UAE Couples Can Now Get Married Online While In Lockdown
An online marriage service will allow couples to get married whilst abiding by the social distancing rules
Many engaged couples around the world – who have been planning for a spring or summer wedding, most likely for months now – have been forced to either cancel or postpone their big day thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, the UAE has launched an online marriage service that allows couples to still wed, despite the 24-hour lockdown.
The ministry of justice will permit residents to select a date for an online wedding ceremony, and will conduct the wedding via video link with a cleric, providing all paperwork and payment has been submitted and approved. The service is currently only available to Muslims.
#وزارة_العدل تعلن توفر خدمة عقود الزواج عن بعد للحد من حضور المتعاملين الى المحاكم وتسهيلاً على المواطنين والمقيمين إتمام معاملاتهم الشخصية القانونية والقضائية في ظل الأوضاع الحالية. #خلك_في_بيتك #ملتزمون_ياوطن pic.twitter.com/2nVMbyEXdu
— وزارة العدل (@MOJ_UAE) April 11, 2020
The process will begin with the cleric interviewing the bride, groom and their witnesses to verify their identity, before all parties proceeding to sign the contracts electronically. Once the ceremony is completed, the couple will receive their marriage certificate via text message.
As reported by WAM the service was introduced “to maintain the health of the public and that of people working in courts and to limit the presence of employees.” The service can be accessed on moj.gov.ae by selecting the e-services option.
It is unclear whether it will be accessible for individuals of all faiths in the future.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/Pronovias