ADJD Will Registration: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

What Is ADJD Will Registration?

ADJD registration is administered by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department but is not limited to Abu Dhabi residents. Any UAE resident can register an ADJD will regardless of which emirate they live in, and the registered will is enforceable nationwide under federal law.

Who Can Register a Will with ADJD?

Non-Muslim Residents

Any non-Muslim resident of the UAE can register an ADJD will. This includes expatriates of all nationalities holding a valid UAE residence visa. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, non-Muslim residents have full testamentary freedom — you can distribute your assets exactly as you wish and appoint guardians for your minor children.

Muslim Expatriates

ADJD also allows non-GCC Muslim expatriates to register civil wills, giving them the ability to opt out of Sharia inheritance rules. This is a significant distinction from the Dubai Courts, where Muslim expatriates must adhere to Sharia law for estate distribution.

Which Emirates It Covers

ADJD-registered wills are valid across all seven UAE emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. This nationwide validity comes from Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Personal Status for Non-Muslims, which gives ADJD wills federal-level legal standing regardless of where your assets are located.

Note that enforcing an ADJD will for Dubai-based assets may require a deputisation process through the Dubai Courts. For residents whose assets are primarily in Dubai and who want direct enforcement, a DIFC will may be worth considering — though it costs significantly more.

Complete ADJD Registration Process (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Draft Your Will

Create your will using blanket.ae's guided online process (takes under 30 minutes) or with an independent lawyer. With blanket.ae, you answer questions about your assets, beneficiaries, guardianship preferences, and executor appointment. The platform generates a legally compliant will based on your answers.

Your will should cover all assets you hold in the UAE — property, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, and digital assets. See the template section below for a complete outline of what to include.

Step 2: Arabic Translation

Your will must be submitted in both English and Arabic. The Arabic version is the legally binding document — the English version serves as your reference copy.

With blanket.ae, Arabic translation by a certified translator is included at no extra cost. If you are using an independent lawyer, you will need to arrange translation separately through a Ministry of Justice-certified translator, which typically costs AED 300–500.

Step 3: Access the ADJD Online Portal

Navigate to the ADJD e-services portal. You will need your UAE Pass or ADJD account credentials to log in. The portal is available 24/7, and the entire submission process is completed online — no in-person visit is required.

Step 4: Upload Documents

Upload your signed will (in both English and Arabic) along with supporting documents:

• Valid passport (copy)
• Emirates ID (copy)

Step 5: Receive Initial Approval and Pay

ADJD reviews your submission and issues initial approval within 1–2 business days. You will receive notification through the portal. Once approved, you pay the government registration fee: AED 950 for a single will or AED 1,900 for mirror wills (couples).

Step 6: Complete Notary Video Appointment

A notary video appointment is scheduled to finalise the registration. During this appointment, you confirm your identity and the contents of your will. Once completed, your will is officially registered and legally enforceable across all seven UAE emirates.

For a broader overview of all registration options in Dubai (including DIFC Courts), see our will registration guide.

ADJD Will Template: What Your Will Should Include

A comprehensive ADJD will should cover the following sections. This outline is designed as a reference — blanket.ae's guided process covers all of these areas automatically.

Personal Information

• Full legal name (as it appears on your passport)
• Nationality and passport number
• Emirates ID number
• UAE residential address
• Date of birth
• Religion (relevant for determining applicable inheritance law)

Asset Distribution

Most wills use a catch-all clause that covers all of your UAE-based assets — you name your beneficiaries and their percentage shares, and the clause ensures nothing is missed. This is the approach blanket.ae uses by default.

If you wish, you can also make specific gifts of individual assets (for example, a particular property to a specific person).

Guardianship Provisions (optional)

If you have minor children (under 18), you can appoint:

• Primary guardian(s) — who will care for your children long-term
• Interim guardian(s) — who will care for your children immediately until the primary guardian can take over
• Guardianship preferences — religious upbringing, education, country of residence

Executor Appointment

Name the person who will carry out the terms of your will:

• Primary executor — responsible for distributing your assets
• Alternate executor — in case the primary is unable to serve
• Executor powers — scope of authority granted

Digital Assets (optional)

You can specify how your digital assets should be handled, including cryptocurrency wallets, online investment platforms, social media accounts, and email accounts.

Funeral and Burial Wishes (optional)

You may include preferences for burial or cremation, repatriation to your home country, or any specific religious or cultural requirements.

Registration Costs

For a full cost comparison with DIFC wills and traditional law firms, see our ADJD will guide.

Documents Required

You will need the following documents to register your ADJD will:

• Valid passport — a clear copy of the biographical page
• Emirates ID — a copy of both sides
• Signed will — a bilingual English/Arabic document (blanket.ae provides this)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does ADJD will registration cost?

The ADJD government registration fee is AED 950 for a single will or AED 1,900 for mirror wills (couples). With blanket.ae, the total cost including drafting and Arabic translation starts from AED 1,749.

How long does ADJD will registration take?

ADJD issues initial approval within 1–2 business days of submission. A notary video appointment is then scheduled to finalise the registration. The drafting process with blanket.ae takes under 30 minutes.

Can I register an ADJD will if I live in Dubai?

Yes. ADJD wills are available to all UAE residents regardless of which emirate they live in. Your registered will is valid and enforceable across all seven emirates under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022.

What should my ADJD will include?

A comprehensive ADJD will should cover: personal identification, asset distribution (property, bank accounts, investments, vehicles), guardianship provisions for minor children, executor appointment, digital assets, and funeral wishes. blanket.ae's guided process covers all of these sections.

Do I need a lawyer to register with ADJD?

No. blanket.ae provides a lawyer-designed guided process that requires no legal consultation. Your will is drafted based on your answers, translated to Arabic, and you receive full support for the ADJD portal submission.

Is an ADJD will valid in Dubai?

Yes. ADJD wills are valid across all seven UAE emirates under federal law. For Dubai-based assets, enforcement may require a deputisation process through the Dubai Courts — an administrative step that does not affect the will's legal validity.

Can Muslim expatriates register an ADJD will?

Yes. ADJD allows non-GCC Muslim expatriates to register civil wills, giving them the option to opt out of Sharia inheritance rules for their estate distribution. This is distinct from the Dubai Courts, where Muslim expatriates must follow Sharia law.

What happens if I don't register a will in the UAE?

Without a registered will, you lose control over how your assets are distributed and who is appointed as guardian for your children. If you have no identifiable heirs, your UAE assets are frozen and may ultimately be transferred to a state-managed Waqf under Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024.