Last updated | September 3rd, 2025
In Dubai, the divorce applications have to be initially registered in the Family Guidance Section of the concerned judicial department. The procedure of divorce in Dubai is a regulated legal process that is also guided by the UAE federal laws, as well as the possibility of the foreign laws of the parents in case it is a non-Muslim expatriate. This guide will give a detailed way of applying for a divorce in Dubai with legal requirements, documents required, procedures to follow and other costs involved.
Legal Requirements
The legal proceedings of divorce must be authorised only by one of the family members who is either a resident of the UAE or a national, and the couple must have a marriage certificate and the necessary documents must be issued and attested. To take place, a divorce must be grounded upon grounds, e.g. irreconcilable differences.
Documents Needed
Essential documents include:
Valid passports and Emirates IDs of both spouses.
Original and translated marriage certificate.
Evidence of residency in the UAE.
Any related childcare documents (birth certificates, custody agreements, etc.).
Step-by-Step Process
Filing a Case: A divorce case is initiated once it is registered at the Family Guidance Section of its judicial department.
Conciliation Attempt: A conciliator will be appointed by a court, and he will attempt to reconcile the parties. This step is mandatory in the UAE divorce process.
Court Proceedings: In a circumstance where the reconciliation process fails, the case is taken to court, where the two parties present their argument.
Ruling: According to the arguments as well as the evidence brought in the court, the court issues a ruling.
Role of Family Guidance Section
The Family Guidance Section tries to reconcile discrepancies between spouses that cannot be done without in court.
It also offers counselling, and it helps in negotiation in the absence of any legal representatives, so as to have a fair and just process.
Court Procedures
Filing: Submit the case to the Family Court.
Hearing: Attend hearings where both parties present their cases.
A decision: The judge passes a decision, which can be alimony, child custody and distribution of assets.
Timeline of Divorce Cases
The time frame differs
Uncontested Divorce: This one generally takes a few months.
Contested Divorce: This can take up to a year or more, depending on the complexities in the divorce and disputes.
Cost of Divorce in Dubai
Costs can range:
Friendly Divorce: AED 8 000 to A ED25 000.
Contested Divorce: It can range up to AED 50,000 and above, in the case of legal representation and a lengthy process.
Rights of Husband and Wife
Following a divorce in Dubai, both the husband and the wife qualify to be given alimony, which is money given to the dependent spouse by the court. This will allow both partners to continue with a decent standard of living after the divorce.
Child custody is formed through ample considerations of the best interests of the child, including age, well-being and capabilities of the parents. Both spouses can also demand the fair division of marital property, which guarantees a division of property, savings, and other common resources.
Divorce Process Overview
| Step | Description |
| 1. Registration | File at Family Guidance Section |
| 2. Conciliation | Attempted mediation by a court-appointed conciliator |
| 3. Court Proceedings | If reconciliation fails, the case moves to court. |
| 4. Judgment | Court issues final ruling |
Conclusion
The procedure of divorce in Dubai is procedural to determine equity for the involved parties. Knowing what the law requires, what can be provided, and how best the process can be followed can help to simplify the process. To find personal guidance, one should probably address the advice of a family law professional in the UAE.
FAQs
Are expatriates who are not Muslim able to apply home country laws?
Yes, the non-Muslim expats can request the use of the laws of their country of origin, especially when they show or provide relevant documentation and translation of the same.
What if my spouse is not in the UAE?
You may initiate the divorce, but Proof of the efforts to inform the non-present spouse is required by the court.
Is legal representation mandatory?
Although legal representation is not obligatory, it may be helpful to get out of the complexities of the divorce process.