How do I get a divorce in the UAE?

To apply for divorce in the UAE you file at the personal status court in the emirate where you live, and the case almost always begins with a mandatory family guidance and reconciliation stage before a judge issues anything. The governing framework is the UAE Personal Status Law, applied through each emirate's courts. In Dubai that court is the Personal Status Court, which sits within Dubai Courts and deals with family matters such as divorce, custody, maintenance and inheritance. The broad path is the same wherever you file. You register the case with the Family Guidance Section — the reconciliation or conciliation committee, and the mandatory first stop for registering a family dispute — which tries to settle matters amicably. If reconciliation fails, the case moves to a court hearing where the judge rules on the divorce and related issues such as custody and maintenance. To begin, you typically present your marriage certificate, passports and Emirates IDs, with Arabic legal translation for any foreign-language documents. The filing channel may be available in person or through the court's electronic services, so check what your court currently offers — in Dubai, that is Dubai Courts. Non-Muslim residents may instead use the civil personal status framework the UAE introduced for non-Muslims, which provides a separate track for family matters including divorce. Costs and timelines vary by emirate, by whether the divorce is mutual or contested, and by your court. Procedures and any fees are set by the court, so confirm the latest requirements with the relevant court directly. You can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to handle the filing or advise on your specific situation.