How to Register a Will in the UAE (DIFC & Abu Dhabi Civil Wills)
Non-Muslims who live or invest in the UAE can register a will. They can use the DIFC Courts Wills Service or the Abu Dhabi Civil Wills Office. Registration is what makes the will legally valid. If there is no registered will, the Abu Dhabi civil intestacy rules apply. The surviving spouse gets half. The other half is shared equally between the children.
At a glance
- Cost:
- DIFC Full Will from AED 10,000 (single); ADJD regular will registration AED 950
- Total time:
- Varies — confirm on difccourts.ae / adjd.gov.ae
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- difccourts.ae
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UAE sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go Self-check
Choose DIFC or ADJD
The DIFC Wills Service is a joint initiative of the Government of Dubai and DIFC Courts. It is for non-Muslims who invest and live in the UAE. It is governed by Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017. For ADJD civil wills, any non-UAE citizen can register a will with the Abu Dhabi Civil Wills Office. Religion does not matter.
Click to mark as done
- Before You Go Self-check
Choose the will type
These are the DIFC forms. The Full Will is Form 1. It covers all movable and immovable assets. The Guardianship Will is Form 2. It is for minors below 18. The Property Will is Form 3. It covers shares in up to 5 UAE real-estate properties. The Business Owners Will is Form 4. It covers shares in up to 5 UAE companies. The Financial Assets Will is Form 5. It covers shares in up to 10 UAE bank accounts. The Digital Assets Will is Form 6. It covers all digital assets. ADJD lists regular and special will registration. The ADJD page does not define what counts as "special". So check with ADJD.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare Varies
Draft the will
ADJD provides a standard will template in English and Arabic. Or you can hire a specialist wills lawyer. A civil will can leave funds and property that are located outside the country.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay Varies
Submit for registration
For ADJD, submit through the ADJD website. The testator submits in person, or a representative submits under a legal Power of Attorney. An employee reviews the application. For DIFC, register through the DIFC Courts Wills Service.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay At registration DIFC from AED 5,000; ADJD AED 950 / 2,500
Pay the fees
DIFC fees have no VAT. For a Full Will: Single AED 10,000, Mirror AED 15,000. The booking fee is AED 1,000 / 2,000. For a Guardianship Will: Single AED 5,000, Mirror AED 7,500. The booking fee is AED 500 / 750. For a Property Will: Single AED 7,500, Mirror AED 10,000. The booking fee is AED 750 / 1,000. For a Business Owners Will, a Financial Assets Will, and a Digital Assets Will: Single AED 5,000, Mirror AED 7,500. The booking fee is AED 500 / 750. Mirror means a married couple registering at the same time. The booking fee is deducted from the service fee. You cannot get it back if the appointment is cancelled. The same applies if you reschedule more than 3 times, or if you reschedule more than 90 days out. Other DIFC fees: AED 550 to modify a will, AED 375 for inspection, and AED 0 for withdrawal. For ADJD, a regular will registration costs AED 950. A special will registration costs AED 2,500.
Click to mark as done
- Receive Varies
Probate / certify the will
For ADJD, book an appointment to probate the will by video conference. If it is approved, the will is officially certified and notarised at the Judicial Department. Remember: a civil will is only legally valid if it is registered. Sending a draft alone is not enough.
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- Follow Up At death
Know what happens without a will
Under Abu Dhabi civil intestacy (Law No. 14 of 2021, Art. 11(2)), the surviving spouse gets half of the inheritance. The other half is shared equally between the children. There is no difference between male and female. If there are no children, the rest of the inheritance is shared equally between the parents of the person who died. If one parent has died, the surviving parent keeps their half share. The other half is shared equally between the siblings. If both parents have died, it is shared equally between the siblings. For Muslims, the Sharia inheritance rules apply. Check the position with a lawyer or the court.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can register a will in the UAE?
The DIFC Wills Service is for non-Muslims who invest and live in the UAE. ADJD civil wills are open to any non-UAE citizen. Religion does not matter.
What is a mirror will?
A mirror will is when a married couple register their wills at the same time. DIFC charges one combined mirror fee. For example, a Full Will costs AED 15,000 as a mirror will, and AED 10,000 as a single will.
Does my will cover assets outside the UAE?
ADJD states you can leave funds and property that are located outside the country. Check how foreign assets are treated with your wills lawyer.
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