ADJD Wills for Expats: Eligibility, Documents and Registration
What the ADJD civil will route is
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department is the judicial authority for the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Its non-Muslim civil will service gives eligible non-Muslims a way to record and register their testamentary wishes with an official authority. For expats, the attraction is a clear, documented process with forms in English as well as Arabic.
It is one of two main routes non-Muslim expats consider, alongside the DIFC Courts Wills Service. Our starter guide compares them at a high level. This guide focuses on the ADJD process itself.
Who the route is for
The ADJD FAQ presents the civil will service as a route for non-Muslims. That is the starting condition. It is not a general option for everyone living in the UAE, and nothing in this guide should be read as saying that Muslims can use a non-Muslim civil will.
Where religious status is mixed, has changed, or is recorded differently across countries, individual specialist advice is needed before any application. The same applies where you have significant assets in several countries or family members in different legal systems. Eligibility is confirmed through the authority's own review, not by self-assessment alone.
How the process works, step by step
Based on the ADJD FAQ, the general sequence is: the testator submits a request, either personally or through a legal representative acting under a power of attorney; an ADJD employee reviews the request; the applicable fees are paid; and, subject to approval, a video appointment is arranged at which the will is dealt with. The precise steps and systems can change, so check the official FAQ at the time you apply.
In practice, most of the work happens before submission. The will text needs to say clearly who receives what, who acts as executor, and, if relevant, who you wish to care for minor children. Ambiguity at drafting stage is what causes review queries later.
Documents and information to prepare
Exact requirements are set by the ADJD and may vary by case, but you should expect to provide identification for yourself and accurate details for the people named in the will. Gathering these early avoids delays once a request is under review.
For assets, it helps to have title deed references for property, the bank and branch for accounts, and company details for shareholdings. You do not need valuations for most wills, but precise identification of assets prevents confusion. If any supporting document is in another language, ask whether a legal translation is required.
Using a representative under a power of attorney
The FAQ notes that a request can be submitted through a legal representative holding a power of attorney. This can help if you are busy, abroad, or prefer a lawyer to handle correspondence. The power of attorney must be valid for the purpose, and its formalities depend on where it is signed. Representation helps with administration but does not replace your own decisions or your participation where the authority requires it.
The video appointment
Subject to approval, the ADJD process involves a video appointment. Treat it as a formal step. Have your identification ready, use a quiet private space, test your connection and be prepared to confirm that the will reflects your wishes and that you understand it.
If you have questions about the content, resolve them before the appointment. The appointment is not the moment to renegotiate who your executor should be or to add a property you forgot.
Fees and costs to budget for
There are typically separate cost elements: the ADJD's own fees, any professional fees for advice and drafting, and possibly translation and VAT where applicable. The authority's fees are set by its current schedule, so we do not quote figures here. Ask for professional fees in writing before work starts, and check the official schedule close to your application date.
Common pitfalls
The most frequent problems are avoidable: names spelled differently from passports, executors who have not agreed to act, no backup beneficiary if a named person dies first, guardians nominated without discussing it with them, and assumptions that a will automatically covers assets abroad. Another is treating an online questionnaire as if it were the will itself. It is a drafting tool only.
Finally, remember that life changes. A will made before marriage, a new child or a move between emirates may no longer reflect your wishes. Our guide to updating a UAE will covers when to revisit it.
Before you apply
Use this list to check you are ready to begin an ADJD civil will request or a consultation about one.
Practical checklist
Points to gather or decide before you speak with a lawyer or start the questionnaire.
- Confirm you fall within the non-Muslim civil will route, taking advice if status is unclear
- Prepare identification documents for yourself
- Collect full names and details for beneficiaries, executors and guardians as they appear on passports
- Identify each UAE asset precisely: deed numbers, bank branches, company details
- Decide whether you will apply yourself or through a representative with a power of attorney
- Check the current ADJD fee schedule and whether translation is needed
- Plan a private, reliable setting for the video appointment
Ready to turn this into a will?
ADJD Will service · Mirror Wills · Make a will online
Or start the will questionnaire. The questionnaire gathers information for drafting; it is not an executed will.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone else submit my ADJD will request?
The ADJD FAQ indicates that a request can be submitted by the testator or by a legal representative under a power of attorney. The power of attorney needs to be valid for that purpose.
Are ADJD will forms available in English?
The ADJD FAQ indicates forms are available in Arabic and English. Check the current position when you apply.
Is the video appointment guaranteed?
No. The FAQ describes the appointment as subject to approval following review of the request.
How much does an ADJD will cost?
Costs combine the authority's fees, professional fees if you use a lawyer, and possibly translation and VAT. Fees change, so check the official schedule and ask for a written professional quote.
Sources and publication caution
This guide was issued on and reflects official guidance as we understood it on that date. Registries update eligibility criteria, forms, procedures and fees without notice, so check the official source or take advice before relying on any point. This is general information from Aramas International Lawyers, not legal advice on your circumstances, and it has not been reviewed against your facts.