UAE introduces new marriage law covering consent, custody and age limits

The UAE has introduced a new marriage law addressing issues related to consent, custody, and age limits.

The law, which takes effect April 15, grants individuals the right to choose their spouse, even if their guardian objects, according to the Khaleej Times.

For Muslim women who are non-citizens, guardian consent is not required if their country’s nationality laws do not mandate it for marriage.

The legal age for marriage is 18. If an individual wishes to marry but faces refusal from their guardian, they have the right to appeal to a judge.

The law also addresses age differences in marriage, particularly cases in which older men marry younger women. If the age gap exceeds 30 years, the marriage can only proceed with court approval.

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Engagement is defined as “the request of a man to marry a woman who is permissible for him, along with a promise of marriage.” If an engagement is broken, gifts can only be reclaimed if they were given on the condition of marriage. Valuable gifts exceeding 25,000 dirhams ($6,800) may be recovered either in kind or based on their value at the time they were received, unless they are consumable items.

The law also establishes rules for living arrangements. The husband is responsible for providing suitable housing for his wife. If the wife agrees, he may live in the same home with his parents and children from previous marriages. The wife may also live with her children from another marriage if they have no other guardian or would be harmed by separation. However, the husband has the right to withdraw from this arrangement if it causes him harm.

If both spouses share a home, neither can allow another person to live with them without the other's consent. Leaving the house or going to work does not violate marital obligations.

The law also introduces amendments to child custody rules, allowing children aged 15 and above to choose which parent they wish to live with.

Additionally, strict penalties—including imprisonment or fines ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 dirhams—will be imposed for offenses such as misappropriating minors' property, traveling with wards without permission, and neglecting parental responsibilities.