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In effectCabinet Resolution

UAE Family LawCabinet Resolution No. (212) of 2025 Regarding the Controls and Procedures Governing the Marriage of Persons Under Eighteen (18) Gregorian Years of Age

UAE Cabinet Resolution·Cabinet Resolution No. (212) of 2025

قرار مجلس الوزراء في شأن الضوابط والإجراءات الخاصة بتزويج من هم أقل من سن (18) ثمانية عشر سنة ميلادية

Authoritative Arabic version per the official UAE Legislation portal

Issued Date
December 31, 2025
Effective from
January 15, 2026
Articles
11
Last synced
Jun 15, 2026

Plain-language summary

  • Sets rules for marriage of people under 18 years old in UAE.
  • Requires court approval and medical checks before any underage marriage.
  • Parents or guardians must apply through official government procedures.
  • Protects minor's health, education, and wellbeing in marriage decisions.
  • Establishes penalties for violations of marriage age controls.

Synced from the official UAE Legislation portal · Plain-language summary by the LEXAI editorial team

Article-level text

Key Articles

11 articles

  1. 1

    Article 1

    Article (1) Definitions For the purposes of implementing of the provisions of this Resolution, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise: Decree by Law : Federal Decree by Law No. (41) of 2024 Promulgating the Personal Status Law. Court : The Court of First Instance for Personal Status Matters or the Personal Status Department, as the case may be. Committee : The Committee established pursuant to Article (3) of this Resolution. Early Marriage : The marriage of a person who has attained puberty in accordance with Shari’ah, but has not attained the age of eighteen (18) Gregorian years, whether male or female.

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Controls and Procedures Governing the Marriage of Persons Under Eighteen (18) Gregorian Years of Age 2

  2. 2

    Article 2

    Article (2) Attestation of the Marriage Contract for Persons Under Eighteen Years of Age The attestation of a marriage contract for any male or female who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) Gregorian years shall be prohibited, except with the permission of the Court, after verifying the existence of an interest in such marriage, and in accordance with the controls and procedures set out in this Resolution.

  3. 3

    Article 3

    Article (3) Establishment of the Committee Pursuant to this Resolution, a permanent committee named the "Early Marriage Applications Assessment Committee" shall be established. A resolution shall be issued by the President of the Federal Judicial Council or the Head of the Local Judicial Authority, as the case may be, determining its composition, membership, rules of procedure, and headquarters.

  4. 4

    Article 4

    Article (4) Functions of the Committee The Committee shall undertake the following functions: 1. Receiving applications for permission to enter into an early marriage; 2. Communicating with the guardian of both the prospective husband and the prospective wife; 3. Coordinating with the Court as required for the examination of the case; 4. Addressing the competent authorities to provide it with a report on the social circumstances of both the prospective husband and the prospective wife, including their financial, security, and health conditions. 5. Hearing any person whose testimony it considers necessary for forming its opinion or reaching its conviction, without administering an oath thereto;

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Controls and Procedures Governing the Marriage of Persons Under Eighteen (18) Gregorian Years of Age 3 6. Preparing a comprehensive report on the appropriateness or otherwise of granting permission for an early marriage, including a statement of the grounds supporting or opposing such appropriateness. For this purpose, the Committee may request any documents or records that may assist it in the preparation of its report. 7. Referring the application for permission to marry, together with the accompanying documents and the report prepared in respect thereof, to the Court.

  5. 5

    Article 5

    Article (5) Application for Permission to Enter into an Early Marriage An application for permission to enter into an early marriage shall be submitted to the Committee using the form prepared for this purpose and shall be accompanied by the following documents: 1. A medical report confirming the attainment of puberty, that pregnancy and childbirth pose no risk to the life or physical well-being of the prospective wife, and indicating any diseases that may prevent the marriage, if any; 2. A medical report establishing the psychological condition of both the prospective husband and the prospective wife; 3. Written consent of both the prospective husband and the prospective wife to the marriage, together with proof that neither of them has been subjected to coercion; 4. Proof of the prospective husband's ability to bear maintenance expenses, or a duly attested undertaking by their legal guardian or trustee to provide maintenance for the spouses until the husband attains an age enabling them to earn a livelihood; 5. Proof that the prospective husband has provided suitable matrimonial accommodation; and 6. A criminal record certificate issued by the competent authorities in the State.

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Controls and Procedures Governing the Marriage of Persons Under Eighteen (18) Gregorian Years of Age 4

  6. 6

    Article 6

    Article (6) Controls Governing the Preparation of the Committee's Report When preparing the report referred to in Clause (6) of Article (4) of this Resolution, the Committee shall verify the following: 1. The availability of the documents referred to in Article (5) of this Resolution and their authenticity; 2. The capacity of the prospective husband and the prospective wife to assume marital responsibilities and their full awareness of the obligations arising from marriage; 3. The absence of any likelihood of harm befalling either the prospective husband or the prospective wife as a consequence of granting permission for the early marriage, having regard to their social circumstances and living conditions; 4. The degree of compatibility between the prospective husband and the prospective wife in terms of age and social and financial suitability; and 5. That the marriage will not adversely affect the educational future of either the prospective husband or the prospective wife.

  7. 7

    Article 7

    Article (7) Procedures for Submitting the Report to the Court 1. The Committee shall examine the application submitted thereto, prepare a report thereon, and submit it to the Court after ensuring fulfilment of the conditions and submission of the documents prescribed under this Resolution. 2. The parties may submit their observations on the Committee's report before the Court after the report has been referred thereto.

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Controls and Procedures Governing the Marriage of Persons Under Eighteen (18) Gregorian Years of Age 5

  8. 8

    Article 8

    Article (8) Court Decision 1. The Court shall issue its decision either granting or refusing permission for an early marriage on the basis of the findings contained in the Committee's report. Before deciding on the application, the Court may complete any matters it deems necessary for the proper determination thereof, or may assign the Committee to complete such matters. 2. Where the Court does not adopt the findings set out in the Committee's report, it shall state the reasons therefor in its decision. 3. Any interested person may file a grievance against the Court's decision within seven (7) days from the day following its issuance if rendered in the presence of the parties, or from the day following notification thereof if deemed rendered in their presence. The Court shall decide on the grievance by upholding, amending, or setting aside the decision. The judgment rendered in this regard shall be appealable.

  9. 9

    Article 9

    Article (9) Resubmission of the Application An application for permission to enter into an early marriage may be resubmitted after the rejection of the initial application, provided that a period of not less than six (6) months has elapsed from the date of rejection, or where circumstances affecting the prospective spouses arise that warrant reconsideration of the application.

  10. 10

    Article 10

    Article (10) Repeals The aforementioned Cabinet Resolution No. (71) of 2020 shall be repealed. Any provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this Resolution shall also be repealed.

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    Cabinet Resolution of 2025 Regarding the Controls and Procedures Governing the Marriage of Persons Under Eighteen (18) Gregorian Years of Age 6

  11. 11

    Article 11

    Article (11) Publication and Entry into Force This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on the day following the date of its publication. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Prime Minister Issued by Us: On: 11 Rajab 1447 A.H. Corresponding to: 31 December 2025 A.D.

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Note: The Arabic text of this legislation is the authoritative version as per the official UAE Legislation portal.

Articles in this law(11)
  1. 1Article (1) Definitions For the purposes of implementing of the provisions of th
  2. 2Article (2) Attestation of the Marriage Contract for Persons Under Eighteen Year
  3. 3Article (3) Establishment of the Committee Pursuant to this Resolution, a perman
  4. 4Article (4) Functions of the Committee The Committee shall undertake the followi
  5. 5Article (5) Application for Permission to Enter into an Early Marriage An applic
  6. 6Article (6) Controls Governing the Preparation of the Committee's Report When pr
  7. 7Article (7) Procedures for Submitting the Report to the Court 1. The Committee s
  8. 8Article (8) Court Decision 1. The Court shall issue its decision either granting
  9. 9Article (9) Resubmission of the Application An application for permission to ent
  10. 10Article (10) Repeals The aforementioned Cabinet Resolution No. (71) of 2020 shal
  11. 11Article (11) Publication and Entry into Force This Resolution shall be published
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