By the Private Notary Dubai Team | Last updated: July 2026
What Is Wills Registration in Dubai Courts?
Wills registration in Dubai Courts means notarising an official document in which the testator expresses their wishes for distributing their money and property located in the UAE to chosen heirs or beneficiaries, instead of leaving the matter to default distribution rules. Once the will is notarised, it becomes legally valid and officially registered, giving both the owner and their heirs clear legal standing and protecting their rights.
This procedure is intended for non-Muslims — residents and asset owners in the country who wish their estate to be distributed according to their personal wishes. The estate affairs of Muslims are governed by Islamic Sharia principles and fall outside this route.
💡 Who is this for? Any non-Muslim resident who owns property, a bank account or company shares in the UAE, or has minor children and wishes to appoint a guardian for them, is directly concerned with wills registration in Dubai.
The Legal Framework for Non-Muslim Wills in Dubai
Non-Muslim wills in Dubai are governed by a clear legislative framework that guarantees the testator’s freedom to dispose of their assets:
🏛️ Dubai Law No. (15) of 2017
On the administration of non-Muslims’ estates and the execution of their wills in the Emirate of Dubai — the local framework that governs registering and executing the will.
⚖️ Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2022
On Civil Personal Status for non-Muslims, in force since February 2023; its Article (11) grants the testator the right to leave a will covering all of their assets located in the country.
Under this framework, a non-Muslim enjoys the freedom to distribute their UAE-based assets according to their wishes, provided the registration and notarisation conditions are met. You can find more information on the official websites of Dubai Courts and the UAE Ministry of Justice.
Requirements for Wills Registration in Dubai
For a will to be accepted and valid for registration, the testator must meet the following conditions:
Be a non-Muslim — this route is exclusively for non-Muslims.
Be of legal age — 21 years or older.
Be of full mental capacity — aware of and understanding their actions at the time of drafting the will.
Appoint an executor — a person to carry out the will’s provisions and manage the distribution of assets.
A document free of alterations — the will must be clear and free of any erasures, crossing-out or unauthenticated additions.
✅ Good to know: Notarising the will through us does not require you to bring any witnesses, which makes the process simpler and faster.
Documents Required for Wills Registration
The required documents vary depending on the nature of the assets included in the will. Here is the core list:
📄 Core documents (for every will):
- Emirates ID and passport of the testator.
- Emirates ID or passport of the beneficiaries.
📎 Additional documents by asset type:
- If real estate is included in the will: the property Title Deed.
- If there are bank accounts: an IBAN Letter.
- If there are companies or shares: the trade license + the Memorandum of Association.
How to Register a Will in Dubai Courts, Step by Step
We have designed the process to be simple, fast and fully remote:
Get in touch and define the scope: the client contacts us and outlines the assets to be included in the will and their beneficiaries.
Draft the will: our legal team prepares a precisely worded draft covering all the required assets and provisions.
Client review and approval: the client reviews the draft, provides feedback, and approves the final version.
Notarisation and registration: after approval, we notarise the will remotely, so it becomes legally valid and officially registered.
Can a Will Be Registered Remotely?
Yes. Registering and notarising the will can be completed fully remotely via a video call, with no need to attend Dubai Courts in person. This saves you time and effort and allows asset owners both inside and outside the UAE to complete their will with complete ease.
⏱️ Turnaround time: just two working days — one day to draft the will and one day to notarise and officially register it.
Which Assets Can the Will Cover?
A will can cover a wide range of assets located within the country, including real estate, which may later require procedures such as a power of attorney to sell property:
🏢 Real estate
Apartments, villas, land and investment properties registered in the testator’s name.
🏦 Bank accounts
Balances and deposits held in bank accounts within the country.
📊 Company shares
Shares and stakes in companies registered in the UAE.
👨👩👧 Guardianship of children
Appointing a guardian for minor children to ensure their care and protect their rights.
Regarding minor children, a guardian can be appointed within the will, and complementary steps such as a custody declaration in the UAE can be taken to confirm care arrangements.
Benefits of Registering a Will in Dubai
Registering a will is not a mere formality — it is a step that protects your family and your assets. Its key benefits include:
- Distributing assets according to your wishes: ensuring your property goes to those you choose, not according to default rules.
- Protecting the rights of your spouse and children: securing your family’s future and avoiding legal surprises.
- Avoiding family disputes: clear provisions reduce the likelihood of conflict among heirs.
- Choosing a guardian for minor children: appointing someone you trust to care for your children.
- A smooth transfer of assets: easing the transfer of property, accounts and companies to beneficiaries.
Common Mistakes When Preparing a Will
The most frequent problems that invalidate a will or weaken its enforceability arise from drafting errors, including:
- Vague wording or conflicting provisions that open the door to interpretation and dispute.
- Omitting some assets or failing to describe them precisely.
- Failing to appoint an executor, or choosing an unsuitable one.
- Relying on generic templates that do not comply with the law applied in the country.
That is why it is essential to engage an expert, trusted office with positive client reviews, to ensure the will is drafted soundly and notarised correctly.
How Private Notary Dubai Helps You
We handle the entire process for you through:
- Sound drafting: preparing the will’s draft with precise legal wording that covers all your assets and wishes.
- Notarisation and registration at Dubai Courts: officially notarising the will so it becomes valid and registered.
- A fully remote service: completing the process over a video call in just two working days.
We also provide notarisation services before multiple authorities including the Ministry of Justice, Dubai Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. If you need representation in estate matters, you may also find a power of attorney for inheritance useful.
Ready to register your will in Dubai Courts?
Contact us now and complete your will remotely in just two working days.
📌 Important notes:
- Wills registration in Dubai Courts is available exclusively to non-Muslims.
- The will covers assets located within the UAE.
- Final execution and acceptance of the will rest with the competent judicial authority, depending on each case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Muslims register a will in Dubai Courts through this route?
No, this route is exclusively for non-Muslims. The estate affairs of Muslims are governed by Islamic Sharia principles.
Can the will be registered remotely without coming to Dubai?
Yes, the will is notarised fully remotely over a video call, with no need to attend in person.
How long does wills registration take?
Just two working days: one day to draft the will and one day to notarise and officially register it.
Do I need witnesses to notarise the will?
No, our process does not require you to bring any witnesses.
What documents are required to register a will?
The testator’s Emirates ID and passport, the beneficiaries’ Emirates ID or passport, plus the Title Deed for real estate, an IBAN Letter for bank accounts, and the trade license and Memorandum of Association if there are companies.
Which assets can the will cover?
Real estate, bank accounts and company shares, in addition to appointing a guardian for minor children — among the assets located within the country.
Which law governs non-Muslim wills in Dubai?
Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 on the administration of non-Muslims’ estates and the execution of their wills, together with Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for non-Muslims.
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The Private Notary Dubai Team
Licensed notaries in Dubai, we help residents and asset owners draft, notarise and register non-Muslim wills before the competent authorities, with daily hands-on experience dealing with Dubai Courts, the Ministry of Justice and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
Conclusion
Wills registration in Dubai is an essential step for every non-Muslim resident who wants to protect their assets, secure their family’s future and ensure their property is distributed according to their wishes. And with the ability to complete the process fully remotely in just two working days, there is no longer any reason to postpone it. The Private Notary Dubai team is ready to help you with sound drafting, notarisation and official registration with complete ease and professionalism.
Abdul Hamid is a legal consultant with extensive experience in providing legal advice in the United Arab Emirates. His expertise focuses on legal drafting, resolving commercial disputes, and drafting and reviewing corporate and employment contracts.