Losing an important document is stressful at the best of times, and a marriage certificate is one of those papers you only realise you need when something urgent comes up — a family visa application, an inheritance matter, a name change, or school admission for your child. The good news is that knowing how to replace a lost marriage certificate is straightforward once you understand where it was originally issued and which authority holds the record.
In the UAE, the replacement route depends on whether your marriage was registered here or abroad. A certificate issued by a UAE court can be reissued through that court’s service channels, while one issued in your home country is replaced there (usually with the help of your embassy or consulate). This guide walks you through both routes step by step, so you can get a valid replacement without guesswork.
Quick Answer
To replace a lost marriage certificate issued in the UAE, apply through the court or authority that issued the original — in Dubai this is typically Dubai Courts, in Abu Dhabi the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, and in the Northern Emirates the Ministry of Justice service channels. You will need your Emirates ID (or passport), the date and place of the marriage, and the certificate details if you have them. If your marriage was registered outside the UAE, you must get the replacement from the issuing country, then have it attested for use here. Fees vary by emirate and are usually modest — check the issuing authority’s official portal for the current amount before applying.
First, Figure Out Where the Certificate Was Issued
This is the single most important detail, because the issuing authority is the only one that can give you an official replacement. There are three common situations:
- Married in the UAE in a Sharia court. Muslim marriages are registered with the courts — Dubai Courts in Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department in Abu Dhabi, and federal courts under the Ministry of Justice in the Northern Emirates. Your replacement comes from that court.
- Married in the UAE in a civil ceremony. Non-Muslim couples may have married through the civil marriage services available in Abu Dhabi (the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s civil marriage service) or Dubai’s civil marriage options. The issuing body holds your record.
- Married outside the UAE. If your marriage took place in your home country, the UAE authorities do not keep a copy of your certificate. You will need a replacement from your home country’s civil registry, usually with embassy assistance, followed by document attestation for use in the Emirates.
If you are not sure which body issued your certificate, check any old copies, photos, or scans you may have saved on your phone or email — even a partial image usually shows the issuing authority’s name and seal. If you are requesting a copy of a marriage certificate for the first time after the original was lost, the same application route applies.
How to Replace a Lost Marriage Certificate Issued in the UAE
For certificates issued by UAE courts, the general process is similar across emirates. Courts keep marriage records digitally, so a lost physical certificate does not mean the record is gone.
1. Gather your identification and details
You will normally need one or both spouses’ Emirates ID, a passport copy, and the marriage details: the date of marriage, the court or location where it was registered, and the certificate number if you remember it. If you know your marriage certificate requirements and process details from the original registration, the application goes faster.
2. Apply through the issuing court’s channels
Most courts accept applications online through their websites or smart apps, and also in person at their service centres:
- Dubai: apply through Dubai Courts’ digital services or visit a Dubai Courts service centre. You can also visit the court where the marriage was registered.
- Abu Dhabi: apply through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s services or the TAMM portal.
- Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain: apply through the Ministry of Justice’s service channels or the federal court’s service centres.
Select the service for issuing a replacement or certified copy of a marriage certificate, enter the details requested, upload your identification documents, and pay the fee. You can track progress with the reference number you receive through the court’s usual tracking options.
3. Receive the replacement
Depending on the emirate and the service you chose, the replacement is issued as a certified printed copy collected from the court or delivered by courier, or in some cases as a digitally certified document. Both are official as long as they carry the authority’s seal and certification. Processing typically takes a few working days, though in-person applications at the court itself are often faster.
How to Replace a Lost Marriage Certificate Issued Abroad
If your marriage was registered in your home country — which is the case for most expats — the replacement must come from that country. The UAE cannot reissue a foreign certificate. The usual steps are:
- Contact your home country’s civil registry or vital records office. Most countries allow you to apply online, by mail, or through their embassy or consulate in the UAE. Many embassies in the UAE can receive applications for replacement marriage certificates and forward them to the issuing registry.
- Apply for a certified copy, not a new certificate. You are not getting married again — you are asking for a certified duplicate of the existing record. The application usually requires your identification, the marriage date and place, and both spouses’ details.
- Wait for issuance and delivery. Timelines vary widely by country — some registries issue within days, others take weeks. Plan ahead if you need the document for an upcoming visa or legal deadline.
- Attest the replacement for UAE use. Once you receive it, the certificate normally needs attestation: first from the issuing country’s foreign ministry (or equivalent), then the UAE embassy in that country, and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. This chain of attestation is what makes a foreign document legally recognised in the Emirates.
- Translate if needed. If the certificate is not in English or Arabic, an official legal translation is usually required alongside the attested original.
Start the attestation step as soon as the replacement arrives — it is the most common source of delays for expats, and our UAE document attestation guide explains the full chain.
Documents You Will Usually Need
Exact requirements differ by court and country, but applicants are commonly asked for:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Emirates ID (one or both spouses) | The main identity document for UAE-issued certificates |
| Passport copies | Particularly for certificates issued abroad |
| Marriage date and registration details | Date, place, and certificate number if known |
| Old copy, scan or photo of the certificate | Helpful but not essential — speeds up locating the record |
| Written request or application form | Filled at the court, consulate, or online |
| Fee payment | Varies by authority; check the official portal |
In some cases the court may ask for a police report confirming the document was lost, particularly for older records or if there are complications. This is not universally required, so confirm with the issuing authority rather than assuming.
Fees and Processing Times
Fees for replacing a lost marriage certificate in the UAE are generally modest — typically in the range of a few dozen to a couple of hundred dirhams depending on the emirate, the service channel, and whether you need express handling. Because fees change and differ between courts, treat any figure you see online as a guide and check the official portal of the issuing court before you pay.
Processing times are equally variable. In-person applications at the issuing court can sometimes be completed the same day, while online applications usually take a few working days. Replacements from abroad follow your home country’s timeline, which can stretch to several weeks — always start early if you have a deadline.
Special Situations
The record is very old or was registered decades ago
Older marriages may predate digital record systems. If the court cannot find your record electronically, you may be asked to provide supporting evidence — old passport copies with spouse details, family book entries, or witness statements. Be patient with this process; older archives are searched manually.
Details on the original certificate were wrong
If your lost certificate also had an error (a misspelled name, a wrong date), getting a replacement is a good moment to fix it. Ask the issuing authority about correcting the record at the same time — you will typically need supporting documents proving the correct information. For errors on foreign certificates, corrections must be made in the issuing country first.
One spouse has passed away or the couple has divorced
You can still obtain a replacement copy of the marriage record — courts do not cancel the historical record of a marriage because of divorce or death. The applicant may need to show their relationship to the record (as the spouse, child, or legal heir) and provide identification accordingly.
Protect Your Replacement This Time
Once the replacement is in your hands, a few habits will save you from repeating the process:
- Scan or photograph both sides at high resolution and store copies in at least two places (a secure cloud folder and a physical file).
- Keep the original in a waterproof document folder or safe, not loose in a drawer.
- If you used the certificate for a family visa sponsorship or another official process, note down which documents were submitted so you can reproduce the set if needed.
- Read our guide on keeping official certificates secure for a fuller checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get a replacement marriage certificate online in the UAE?
Yes, in most cases. Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (through TAMM), and the Ministry of Justice all offer digital application channels for certified copies of marriage certificates. The exact service name varies, so search the court’s portal for “marriage certificate” and choose the replacement or copy service.
Does the replacement certificate say “duplicate” or “replacement” on it?
Often, yes — reissued certificates are commonly marked as duplicates or certified copies. This marking does not reduce their legal value. An attested duplicate is accepted by UAE authorities for visas, immigration, and legal processes exactly like the original.
How long does it take to replace a lost marriage certificate?
For UAE-issued certificates, anywhere from the same day (in person at the issuing court) to a few working days online. For certificates issued abroad, it depends entirely on your home country’s registry — allow several weeks and start as early as possible.
Do I need both spouses to apply?
Not always. In many cases one spouse can apply with their own Emirates ID and the marriage details. Some authorities ask for identification from both spouses, so check the requirements of the specific court or registry before you go.
My marriage was never registered in the UAE — can a UAE court issue me a replacement?
No. A UAE court can only replace certificates it issued itself. If your marriage was registered abroad, the replacement must come from the issuing country, and your UAE embassy or consulate can usually advise on the process.
Will I need to attest the replacement certificate again?
If the certificate was issued in the UAE and is being used in the UAE, no further attestation is normally needed. If it was issued abroad, yes — the replacement goes through the same attestation chain as the original (home country foreign ministry, UAE embassy, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs). For background on attestation in general, see the official UAE government portal.
The Bottom Line
Replacing a lost marriage certificate is a routine administrative task, not an emergency — the record still exists even when the paper is gone. Your path depends on one question: where was it issued? UAE-issued certificates are reissued through the issuing court (Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, or the Ministry of Justice), usually within days. Foreign-issued certificates are replaced through your home country’s registry or embassy, then attested for UAE use. Start with your Emirates ID and the marriage details, apply early if you have a deadline, and keep secure copies of the replacement so you never have to do this twice.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.