⁠UAE Marriage & Custody Rules 2025 : Check New Changes

By Akbar Jalaal

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⁠UAE Marriage & Custody Rules 2025 : Check New Changes

UAE personal status law is active in Dubai since April 2025, under which there are several changes to the ⁠UAE Marriage & Custody Rules 2025. For example if a muslim woman in UAE wants to get married then that woman doesn’t need the permission of her Guardian or anyone until it is a provision in her home country. Moreover, non muslim mothers in the UAE are allowed to take custody of their child from a muslim father. The only condition here is that the child must have crossed the age of five. Although all the New Changes To The UAE Marriage And Child Custody Laws 2025 are applicable as per the personal conditions of the applicant only upon the approval of the court. 

According to the New UAE Custody Rules 2025 for children in the UAE, the end of custody age in UAE is 18 years from now onwards for both girls and boys in Dubai. Previously the end of custody age in UAE was 1 year for both the gender which is now reduced to 18 years. Moreover, children who are over the age of 15 get to choose that they want to live with which of their parents, in reference to the decision of the court to which suits the best. Under this condition both the parents are allowed to have travel rights under which both the parents are individually allowed to travel with their children only for 60 days in one year. 

⁠UAE Marriage & Custody Rules 2025 : Check New Changes

⁠UAE Marriage & Custody Rules 2025

All the new changes to the ⁠UAE Marriage & Custody Rules 2025 will help in bringing more equality to parents and enhance the protection for children. Extension of custody age to 18 years and letting children choose their parents at the age of 15 will. Both parents will now be given equal rights to travel with their children for up to 60 days within one year.  If these rules are violated then the court can also file a penalty of Dh5,000 to Dh100,000 along with a time period of jail which depends above the decision of the court which could be due to illegal travel with the child or misuse of the child documents. 

⁠UAE Family Law Reforms In 2025

About⁠UAE Family Law Reforms In 2025
CountryUAE
AuthorityGovernment of UAE
CategoryPersonal status law
Year2025
AboutNew marriage and custody rules in UAE
Implimented from April 2025
New changes Related to the custody of the child and marriage rules updated
Voilation impactjail/ fine 
CategoryNews

New Changes To The UAE Marriage And Child Custody Laws 2025

Following are some of the New Changes To The UAE Marriage And Child Custody Laws 2025.

  • From April 2025 onwards Muslim women need not to consult with a guardian before marriage if the rule is not applied in their birth country.
  • Moreover, once the child turns five the mother of the child is allowed to take the custody of the child from a muslim father.
  • The end of custody age in UAE was 21 which is now reduced to 18 years and over 15 years the child himself gets to decide their legal guardian/parent.
  • Moreover, the court decided what suits best for the child as per their personal interest.

Impact Of New Marriage And Custody Laws In Dubai From 2025

These points show the Impact Of New Marriage And Custody Laws In Dubai From 2025.

  • The new marriage and custody laws in Dubai will give equal rights to both men and women in a marriage and equal rights over a child during separation.
  • Extending the age of the child will help the child now themselves choose their legal guardian.
  • Both the parents will be able to freely go out with their children with a minimum of 60 days traveling in a year.
  • If any of the rules are violated or the documents of the child are used for any unfair means in that case the parent shall be punishable with fine or jail. 

FAQs On ⁠UAE Marriage & Custody Rules 2025 

How much fine one needs to pay if they violate any of the marriage or custody rules in UAE?

If you violate any of the custody or marriage rules in UAE in that case you may have to pay a fine of Dh5,000 to Dh100,000. 

What is the legal age of the child to himself decide his legal guardian during separation in UAE?

During separation in UAE a child gets to himself decide his legal guardian if they are over the age of 15. 

Does a muslim woman need to consult their guardian before marriage?

Before marriage a muslim woman needs not to take permission from her guardian if it’s her will or if any such law is not applied at their birth place.

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