You need to be aware of the laws, rights and services available to mums-to-be in the UAE when you fall pregnant.  One thing that it is very important to be aware of is that a woman should be married if they become pregnant in the UAE, because giving birth out of wedlock is a crime in the UAE. Under the Sharia Law, applicable in the UAE, marriage is the single legal bond if you want to establish a relationship and have children.

If you are unmarried and pregnant, you should get married before the baby is born. Expatriate unmarried expectant mothers should return to their home countries for the delivery. Most likely the hospital or the clinic you go to for your check-ups, will ask to see an original marriage certificate along with copies of your passport and visa.

To get married in the UAE is not that complicated as long as you and your partner meet the requirements and conditions set by the government.
You will find most of the information you need here.

Where to get married
Where you can get married depends on your religion and of course what kind of ceremony you want. The Sharia Court in Dubai performs marriages as per Islamic law, if the groom is a Muslim. If you are an expatriate resident couple who is not Muslim, you can choose to get married in a church (Christians), a temple (Hindus) or a consulate or embassy. It is important to remember that your marriage needs to be registered and attested either in the country of your origin or at your respective consulate or embassy. For non-Muslims, marriage laws applicable in their home countries will be applied.

Divorcees intending to marry must show adequate proof of their divorced status before proceeding further.

In case of court marriage, Dubai Courts have an online service for marriage applicants, where registration can be completed on their online portal eZawaj.
You find the portal here.

Important notes for expatriate marriages
If you are an expatriate you will need a valid residence visa. If the bride is here on a visit visa, most likely the residence visa of the groom will be enough to complete the marriage process, (but always check the laws are up-to-date). You then need to present a medical report of the bride, which can be obtained from a government clinic or hospital.

Remember that papers that are issued abroad must be approved by the Foreign Ministry in the UAE. Very often, papers in a language other than Arabic, require a translation endorsed by the Ministry of Justice. Once again, you have to make sure that you register your marriage in your home country or your consulate or embassy.

Other articles from Pregnant in Dubai
• Maternity Leave in Dubai
• Pregnant in Dubai and Health Insurance Coverage

Article courtesy of Pregnant in Dubai.