If you are a non-Muslim living in, working in, or holding assets in Dubai, making a will is worth dealing with before it becomes urgent. Wills Registration Non Muslims Dubai gives you a formal route for recording your wishes about your estate and, where the chosen will allows it, arrangements for minor children.
Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 provides for registers of non-Muslim wills at Dubai Courts and the DIFC Courts. It also sets conditions for a valid registered will, including the testator’s status, execution of the document, witnesses and appointment of an executor.
The DIFC Courts Wills Service is one of the main routes used by non-Muslims. It has different will types, so the choice is not just about filling in a form. Your property, bank accounts, company interests, children and wider family circumstances can all affect which option makes sense.
What Is Will Registration in Dubai?
Will registration is the process of formally recording a will with the authority responsible for the chosen registry. For a non-Muslim in Dubai, that matters because the registered document sits within a recognised court and probate framework rather than simply remaining as a private paper.
The DIFC Courts Wills Service offers a dedicated process for eligible non-Muslims. Depending on the will type, it can deal with assets and guardianship arrangements. The service also has procedures for virtual registration for eligible applicants.
Writing a will yourself and registering it are two different things. If you want a registered will, the document still has to meet the applicable requirements and go through the registration process.
Who Can Register a Will as a Non-Muslim?
For a DIFC Courts Will, the current guidance says the testator must be a non-Muslim aged 18 or over and must own assets in the UAE and/or have minor children residing with them in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah. You do not have to be a UAE resident to use the DIFC Wills Service.
Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 also sets out requirements for non-Muslim wills. These include non-Muslim status, a valid will, an appointed executor and proper execution in the presence of two witnesses.
Eligibility is not something to guess at. The requirements can depend on the registry and the type of will you choose, so check the current rules before signing a final document.
Which Will Should You Register?
The DIFC Courts Wills Service has several options. The simplest way to choose is to start with what you actually need the will to cover, rather than choosing a will type by name.
1. Full Will
A Full Will is the broad option. It can cover movable and immovable assets and can also include guardianship provisions for minor children living in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, subject to the applicable rules.
The DIFC Courts currently lists AED 10,000 for a single Full Will and AED 15,000 for Mirror Wills. A separate booking fee may also apply under the current fee schedule.
2. Guardianship Will
A Guardianship Will is focused on arrangements for minor children. It may be useful when guardianship is the main concern and a wider asset-based will is not what you need.
3. Property Will
A Property Will is aimed at UAE real estate. The DIFC Courts currently says it can cover up to five UAE real estate properties, or shares in up to five such properties.
4. Business Owners Will
A Business Owners Will is for qualifying interests in UAE companies. The DIFC Courts currently describes this option as covering up to five company shareholdings.
5. Financial Assets Will
A Financial Assets Will is aimed at qualifying bank and brokerage accounts held through eligible UAE-regulated institutions. The current DIFC Courts guidance allows up to ten separate accounts or shares in up to ten accounts.
6. Digital Assets Will
The DIFC Courts also has a Digital Assets Will. Its current service information provides a separate online process for supported digital assets. The exact scope should be checked before relying on this option for a particular holding.
How to Register a Will in Dubai
The process is fairly straightforward once you know which will you need. The main work happens before the appointment: decide what you want covered, choose the right format, gather the information, and then complete the registration requirements.
Step 1: Start with an asset list
Include Dubai property, bank accounts, investments, company interests and digital assets. If you have children, note any guardianship arrangements you want to make.
Step 2: Pick the will type that matches your estate
A Full Will is broader, while Property, Business Owners and Financial Assets Wills focus on specific categories.
Step 3: Prepare the will using the permitted format
If you want professional drafting help, the DIFC Courts Wills Service maintains a list of approved Wills Draftsmen.
Step 4: Gather the supporting information before the appointment
For a Full Will, the DIFC Courts FAQ refers to documents such as a passport, Emirates ID where applicable, witness passport copies and guardianship statements where relevant.
Step 5: Book the appointment and pay the applicable fee
Some DIFC will types are available through the Virtual Registry.
Step 6: Complete the signing formalities with the required witnesses
The DIFC Courts uses electronic signatures and allows virtual registration for eligible services.
Do not put the will in a drawer and forget about it. Marriage, divorce, a new child, a major property purchase or a change in beneficiaries can all be reasons to review it.
Documents Usually Needed for Will Registration
The paperwork depends on the will type. For a Full Will, the current DIFC Courts guidance can require identity documents, witness details and guardianship documents where applicable.
- A valid passport
- Emirates ID, if applicable
- Passport copies for the chosen witnesses
- Details of executors and beneficiaries
- Signed guardianship statements if guardians are appointed
- Details of the assets covered by the selected will type
- Any other information requested by the Wills Service during pre-registration checks
- This is a general guide, not a fixed document list. The registry can ask for further information depending on the will type and the applicant’s circumstances.
How Much Does Will Registration Cost in Dubai?
There is no single price for will registration. The current DIFC Courts fees depend on the type of will and whether you register a single will or Mirror Wills. A single Full Will is listed at AED 10,000, while Mirror Wills are listed at AED 15,000. A single Property Will is AED 7,500 and Mirror Wills are AED 10,000. Business Owners, Financial Assets and Digital Assets Wills are listed at AED 5,000 for a single will and AED 7,500 for Mirror Wills.
If you use a registered Wills Draftsman or lawyer, their professional fee is separate from the court registration fee. Fees and procedures can change, so check the official schedule before making payment.
For the current official fee schedule, see the DIFC Courts Schedule of Fees.
Dubai Courts or DIFC Courts: Which Route?
Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 provides for non-Muslim wills registers at both Dubai Courts and the DIFC Courts. That gives non-Muslims more than one possible route, but the best route depends on the estate and the result you need.
The DIFC option has a dedicated Wills Service, specific will types and a probate framework. Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025 also clarified the DIFC Courts’ role in matters involving non-Muslim wills registered with the DIFC Courts, including enforcement of those wills beyond the DIFC.
There is no universal answer to ‘Dubai Courts or DIFC Courts?’ Look at where the assets are, what you want the will to cover, your family situation and any cross-border issues before deciding.
Why Register a Will Instead of Keeping One at Home?
A will kept at home may show what you wanted, but registration gives the document a formal place within the applicable legal and probate process. That can make things clearer when an estate has to be dealt with after death.
It can also give the executor a clearer starting point. Instead of relatives searching for documents and trying to work out which version should be used, the registered will provides an official record to work from.
For parents, this can be especially important. If you have minor children, making your guardianship wishes clear in the appropriate will can prevent an already difficult situation from becoming even more uncertain.
Can You Register a Will Online?
Yes, for eligible DIFC Courts Wills. The Wills Service says that some registrations can be completed virtually, and several will types have online processes.
That convenience does not change the underlying requirements. You still need the right will, accurate information, the required witnesses and completion of the registration formalities.
What Happens If You Do Not Register a Will?
There is no single outcome for every estate. The applicable rules depend on the person’s circumstances, the assets involved and the legal framework that applies. Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 provides a specific framework for non-Muslim wills in Dubai.
The bigger problem is often uncertainty. Without clear estate planning, family members may have to identify assets, deal with banks and property authorities, establish the applicable legal process and handle probate or other court steps at a difficult time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a generic foreign will without checking how it interacts with UAE assets.
- Choosing a will type without first listing the assets that need protection.
- Leaving out an executor or providing unclear instructions.
- Ignoring guardianship planning when there are minor children.
- Assuming the registration fee is the total cost when legal drafting is also required.
- Failing to update the will after major family or asset changes.
- Assuming a will automatically resolves every cross-border inheritance issue.
- Relying on old articles for current fees or procedures.
How Professional Support Can Help
Will registration can involve identity documents, government procedures and other paperwork. If you need help with related UAE administrative work, attestations or document handling, BSE can assist with services that sit alongside the legal process.
You can review the PRO Services for government-document support, or the Document Clearance Services page for related document handling.
Administrative help is not a substitute for legal advice. If your estate crosses borders, involves complex ownership or may lead to a dispute, speak with a qualified legal professional before relying on a particular will structure.
A Simple Checklist Before You Register
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility rules for the chosen registry.
- List your UAE property, bank accounts, investments and business interests.
- Decide who should receive each major asset or the residue of the estate.
- Choose an executor who can realistically administer the estate.
- If you have minor children, decide who you want to nominate as guardians.
- Check whether a Full Will or a limited will type is appropriate.
- Review current registration fees and booking requirements.
- Prepare identity documents and witness details.
- Consider legal advice if your estate includes multiple countries, complex ownership or family concerns.
- Keep the registered will under review as your circumstances change.
Before You Move to the FAQ
Estate planning can sit alongside other UAE personal and business arrangements. If you are also reviewing long-term residency options, you can explore our Golden Visa options through Golden Visa for Property Investors. If your wider needs include government paperwork, immigration processing or company administration, you can also review PRO Services in Dubai. These are separate services from will registration, so eligibility and procedures should be checked for the specific service you need.
FAQs About Wills Registration Non Muslims Dubai
Q1. Can a non-Muslim register a will in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 provides for non-Muslim wills registers at Dubai Courts and the DIFC Courts. The DIFC Courts also has its own Wills Service for eligible non-Muslims.
Q2. Do I need to live in Dubai to register a DIFC Will?
Not necessarily. The DIFC Courts says UAE residence is not required for a DIFC Courts Will. You still need to meet the requirements for the relevant will type.
Q3. How much does a Full Will cost at the DIFC Courts?
The current DIFC Courts fee for a single Full Will is AED 10,000, while Mirror Wills are AED 15,000. Drafting or legal fees can be additional.
Q4. Can a will include guardianship for children?
Yes, where the relevant will type and rules allow it. The DIFC Courts Full Will can include guardianship provisions for minor children living in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, and there is also a Guardianship Will.
Q5. Should I use a lawyer to prepare my will?
It depends on your circumstances. A straightforward case may use an approved template, while a cross-border estate, complex ownership or family situation can benefit from professional legal advice.
Conclusion
Wills Registration Non Muslims Dubai is ultimately about making your wishes easier to follow when your family may need clarity most. The registration route you choose, the assets you include and the people you appoint all matter.
A good place to start is with a simple asset list. Write down your UAE property, bank and investment accounts, company interests and other assets you want covered. Then think about your executor, beneficiaries and, if you have children, your guardianship wishes.
The DIFC Courts Wills Service offers Full, Guardianship, Property, Business Owners, Financial Assets and Digital Assets Wills. The right one depends on what you own and what you want the document to do. Current fees also vary by will type, so check the official schedule rather than relying on an old article or quotation.
The legal framework is also worth checking before you sign. Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 provides the main Dubai framework for non-Muslim wills, while Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025 clarified aspects of the DIFC Courts’ jurisdiction over registered non-Muslim wills.
If you need help with related UAE paperwork or administrative services, Business Setup Experts can help with the relevant support. For the legal drafting or interpretation of a will, however, use the appropriate legal professional or registry guidance.
Contact the Business Setup Consultants team to discuss the service you need. For legal advice on the validity, drafting or interpretation of a will, use a qualified legal professional or the relevant official registry
