Getting married via app: Abu Dhabi is revolutionizing the wedding process!

Getting married via app: Abu Dhabi is revolutionizing the wedding process!

In the United Arab Emirates, couples can now get married easily and conveniently via a mobile app. The service, which is offered through Abu Dhabi's state-run platform Tamm, allows people to get married online for around $218 (800 dirhams). Not only UAE citizens and residents are eligible, but also foreigners who have a lawyer or legal representative in the country. This innovative solution was launched as part of the Gitex technology exhibition in Dubai and is monitored by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, providing additional security and transparency.

Tamm app users can fill out various forms and submit all required documents without having to be physically present. This means weddings can be conducted from anywhere in the world. After the required documents are provided, the ceremony can be organized within 24 hours. The entire certification of the wedding process is carried out digitally.

Efficiency and accessibility of the digital wedding

Mohammed Al-Askar, General Director of the Tamm platform, announced that over 200 new services will be added in 2025. Another advantage of this digital wedding is the ability to hold the ceremony via a secure WebEx platform. Witnesses, the registrar and the couple or their legal representatives can dial in via video call. This allows family and friends to take part in the ceremony even from a distance.

To expedite the process, a fee of 300 dirhams (approximately $80) will be charged for direct processing through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The digital wedding certificates handed out are different from traditional certificates and receive a digital signature instead of the usual physical stamps. Legal advisor Boqor Ghanem ensures that electronic marriage is legally recognized as long as it is approved by an official authority.

Still, there are concerns about the impact of digital weddings on traditional customs and societal norms. Against this background, it is important to mention that, according to German law, a marriage in Germany is only valid if it takes place in person. A ruling by the Düsseldorf Administrative Court has confirmed that a marriage concluded online, even if it is socially recognized, is not legally valid in Germany. This goes against the new trend in the UAE and highlights different approaches to marriage around the world.

The Tamm app is designed to not only simplify the wedding process but also make general life in Abu Dhabi more enjoyable. It additionally plans to introduce features that include credit report checking and other financial services. With this offer, the government aims to provide significant added value to the citizens and visitors of the Emirates.

Overall, the development in the UAE represents a significant step towards digitalization of services. Although other countries such as Germany have a different legal framework, the success of such digital marriages in the UAE could potentially help similar services become more popular worldwide.