Registering Your UAE Marriage as a Pakistani Expat
With over 1.5 million Pakistanis living in the UAE, this is one of the most-asked legal questions in the community: after getting married in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, how do I make it official back in Pakistan?
Pakistani law requires all overseas marriages to be registered with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). Failing to do so can create serious problems — visa applications, inheritance claims, children's documentation, and even divorce proceedings can all be affected if the marriage is not officially on record.
This guide covers exactly what you need to do.
Note: Requirements may be updated by NADRA or the Pakistan Embassy. Always verify current procedures at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Pakistan Consulate in Dubai before proceeding.
What Documents Does Pakistan Recognise?
For Pakistani nationals, the Nikkah Nama (marriage contract) is the primary document — whether the nikkah was performed in the UAE or in Pakistan. If the couple married through the UAE Personal Status Court, the UAE marriage certificate is also required.
Step-by-Step: Registering with NADRA from UAE
Step 1: Perform and Register the Nikkah in UAE
If you have not yet registered your nikkah, do so through the UAE Personal Status Court. See our full guide: Muslim Nikkah Registration in UAE.
Once registered, obtain multiple certified copies of the UAE marriage certificate (Aqd Al Zawaj / نكاح عقد). You will need at least two original copies for the registration process.
Step 2: Get the UAE Marriage Certificate Attested
Before Pakistan will accept the UAE marriage certificate, it must be attested:
- Ministry of Justice (MOJ) attestation
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation
- Pakistan Embassy or Consulate attestation
All three stamps are required. The Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai both provide attestation services. Book an appointment through the Pakistani Embassy portal or visit during walk-in hours.
Step 3: Visit the Pakistan Embassy / Consulate
Bring the following to the Embassy or Consulate:
- Original MOFA-attested UAE marriage certificate
- Both parties' Pakistani National Identity Cards (NICs) or NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis)
- Both parties' valid passports
- 2 passport photographs each
- Completed Overseas Marriage Registration Form (available at the Embassy or online)
- Embassy attestation fee (check current rates at the Embassy)
The Embassy will attest the document and issue a registration reference.
Step 4: NADRA Registration
Once the Embassy has processed the marriage, it is forwarded to NADRA in Pakistan for entry into the national database. You will receive a NADRA Family Registration Certificate (FRC) reflecting the marriage — this typically takes 4–8 weeks after Embassy processing.
Alternatively: You can also register the marriage directly at a NADRA office in Pakistan during a visit home, using the attested UAE certificate.
Step 5: Update NADRA Record and NICOP
After registration, update your NICOP and Family Certificate at the Pakistan Embassy's NADRA facilitation desk. This ensures your marital status is correctly reflected on all official Pakistani documents.
Registering a Nikkah Performed in Pakistan
If the nikkah was performed in Pakistan and you are now living in the UAE, the Nikkah Nama from the Union Council where it was registered is your primary document. Bring:
- Original registered Nikkah Nama
- CNIC / NICOP copies of both parties
- Passport copies
Get the Nikkah Nama attested by MOFA in Pakistan before bringing it to the UAE for any UAE-side processing.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Problem: Unregistered nikkahs performed at home ceremonies.
Solution: A nikkah must be registered with the local Union Council in Pakistan or the UAE Personal Status Court to be legally valid. An unregistered nikkah — even if witnessed — has no legal standing for government purposes.
Problem: Delay in NADRA registration causing issues with children's documents.
Solution: Register the marriage as soon as possible after the nikkah. Children's B-forms and Family Certificates require the parents' marriage to be on record.
Problem: Lost Nikkah Nama.
Solution: Contact the Union Council where the nikkah was originally registered (in Pakistan) for a certified copy.
Useful Contacts
- Pakistan Embassy Abu Dhabi: abudhabi.mofa.gov.pk
- Pakistan Consulate Dubai: dubai.mofa.gov.pk
- NADRA overseas services: id.gov.pk
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