Filing for divorce via the Dubai Courts

Filing for divorce via the Dubai Courts (2025)

This guide is for expats living in Dubai. You don’t need a lawyer for an amicable divorce

(non-contested divorce as recognized under UAE personal status law) if you both agree on the

terms.

1. What you need to gather first

Make sure you have the following documents:

• Passports of both spouses

• Emirates ID of both spouses

• Valid UAE residence visa

• Marriage certificate (officially translated into Arabic)

• Birth certificates of the children (if applicable), also translated

If the documents were issued outside the UAE, they must be legalized and translated in the

correct order. No valid documents = no application.

2. Create a UAE Pass account

You need a UAE Pass to log in to Dubai Courts.

Make sure you have an activated account.

3. Access the Dubai Courts website

Log in to the e-portal via:

https://www.dubaicourts.gov.ae

Or directly:

https://xn----ymcerm2jld2c.xn--

mgbaam7a8h/DCWeb_Common/CommonPages.Login.aspx

Use your UAE Pass to log in.

4. Submit a divorce request

1. Select "Personal Status Case"

2. Choose "Divorce"

3. Fill in your personal information

4. Upload your documents5. Submit the request

You’ll then receive an appointment with the Family Guidance department.

5. Attend the family guidance session

Cost of family guidance

• Family Guidance: fees range between AED 200 and AED 500 depending on the case

Additional costs to consider

• Certified translation of documents: approx. AED 100 to AED 250 per page

• Legalization of foreign documents (e.g., marriage certificate):

o Stamping by foreign authorities: varies by country

o Legalization at UAE embassy: approx. AED 150

o Legalization at UAE MoFAIC: approx. AED 150 per document

• Attestation of Final Judgment by UAE Ministry of Justice: AED 50

• Lawyer fees (optional): depend heavily on the firm and language. Basic guidance

starts from AED 7,500. English-speaking and international firms charge hourly rates

of AED 2,000–5,000. For complex cases with hearings, the total can rise significantly.

• Interpreter (if needed at the hearing): from AED 300 per hour

• Print/upload services at Dubai Courts (if outsourced): approx. AED 50 to AED

100 per use

You must pay the Family Guidance fee online via the Dubai Courts portal after your request

is processed. Cash is not accepted. Payment is required for the session to proceed.

The court assigns a mediator. You must attend the session together. Lawyers are not allowed

at this stage.

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an appointment with Family Guidance,

usually at the Dubai Courts building, but sometimes online via video call. You’ll be notified

by SMS or email.

Bring to the session:

• A valid passport and Emirates ID

• A printed copy of your application

• A draft settlement agreement (if you already agreed on terms)

During the meeting, the mediator will ask questions about your situation and try to help you

reach an agreement. Topics discussed include:

• Do both of you agree to divorce?

• Have you agreed on matters related to children, alimony, and assets?

• Is there any pressure or coercion involved?The mediator enters notes into the Dubai Courts system. Two outcomes are possible:

• You agree. You bring a draft settlement agreement to the session. The mediator

checks the clarity and completeness of the terms. It’s then submitted to the court

system along with a standard form. Usually, no follow-up session is needed. You’ll

receive a message with the date of a short court hearing. One of you must attend

(unless the judge allows a remote hearing). Once the judge approves the agreement,

the divorce becomes final. You must then request the Final Judgment and legalize it

(see step 9).

• You don’t agree. The mediator issues a referral letter, which allows you to start a

formal court case.

This step is mandatory. You can’t skip straight to court.

6. Starting a court case (if you disagree)

Court fees

• Uncontested divorce: approx. AED 2,000 to AED 3,000

• With financial disputes or property claims: higher (up to 6% of the claimed amount)

You pay online through the Dubai Courts portal. Cash is not accepted. Make sure you’ve

activated your eDirham or linked payment method.

If you’ve received a referral letter, you must file a case within 3 months via the Dubai Courts

portal.

Steps:

1. 2. 3. Log in to the portal using your UAE Pass.

Go to 'Case Registration' and select 'Personal Status - Divorce'.

Fill out the form completely:

o Personal details of both spouses

o Marriage details (date, location)

o Reason for divorce

o Requests regarding children, alimony, assets

4. Upload all required documents:

o Referral letter from Family Guidance

o Marriage certificate (Arabic)

o Passport, Emirates ID, and visa copies

o Children’s birth certificates (if applicable)

o Supporting evidence (income, property, prior agreements)

Common upload mistakes

o JPEG or Word files: only PDF is accepted

o Files over 5 MB: compress or split into partso File names with spaces or special characters: use only letters, numbers, and

5. 6. underscores

o Multilingual documents without Arabic translation: include certified

Arabic version

Review everything and click submit.

Once approved, you’ll receive a payment notice for court fees. Pay this online.

Once payment is processed, you’ll receive a case number and later a hearing date. You’ll be

notified by SMS or email.

You are expected to appear in person at the hearing. A lawyer is optional. During the hearing,

the judge asks for your position, evidence, and any proposals on how to resolve the divorce.

After the hearing, you’ll be notified once the judgment is issued. You can then request the

Final Judgment via the portal. See step 9 for legalization.

7. Child custody, alimony, and housing

The judge will assess all disputed matters, including:

• Daily care of the children (custody – the right to care for and make daily decisions for

the child)

• Legal authority over the children (guardianship – the legal responsibility for official

matters such as education, passports, and consent for travel)

• Visitation schedules

• Decisions about school, medical care, and passports

• Child support and spousal maintenance

• Who may stay in the home and who pays the rent

What you need to provide

You must provide clear documents and evidence, such as:

• Income statements (salary slips, bank statements)

• School enrollment letters

• Tenancy contract or title deed

• Medical reports (if a child needs special care)

• A draft parenting plan (if agreed)

How the judge decides

The judge bases their decision on the best interests of the child:

• Custody is granted based on suitability, not gender

• Custody continues until age 18

• Children aged 15 or older may express a preference

• Relocation to another emirate or country requires consent or court permissionIf you already agreed on arrangements for children, housing, or support, upload a signed

agreement via the portal under ‘Submit New Attachment’ as a PDF. Make sure the document

is uploaded at least five working days before your hearing.

8. Judgment and registration

After the hearing, the judge issues the Final Judgment. You then receive:

• A Final Judgment (the full legal ruling from the Dubai Courts confirming the

dissolution of the marriage and all related decisions): the full court ruling, including

all orders

• A Divorce Certificate: a brief confirmation of the divorce, used for administrative

purposes

Mandatory registration within 15 days

Under the 2024 law, the party who initiated the case must ensure that the divorce is formally

registered within 15 days after judgment.

If this is not done and no valid excuse is provided, the other party can claim compensation

equal to the amount of alimony for the delay period.

Registration is often automatic when you request the Final Judgment, but you are responsible

for confirming it.

Monitor the status via the portal or contact the court clerk to confirm completion.

Summary

Step What you do

1 Gather all required documents

2 Create a UAE Pass account

3 Log in to the Dubai Courts portal

4 Submit your divorce request

5 Attend Family Guidance session

6 Start a formal court case (if needed)

7 Present your case regarding children and assets

8 Pay fees and follow registration steps

9 Request and legalize your Final Judgment