ADJD will registration in Abu Dhabi process

Registering a will with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) provides an official record that courts, banks and other entities readily recognise, ensuring smooth estate execution; the procedure is governed by the UAE Civil Transactions Law and administered under ADJD's jurisdiction.

Related Services: Explore our Wills & Estate Planning and Real Estate Disputes services for practical legal support in this area.

WHAT IS THE ADJD WILL REGISTRATION PROCESS AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The ADJD will registration process begins with the testator preparing a will that satisfies the formal requirements of UAE law-namely, a written document signed by the testator and witnessed by two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries. Once the will is drafted, the testator (or a duly authorised representative) must appear before a notary public licensed to operate in Abu Dhabi. During that appointment the notary verifies the testator's identity using a passport and Emirates ID, confirms that the testator is of sound mind and acting voluntarily, and witnesses the signing of the will. The notary then affixes their seal and signature, thereby notarising the document.

After notarisation, the testator submits the notarised will to the ADJD's Wills and Testaments Section together with a completed application form, copies of identification documents, and the required passport-size photographs. The ADJD reviews the submission to ensure that all procedural conditions are met. If the review is satisfactory, the department registers the will in its official register and issues a registration certificate. This certificate bears a unique registration number, the date of registration, and a reference to the notarised will. It serves as prima facie evidence of the will's existence and authenticity and can be presented to courts, financial institutions, or other parties when probate or asset distribution is required.

Registering a will with the ADJD does not alter the substantive content of the testament; it merely creates an official record that simplifies later proof-of-validity steps. For expatriates and residents alike, having a registered will can reduce delays and disputes during the estate administration process.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ADJD WILL REGISTRATION?

To complete the registration, the testator must assemble a specific set of documents. The core items are:

1. Original passport and Emirates ID - These establish the testator's nationality and residency status in the UAE. Both must be current and not expired.
2. Notarised will - The will must have been notarised by a notary public authorised to practice in Abu Dhabi. The notarised copy (or the original notarised document) must display the notary's seal and signature clearly.
3. Two recent passport-size photographs - These are attached to the application file for identification purposes.
4. Completed ADJD will registration application form - The form captures the testator's personal details, the details of the witnesses, and a declaration that the will complies with UAE law. It can be filled out in Arabic or English and must be signed and dated by the testator.

If the testator is unable to appear in person because of illness, travel, or other constraints, a notarised power of attorney may be submitted. This document must expressly grant the appointed representative the authority to present the will for registration, sign the application form, and receive the registration certificate on behalf of the testator. When the power of attorney is executed outside the UAE, it must be attested by the UAE embassy or consulate in the country of execution and then stamped by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

All submitted documents must be clear, legible, and free of alterations. Any erasures, overwriting, or ambiguous markings can lead to the ADJD requesting a resubmission, which would add time to the process.

HOW LONG DOES ADJD WILL REGISTRATION TAKE AND WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE THE TIMELINE?

The ADJD's Wills and Testaments Section typically processes a complete application within three to five working days from the date of receipt. The timeline can be broken down as follows:

• Administrative review - Upon receipt, the section checks that the will meets the formal requirements of the UAE Civil Transactions Law, that the notarisation is valid, and that all supporting documents are present. This review is usually completed within one to two working days if the file is in order.
• Clarification requests - If the ADJD identifies missing information, unclear signatures, or discrepancies between the documents, it will notify the applicant (via email or SMS) and request clarification or additional documents. Each round of clarification can add one to two working days to the overall period.
• Registration and certificate issuance - Once the review is satisfactory, the will is entered into the official register and the registration certificate is prepared. This step is generally completed within the same day as the final approval.

Applicants can help keep the process within the shorter end of the range by double-checking that:

• The will is signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries.
• The witnesses have provided their full names, passport numbers, and signatures on the will.
• The notarisation includes the notary's seal, signature, and the date of notarisation.
• All copies of identification documents are legible and show the expiry dates clearly.
• The application form is fully completed, signed, and dated.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ADJD WILL REGISTRATION?

The ADJD does not publish a single, all-inclusive fee; instead, the total cost comprises several distinct charges that are set by the relevant authorities:

• Notary fee - The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's notary tariff determines the fee for notarising a will. This fee varies according to the length and complexity of the document, but it is a standard charge applied by any authorised notary public in Abu Dhabi.
• ADJD registration fee - A fixed fee is levied for entering the will into the department's official register. This charge is applied per will and is separate from the notary fee.
• Additional service fees - If the applicant requests certified copies of the registration certificate for use abroad, each copy incurs a modest fee. Translation fees apply only when the will or supporting documents need to be rendered into Arabic for official purposes; certified translation providers charge per page based on the source language and the level of certification required. Courier or delivery fees are optional and depend on the service provider chosen by the applicant.

Because the exact amounts are subject to periodic updates by the ADJD and the notary authority, applicants are advised to verify the current fee schedule directly with the department or their chosen notary before initiating the process.

CAN A NON-MUSLIM EXPATRIATE REGISTER A WILL WITH THE ADJD?

Yes. The UAE Civil Transactions Law expressly permits non-Muslim expatriates to dispose of their assets according to the law of their home country, provided the will does not contravene UAE public policy. The ADJD does not impose any religious restriction on will registration; the decisive factors are the testator's legal capacity, the proper notarisation of the document, and compliance with the formalities of writing, signing, and witnessing.

In practice, many expatriates choose to register their wills with the ADJD to obtain a locally recognised record that can be presented to UAE courts or financial institutions when probate is required. The registration certificate does not govern the substantive law that will apply to the estate- that is determined by the choice-of-law provisions in the will or, absent such provisions, by the UAE's default rules-but it does provide proof that the document exists and was executed in accordance with UAE procedural requirements.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TESTATOR DIES BEFORE THE WILL IS REGISTERED?

If the testator passes away before completing the ADJD registration, the notarised will remains legally valid as long as it satisfies the formalities required by the UAE Civil Transactions Law. In such a scenario, the executor, a legal heir, or any other interested party may apply for posthumous registration. The application must include:

• The original notarised will.
• The testator's death certificate (issued by the relevant UAE authority or, if the death occurred abroad, a duly attested foreign death certificate).
• The testator's passport and Emirates ID (or copies thereof).
• A completed ADJD will registration application form, signed by the applicant acting on behalf of the estate.

The ADJD follows the same review steps as for a living testator. Once satisfied, the department registers the will and issues a registration certificate that confirms the document's validity for probate purposes. This certificate can then be presented to the UAE courts overseeing the estate, facilitating the issuance of a succession certificate or the execution of the will's terms.

HOW CAN A REGISTERED WILL BE AMENDED OR REVOKED?

Amending or revoking a will that has already been registered with the ADJD follows the same substantive rules that apply to any will under UAE law, but the procedural steps differ slightly because the existing registration must be addressed.

Amendment (codicil) - If the testator wishes to make minor changes, they may execute a codicil that complies with the formal requirements (written, signed, witnessed). The codicil must be notarised and then submitted to the ADJD for registration as a separate document. The original will remains in the register; the codicil is added as an annex, and the registration certificate is updated to reflect the existence of both instruments.

Revocation - A will can be revoked by:

1. Executing a new will that expressly states that it revokes all prior wills and testaments. The new will must be notarised and registered with the ADJD. Upon registration, the ADJD will note the supersession of the earlier will in its records.
2. Physical destruction of the original will with the intention to revoke it, provided the act is performed by the testator or someone acting under their clear direction. In this case, the testator should notify the ADJD in writing, submit a notarised statement of revocation, and request that the original registration be cancelled. The ADJD will then update the register to indicate that the will is no longer in effect.

In both scenarios, it is advisable to retain copies of all documents and to obtain updated registration certificates from the ADJD to avoid any confusion during estate administration.

WHAT ROLE DO WITNESSES PLAY IN THE ADJD WILL REGISTRATION PROCESS?

Witnesses are a critical component of a valid will under UAE law. The Civil Transactions Law requires that a will be signed by the testator in the presence of two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries, spouses, or close relatives of the testator. Their function is to attest that the testator signed the document voluntarily and appeared to be of sound mind at the time of signing.

When preparing the will for ADJD registration, the testator must ensure that:

• Each witness provides their full name, passport number, Emirates ID number (if applicable), and signature on the will.
• The witnesses are present at the same time as the testator when the signing occurs; remote or sequential signing does not satisfy the legal requirement.
• The witnesses are not named as beneficiaries in the will, as this could lead to a challenge of the will's validity on grounds of conflict of interest.

After the will is notarised, the notary public will also record the witnesses' details in the notarial act. The ADJD's review includes a check that the witnesses' information matches the identification documents submitted with the application. Any discrepancy-such as a mismatched passport number or a missing signature-can trigger a request for clarification or resubmission.

IN WHAT LANGUAGE MUST THE WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR ADJD REGISTRATION?

The ADJD accepts wills drafted in either Arabic or English. If the testator prefers to prepare the will in another language (for example, French, Urdu, or Hindi), a certified translation into Arabic must accompany the original document. The translation must be performed by a translator authorised by the UAE Ministry of Justice or a recognised translation service, and it must include a statement attesting to its accuracy and completeness.

It is important to note that, while the ADJD will register the translated version for procedural purposes, the Arabic text of UAE legislation as published in the Official Gazette prevails over any translation in case of interpretive disputes. Consequently, the translated Arabic version should faithfully reflect the testator's intentions as expressed in the original language, and the testator may wish to have a legal professional review both the original and the translation to ensure consistency.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING ADJD WILL REGISTRATION

• Prepare a legally compliant will - written, signed, and witnessed by two non-beneficiary adults.
• Have the will notarised by an Abu Dhabi-licensed notary public before approaching the ADJD.
• Assemble the required documents - passport, Emirates ID, photographs, completed application form, and, if needed, a notarised power of attorney.
• Submit the package to the ADJD's Wills and Testaments Section and expect a processing time of three to five working days, provided the file is complete.
• Be aware of the fee structure - notary charges, ADJD registration fee, and optional costs for copies, translation, or courier services.
• Understand that registration does not change the substantive law governing the estate; it merely creates an official record that simplifies proof-of-validity.
• Know the options for amendment, revocation, and posthumous registration to keep the testament up to date with changing circumstances.

By following these steps and maintaining clear, accurate documentation, testators can secure a registered will that stands up to scrutiny in UAE courts and facilitates a smoother estate administration process for their heirs.

This overview is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice for any particular situation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of registering a will with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)?

Registering a will with the ADJD creates an official record that courts, banks and other entities readily recognise, serving as prima facie evidence of the will's existence and authenticity and simplifying later proof-of-validity steps during estate administration.

What are the formal requirements for a will to be eligible for ADJD registration?

The will must be a written document signed by the testator and witnessed by two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries, and it must be notarised by a notary public authorised to operate in Abu Dhabi, with the notary verifying the testator's identity, sound mind and voluntary consent.

Which documents must be submitted to the ADJD for will registration?

Applicants need the original passport and Emirates ID, the notarised will, two recent passport-size photographs, and a completed ADJD will registration application form; if the testator cannot appear, a notarised power of attorney (attested and stamped if executed abroad) may be submitted instead.

How long does the ADJD will registration process usually take?

The ADJD's Wills and Testaments Section typically processes a complete application within three to five working days, consisting of an administrative review (one to two days), possible clarification requests (adding one to two days per round), and final registration and certificate issuance on the same day as approval.

What costs are involved in registering a will with the ADJD?

Costs include a notary fee for notarising the will (based on length and complexity), a fixed ADJD registration fee for entering the will into the official register, and optional fees for certified copies, translations, or courier services; applicants should verify the current fee schedule with the ADJD or their notary.

If your matter involves adjd will registration in the United Arab Emirates, you are welcome to request a consultation with Nour Attorneys. Our team can assess your position under the law currently in force and outline the options available to you. Request a consultation

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article or contacting Nour Attorneys through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship; such a relationship arises only after a conflicts-of-interest check and a signed engagement agreement. Do not send confidential information through this website; information submitted before engagement is not protected by legal privilege. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. The firm's lawyers practice in the jurisdictions stated in their individual profiles; this article addresses the law of the United Arab Emirates only.