Guide
ADJD Will Registration: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Written by Anton PirinenFounder & CEO of BlanketKey Takeaways
- ADJD publishes a standard registration fee of AED 950 per will; this government fee is paid separately from document-preparation fees
- The application is submitted online, reviewed by ADJD, and completed through a video-conference notarisation appointment booked according to registry availability
- ADJD provides official will templates in Arabic and English; confirm the current filing-language and document requirements in the ADJD portal
- ADJD states that a person who is not a UAE citizen may register a civil will regardless of religion
- Blanket's assessment usually takes 10–15 minutes; after payment, a specialist reviews the answers and prepares the selected documents
What Is ADJD Will Registration?
ADJD will registration is the process of submitting a civil will to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) for review and notarisation. Registration creates the official ADJD record used in its civil-will process. How a will is recognised or enforced can depend on the assets, their location, the competent court, and the law that applies to the estate.
ADJD's Civil Wills FAQ describes an online application followed by review, fee payment, and a video-conference appointment. Its Civil Family Court guidance also publishes the current templates, eligibility statement, and court fees.
This guide explains the public ADJD process and Blanket's document-preparation workflow. It is general information, not legal advice. Cross-border estates, business interests, trusts, contested family circumstances, and uncertainty about applicable law are good reasons to consult a licensed lawyer.
Who Can Register a Will with ADJD?
ADJD states that a person who is not a UAE citizen may register a civil will regardless of religion. Blanket's standard ADJD service is designed for UAE residents.
Eligibility should not be confused with the legal effect of a will in every possible situation. Religion, nationality, family circumstances, an express choice of law, and the location of an asset can affect the rules applied to an estate. Check the current ADJD requirements and obtain individual advice if those questions matter to you.
Can a Dubai resident use ADJD?
Yes. A Dubai resident can apply through ADJD's online civil-will process. Registration is administered in Abu Dhabi, while the steps needed later to recognise or enforce the will may depend on where each asset is held and which court is competent.
Eligible non-Muslims can also use the ADGM Courts Notary Public and Wills Office, a fully digital notary channel operated with ADJD. It is not a separate probate registry: ADGM charges USD 155 in addition to the AED 950 ADJD fee per will, and its official guidance directs later UAE probate applications to ADJD. Blanket supports both routes. For the wider comparison, see our guide to will registration in Dubai.
ADJD Will Registration Process
Step 1: Complete the assessment and prepare the draft
Blanket's online assessment asks about your family, intended beneficiaries, executors, guardianship nominations, and assets. Most customers complete it in around 10–15 minutes.
After payment, a Blanket specialist reviews the answers and prepares the selected documents. Blanket is a technology platform, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. If your circumstances require legal advice, use a licensed lawyer before signing or submitting the will.
Step 2: Check the current ADJD language requirements
ADJD makes its standard civil-will template available in Arabic and English. Blanket arranges Arabic translation where it is required for the selected filing. Confirm the current language requirements in the ADJD portal rather than assuming that every application follows the same bilingual format.
Step 3: Submit the application online
Submit the application and the documents requested by the current ADJD e-service. The official ADJD FAQ says the application may be submitted by the testator or by a representative acting under a power of attorney.
The live portal is the source of truth for required documents. Have your current identity documents and any supporting records requested for your application ready, but do not rely on a generic checklist in place of the portal instructions.
Step 4: ADJD reviews the application
An ADJD employee reviews the submission. The registry may request clarification or corrections before approving the application for the next step. ADJD does not publish a universal completion time on the public guidance used for this article, so allow for review and appointment availability.
Step 5: Pay the ADJD fee and book the appointment
After the application is approved, pay the applicable government fee and book an available video-conference appointment:
- Civil will registration: AED 950 per will
This is an ADJD fee. It is paid separately from Blanket's document-preparation fee.
Step 6: Complete video-conference notarisation
Attend the appointment and follow the notary's identity and signing instructions. Subject to ADJD approval and completion of its process, the will is certified and notarised in the registry.
What Should an ADJD Will Address?
The exact drafting depends on the testator's circumstances. Common areas include the following.
Identity and family information
Use names and identity details consistently with the supporting documents. Record the family information relevant to beneficiaries and guardianship nominations.
Revocation and scope
The draft should state its intended scope and how it interacts with earlier wills. This is particularly important if you already have a will in another country. ADJD says a civil will may include property or funds outside the UAE, but whether it is effective abroad depends on the law and procedure of the other jurisdiction. Obtain cross-border advice before coordinating multiple wills.
Beneficiaries and distribution
Identify the intended beneficiaries and the shares or gifts they should receive. A residuary provision can address assets within the will's scope that are not listed individually.
Executor appointment
Name the person intended to administer the estate and an alternative if appropriate. The executor's eventual authority and the documents required to deal with each asset depend on the applicable court and institution.
Guardianship nominations
A parent may record preferred guardians for minor children. The competent court retains authority over guardianship and applies the child's best interests, so a nomination should not be described as an automatic appointment in every circumstance.
Digital assets
You may record instructions and identifying information about digital assets. Do not put passwords, seed phrases, or other access credentials in the will itself. Whether an asset can be accessed or transferred also depends on applicable law and the provider's terms.
ADJD and Blanket Costs
| Item | Current price | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| ADJD civil-will fee | AED 950 per will | ADJD |
| Blanket individual-will preparation | From AED 799 | Blanket |
| Blanket mirror-wills preparation | From AED 1,199 | Blanket |
For a couple registering two regular wills, the ADJD fees are two separate AED 950 fees. Blanket's fee covers document preparation, specialist review, Arabic translation where required, and registration guidance. Government and court fees are separate. Ongoing updates are available through optional Blanket Membership.
Prices can change. Check the ADJD Civil Family Court page before filing and review Blanket's current checkout price before purchasing.
Documents Required
ADJD's public overview does not support one universal document list for every civil-will application. Submit the will and the identity or supporting documents requested by the current online application. Requirements may vary with the applicant and the contents of the will.
Do not sign, attest, translate, or notarise documents in advance unless the live ADJD instructions or a qualified adviser tells you to do so. Notarisation is part of ADJD's registration process.
Prepare your ADJD will from AED 799 — court fee paid separately
Start Your WillFrequently Asked Questions
How much does ADJD will registration cost?
ADJD publishes a fee of AED 950 per civil will. Each will is registered separately. Blanket's preparation service starts from AED 799 for an individual will and AED 1,199 for mirror wills; the ADJD fee is paid separately.
How long does ADJD will registration take?
Timing depends on drafting, ADJD review, any requested corrections, and video-appointment availability. Blanket's assessment usually takes 10–15 minutes, after which a specialist prepares the documents following payment. Neither that assessment time nor the drafting stage is the ADJD registration time.
Current Blanket customer experience is around three months for regular ADJD notarisation appointments and around two weeks for eligible customers using the ADGM route, as of 23 July 2026. The ADGM route carries an additional USD 155 authority fee per will. Availability changes and neither timing is guaranteed.
Can I register an ADJD will if I live in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai residents can use ADJD's online application and video-conference process. Later recognition or enforcement steps can depend on the asset, its location, and the competent court.
Must an ADJD will be in Arabic and English?
ADJD provides standard templates in Arabic and English. Confirm the current filing-language requirements in the live application. Blanket arranges Arabic translation where required for the selected filing.
What documents do I need?
Follow the checklist in the current ADJD e-service. Identity and supporting documents can vary by application, so a static online checklist should not replace the portal instructions.
Do I need a lawyer to apply?
ADJD's process allows the testator to submit the application. Blanket can prepare documents and guide the registration steps, but it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Use a licensed lawyer if you need advice about applicable law, cross-border assets, business interests, trusts, or potential disputes.
Can a Muslim expatriate register an ADJD civil will?
ADJD states that a person who is not a UAE citizen may register a will regardless of religion. The effect of that will on a particular estate is a separate legal question and should be reviewed where the applicable inheritance regime is uncertain.
What happens if I die without a will?
The court applies the intestacy rules relevant to the estate. The outcome can depend on nationality, religion, family composition, any valid choice of law, and the competent court. A registered will records the testator's instructions, but its application remains subject to the law and court procedure governing the estate.
