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Affidavit Of Cohabitation Template for the United Arab Emirates

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What is a Affidavit Of Cohabitation?

The Affidavit of Cohabitation has gained significant importance in the United Arab Emirates following the 2020-2021 legal reforms that decriminalized cohabitation between unmarried couples. This document is typically required when individuals need to formally declare their living arrangement for various purposes such as visa applications, housing contracts, or other administrative requirements. The affidavit includes detailed information about the cohabitants, their relationship status, shared residence details, and the purpose of the declaration. It must be executed in accordance with UAE federal laws and typically requires notarization to be legally valid. The document has become particularly relevant for the expatriate community in the UAE and is often required by various government departments, financial institutions, and property management companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Affidavit of Cohabitation legally binding in the United Arab Emirates?

Yes, an Affidavit of Cohabitation is legally binding in the UAE following Federal Decree Law No. 15 of 2020, which decriminalized cohabitation between unmarried couples. The document must be properly notarized and executed according to UAE legal requirements to maintain its legal validity. It serves as formal legal proof of your living arrangement for various administrative and legal purposes.

How long does it take to prepare and notarize an Affidavit of Cohabitation in the UAE?

Preparing the affidavit typically takes 1-2 days, while notarization can be completed the same day once you visit an authorized UAE notary public with proper identification and documentation. The entire process usually takes 2-5 business days depending on document preparation time and notary availability. Ensure both parties are present during notarization with valid Emirates ID or passport.

Can banks reject my application if my Affidavit of Cohabitation is incomplete or missing information?

Yes, UAE banks and financial institutions can reject applications if your Affidavit of Cohabitation lacks required information such as complete addresses, duration of cohabitation, or proper notarization. Missing signatures, incorrect dates, or unsigned declarations commonly cause rejections. Ensure the document includes all personal details, relationship duration, and current residence information before submission.

How is an Affidavit of Cohabitation different from a marriage certificate in the UAE?

An Affidavit of Cohabitation declares unmarried cohabitation status under Federal Decree Law No. 15 of 2020, while a marriage certificate establishes legal marriage under UAE Personal Status Law No. 28 of 2005. The affidavit provides limited legal recognition for administrative purposes like housing and banking, whereas marriage certificates grant full spousal rights including inheritance, medical decisions, and family visa sponsorship.

Which UAE authorities require notarization for an Affidavit of Cohabitation?

UAE notary publics authorized under the Ministry of Justice must notarize Affidavits of Cohabitation for legal validity. Dubai Courts, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department notaries, and other emirate-specific notarization centers are acceptable. Private notaries or international notarization typically won't meet UAE legal requirements for local administrative purposes.

Can my UAE residence visa be affected if I don't have an Affidavit of Cohabitation?

While not having an Affidavit of Cohabitation won't directly affect existing residence visas, it may impact housing contract approvals, joint banking applications, or dependent visa applications where proof of relationship is required. Some emirates may request this documentation for housing registration under Federal Decree Law No. 15 of 2020. Check with your specific emirate's housing authorities for current requirements.

What mistakes do people commonly make when completing an Affidavit of Cohabitation in the UAE?

Common mistakes include using incorrect legal names that don't match Emirates ID, providing incomplete residential addresses, failing to include relationship start dates, and signing before notarization. Many people also forget to bring required identification documents or attempt to notarize without both parties present, which UAE notaries typically require under current procedures.

Reviewed by

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

A lawyer, legal researcher and legal tech founder, Swetha has built AI products deployed inside Tier 1 firms and enterprises. She ensures GenieAI's alignment with the latest regulation and executes testing on the legal robustness of Genie output.

Reviewed by

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

A Skadden-trained M&A lawyer, Imad advised on cross-border transactions and contractual risk before moving into legal AI. He reviews GenieAI's output for compliance and enforceability across our 150+ supported jurisdictions, as well as facilitating external benchmarking.

Reviewed by

&

Publisher

GenieAI

Category

Affidavit

Sector

Business

Cost

Free to use

Last updated

About the Affidavit Of Cohabitation

An Affidavit of Cohabitation is a sworn legal statement that formally declares your living arrangement with an unmarried partner in the United Arab Emirates. Following the landmark 2020 legal reforms under UAE Federal Decree Law No. 15, cohabitation between unmarried couples was decriminalized, making this document increasingly important for various official purposes. You use this affidavit to provide legal proof of your shared living arrangement to government departments, financial institutions, property managers, and other entities requiring formal documentation of your relationship status.

When do you need this document?

You'll need an Affidavit of Cohabitation when applying for residence visas, particularly for dependent or partner visas where your relationship status affects eligibility. Banks and financial institutions often require this document when opening joint accounts, applying for mortgages, or accessing certain financial products. Property management companies and landlords may request it for tenancy agreements, especially for long-term leases or when both parties need to be named on the contract. Insurance companies frequently require this affidavit for health insurance coverage, life insurance beneficiaries, or when adding a partner to existing policies. Additionally, you may need it for school enrollment of children, embassy services, or when dealing with inheritance matters.

Key legal considerations

Your affidavit must include specific mandatory information including full legal names, nationalities, passport numbers, and current residential addresses of both parties. You must clearly state the nature and duration of your cohabitation, providing specific details about your shared residence including the complete address and how long you've been living together. The document requires a clear declaration of the purpose for which the affidavit is being created, whether for visa applications, banking, or other specific needs. Both parties must sign the affidavit in the presence of authorized witnesses or a notary public, and false declarations can result in serious legal consequences including criminal liability. You should also be aware that while cohabitation is decriminalized, certain traditional family law principles still apply in the UAE legal system.

Legal requirements in United Arab Emirates

Under UAE law, your Affidavit of Cohabitation must be notarized by an authorized notary public in accordance with UAE Federal Law No. 4 of 2013. The document must be drafted in Arabic or accompanied by a certified Arabic translation, as Arabic is the official language for legal documents in the UAE. You must ensure compliance with UAE Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 (Civil Transactions Law) regarding the format and enforceability of legal declarations. The affidavit typically requires attestation by the UAE Ministry of Justice and may need additional authentication by relevant embassies or consulates depending on its intended use. Both parties must present valid identification documents, and the notarization process requires physical presence of all signatories. Some emirates may have additional local requirements, so you should verify specific procedural requirements with local authorities in your jurisdiction.

GOVERNING LAW

Applicable law

This Affidavit Of Cohabitation is drafted to comply with United Arab Emirates law. Key legislation includes:






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