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How non-Muslim expats can register wills in UAE: Procedure explained
A non-Muslim expat in the UAE may register his/her will at the consulate or embassy of his or her own country, if such service is available, or in UAE courts
- PUBLISHED: Sun 1 Feb 2026, 8:04 AM UPDATED: Sun 1 Feb 2026, 8:09 AM
Question: I am an expat and am just exploring the processes and documentation for writing my Will. Can you please offer some guidance in this regard?
Answer: In the UAE, non-Muslims may apply the provisions of the UAE Personal Status Law for non-Muslims for their personal matters in accordance with Article 1(1) of the Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status Law, which states:
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“The provisions of this Decree Law shall apply to non-Muslims who are national citizens of the United Arab Emirates, and to non-Muslim foreigners residing in the state, unless any of them adheres to the application of the law of their home country, with regards to the articles of marriage, divorce, inheritance, wills, and proof of parentage, without prejudice to the provisions of Articles (12), (13), (15), (16), and (17) of Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 referred to above.”
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Based on the provisions of the UAE Personal Status Law for non-Muslims, non-Muslims may register a Will as per their choice and register a Will through the courts of the respective emirate in the UAE, offering wills registration services. This is in accordance with Article 11(1) of the UAE Personal Status Law for non-Muslims, which states:
“A legator may leave a Will with all his assets in the State to anyone of his/her choice according to the controls set out by the Implementing Regulations of this Decree Law.”
In addition, the registration of wills of non-Muslim individuals in Dubai may follow the provisions of Law No. 15 of 2017 Concerning the Administration of Estates and Implementation of Wills of Non-Muslims in the Emirate of Dubai, specifically Article 3 and Article 6(a).
Article 3 of Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 states:
“This Law will apply to all Wills and Estates of non-Muslims in the Emirate, including in the Dubai International Financial Centre.”
Meanwhile, Article 6(a) of Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 states:
“A register known as the 'Register of Wills of non-Muslims' will be created at the Dubai Courts and the DIFC Courts for the purpose of registering Wills of non-Muslims.”
Following the above provisions of the Dubai Law No 15 of 2017, a non-Muslim resident in Dubai may register his or her will at the Dubai Courts or the DIFC Courts Wills Service Centre of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
A will to be registered in Dubai Courts or DIFC must include the details of the executor(s) and/or beneficiaries of the testator's properties and assets, including but not limited to all of the testator's movable and immovable properties, tangible and intangible properties. This also includes, but is not limited to, real estate properties, shares in businesses and legal entities, bank accounts and the funds held in these accounts, social media accounts, intellectual property, and other matters based in the UAE or outside the UAE.
With respect to the registration of wills at the DIFC Wills Service Centre, Article 9(1) of DIFC Wills and Probate Registry Rules sets out the requirements for the registration of non-Muslim wills. The provisions read as follows:
"These rules shall apply only to Wills:
a. of non-Muslim individuals over the Age of Majority;
b. 1) that are in a form as set out in Schedule 1, in the English language, in writing;
2) witnessed by at least two witnesses of the age of majority, such persons being either physically or virtually present in front of the Registrar or an Authorised Officer at the time of witnessing;
c. signed (in person) by the Testator;
d. that appoint Executors over the Age of Majority;
e. that appoint a Guardian, if at all, for a Minor who is habitually a resident with the Testator, in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah;
f. that are deposited and (at the time of death) remain registered with the Registry; and
g. that state that the Testator intends Administration and succession to the Property dealt with by the Will to be governed by these Rules and the laws of the DIFC.”
At the DIFC Wills Service Centre, a testator may include all his estate within and outside the UAE. This is in accordance with Article 11 of the DIFC WPR Rules, which states:
“A Will may give or dispose of Immovable and Movable Property, located in any part of the world, to which the Testator is entitled at the time of his death, whether the Testator became entitled to it before or after the registration of his Will, and shall not govern succession to any other Property.”
Furthermore, a non-Muslim individual may also register his or her will with Abu Dhabi Global Markets Court (ADGM Courts).
A non-Muslim expat in the UAE may also register his/her will at the consulate or embassy of his or her own country, if such service is available.
Therefore, based on the aforementioned provisions of law, you may register your Will for your Estate in the UAE before the Notary Public at the Dubai Courts, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Ministry of Justice, DIFC Wills Service Centre or the ADGM Court. You may also register your Will at the embassy or consulate of your home country, if the service is available.
Ashish Mehta is the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practise law in Dubai, the United Kingdom and India. Full details of his firm on: www.amalawyers.com. Readers may e-mail their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or send them to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.
