How to Issue a Declaration of Parentage in the UAE

Introduction to Declaration of Parentage in the UAE

A Declaration of Parentage in the UAE is a legal document through which a man acknowledges a child as his own. This declaration confirms the parent-child relationship, making it an important legal procedure for proving paternity.

As a licensed office offering private notary services, we can help you complete the Declaration of Parentage online quickly and efficiently.

Legal Basis for Declaration of Parentage in the UAE

According to Article 89 of the UAE Personal Status Law, parentage can be proven through marriage, acknowledgment, evidence, or scientific methods, provided the marriage is valid.

This principle is derived from Islamic Sharia law, which stipulates that the child belongs to the marital bed, provided that the marriage contract has lasted at least the minimum duration of pregnancy (180 days). It also requires no proof of marital separation between the couple.

A declaration of parentage does not solely depend on the father’s acknowledgment. The mother can also declare that her child is the offspring of a specific individual.

Article 93 of the UAE Personal Status Law outlines the conditions for a wife’s acknowledgment of parentage. For a woman to confirm her child’s parentage to her husband, the husband must validate the acknowledgment or provide evidence to support it.

Conditions for Writing a Declaration of Parentage in the UAE

• The declarant must be of sound mind and must act voluntarily.
• The declarant must be legally and religiously eligible to make the acknowledgment.
• There should be an age difference between the declarant and the person acknowledged as their child that makes the acknowledgment credible.
• The person being acknowledged must be of unknown parentage. If the child already has a father, the acknowledgment is only valid if the father denies the parentage.
• The child must confirm the acknowledgment if they are an adult and of sound mind.
• The child must not be born out of wedlock.
• The acknowledgment must be notarized by a private or public notary and then officially documented to have legal effect.

Required Documents for a Declaration of Parentage in the UAE

• Valid UAE national ID cards for those involved.
• Marriage certificate.
• Proof of consummation of marriage.
• Family book (for UAE citizens).
• Passport (for foreign residents).

Steps to Issue a Declaration of Parentage in the UAE

1. The declarant acknowledges the parentage of the child.
2. The declarant meets with the child and affirms that the declarant is their parent.
3. Contact a private or public notary to proceed with the declaration. Our office provides this service with highly experienced notaries.
4. The notary ensures all legal conditions for the Declaration of Parentage are met and then arranges a meeting with the declarant and the person acknowledged as their child—either in person or remotely via platforms like Google Meet.
5. The declarant or the acknowledged person submits supporting documents for parentage, including written or digital evidence or witness testimony.
6. The notary drafts the declaration and reads it aloud to both parties, ensuring everyone fully understands the declaration.
7. The declarant, the acknowledged person, and the witnesses sign the document.
8. The private notary certifies the declaration and then officially documents it, giving it full legal effect.

Sample Declaration of Parentage in the UAE

Declaration of Parentage

I, the undersigned:

Name: ____________
Nationality: ____________
UAE ID Number: ____________
Address: ____________

Hereby declare, with full legal capacity as per Sharia law and civil law, that Mr. ___________ (Nationality: ____________) with UAE ID No. _________ and residing at __________, is my son. I was married to Mrs. __________ (Nationality: __________, UAE ID No. _________), residing at __________, in a private, unregistered marriage. I take full responsibility for this acknowledgment and all legal consequences arising from it.

Witness my signature below.

Name: ____________
Signature: ____________
Date: ____________

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between a declaration of parentage and Li’an?
A declaration of parentage is when an individual acknowledges another as their child, while li’an refers to a legal process where the father denies paternity. The denial must occur within seven days of learning of the birth, unless the father has already acknowledged the child.

How is a child’s parentage proven?
A child’s parentage to the mother is confirmed once the birth is registered. For the father, parentage is proven through marriage, acknowledgment, evidence, or scientific methods if marriage is confirmed.

Contact Us to Issue and Authenticate a Declaration of Parentage in the UAE

Our office, licensed across all of the UAE, provides expert  private notary services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and beyond. With years of experience, we are equipped to assist clients with issuing and authenticating Declarations of Parentage and other personal legal documents.

For professional legal assistance in processing Declarations of Parentage or any other personal declarations, please contact us via the details on our contact page.