in a country where same-sex marriage is legal.
No. According to the UAE government, civil marriage is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on the Civil Personal Status, and couples can apply through the Ministry of Justice, the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court or Dubai Courts. The law's executive regulations set the conditions for a civil marriage, and one of them is that it "shall be executed between a male and a female."
Abu Dhabi has its own civil marriage law. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department describes civil marriage as "a legally recognised union between a man and a woman," governed by Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 on Civil Marriage. Our guide to Dubai marriage requirements covers the civil routes open to opposite-sex couples.
The UK government's travel advice for the UAE states that "same-sex marriages are not recognised" in the UAE. If you married in another country, don't expect the UAE to treat you as a married couple, and ask your own embassy if you need advice on your situation.
The same UK advice says same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the UAE. It describes the UAE as in many respects a tolerant society where private life is respected, but notes reports of individuals being punished for same-sex sexual activity, particularly where there is a public element or where the behavior has caused offense. It says this applies both to foreign residents and to tourists.
It also says that showing affection in public is frowned upon for all couples, and that you can be arrested for kissing in public. Check your own government's latest travel advice for the UAE before you go, since guidance can change.
To marry legally, choose a country where same-sex marriage is legal and hold your wedding there. Scotland is one of them, since mygov.scot says couples in a mixed-sex or same-sex relationship can marry, and our guide to getting married in Scotland as a foreigner explains the process for couples coming from overseas.
Photo: Heather Smith
Recognition of a marriage performed abroad also depends on your home country's rules, so check those before you book.
Photo: Bárbara Marques
Once you've chosen where to marry, Wedded Concierge can help you plan the wedding itself.
Written by
Senior SEO Specialist, Wedded Wonderland
Mark Tuason is the Senior SEO Specialist at Wedded Wonderland, where he writes and refreshes the brand's guides to destination weddings and cultural wedding traditions. He starts with the questions couples search for, checks the answers against trusted sources, and shapes each guide to help them plan, compare and book with confidence. Based in the Philippines, he specialises in content strategy and on-page SEO.
Search real weddings, venues and vendors from around the world.
Search Wedded Wonderland
