GuidesWills
Wills in UAE: Registration Routes, Costs and Steps (2026)
Wills in UAE explained for expats: ADJD, ADGM and DIFC routes, who can use each, authority fees, Blanket's price and the steps to register a will.
Written byAnton PirinenFounder & CEO of Blanket
Key Takeaways
- Three common official routes for wills in UAE for expats are ADJD, the ADGM Courts Notary Public and Wills Office, and the DIFC Courts Wills Service
- ADJD charges AED 950 for standard civil will registration and AED 2,500 for special registration. The ADGM route adds USD 155 per will to the AED 950 ADJD fee
- DIFC publishes its own registration fees, which vary by will type. Check the DIFC fee schedule before you pay
- Blanket's preparation fee starts from AED 799 for one will, or from AED 1,199 for mirror wills. Authority fees are separate
- Blanket supports the ADJD and ADGM routes, and Dubai Courts through a private notary, where outside fees are around AED 3,000 per will
More than 4,000 UAE wills prepared. From AED 799, authority fees paid separately.
Find my routeWills in UAE: the short answer
Three common official routes for expats to register wills in UAE are the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), the ADGM Courts Notary Public and Wills Office, and the DIFC Courts Wills Service. Each has its own eligibility rules, fees and process. The right one depends on whether you qualify for it, what you own and what you want to spend.
The published authority fees differ by route. ADJD charges AED 950 for a standard civil will registration and AED 2,500 for special registration. The ADGM route costs USD 155 to ADGM on top of the AED 950 ADJD fee, per will. DIFC publishes its own fee schedule, with fees that vary by will type.
ADJD, ADGM and DIFC all offer an online or virtual process.
Blanket's preparation fee starts from AED 799 for one person and from AED 1,199 for mirror wills. Blanket supports the ADJD and ADGM routes, and Dubai Courts through a private notary. Authority fees are separate from Blanket's fee.
This is general information about UAE rules, not legal advice on your situation.
Why make a will in the UAE?
A will records who receives your assets and who you name as executor. If you have children, it can also record your guardianship nominations. You decide each of these, and the will sets them down.
A power of attorney cannot do this job. An ordinary POA generally ends on death or loss of legal capacity, with narrow exceptions. If you also need someone to act for you while you are alive, read our guide to power of attorney for property in the UAE.
Which registration routes exist for wills in UAE?
Three common official routes for expats are set out below. Dubai Courts also offers wills, covered in our guide to wills in Dubai.
| Route | Who can use it | Published authority fee | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADJD | In practice, people who are not citizens of a GCC country | AED 950 standard registration, AED 2,500 special registration | Online application, ADJD review, fee paid after approval, then a video conference notarisation appointment. |
| ADGM Courts Notary Public and Wills Office | Non-Muslims aged 21 or over who own assets in the UAE | USD 155 to ADGM on top of the AED 950 ADJD fee, per will | Fully digital eCourts submission and a virtual appointment. The will must be in Arabic and English, certified by a translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice |
| DIFC Courts Wills Service | People who are not Muslim and never have been, aged 21 or over, with UAE assets and/or minor children living in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah | Set by the DIFC fee schedule and varies by will type | Virtual registration available. Signed with two witnesses and held electronically, so the electronic will is the original |
A few points sit behind the table:
- AED 950 is ADJD's standard registration fee, not the fee for every will. Confirm with ADJD which service applies to you.
- ADGM is not a separate probate registry. Its guidance directs later UAE probate applications to ADJD. An ADGM will can cover disposition of an estate, guardianship nominations, or both.
- DIFC does not require UAE residence or a UAE visa. The DIFC Wills Service administers registration. It does not draft wills or give legal advice.
How do you choose between ADJD, ADGM and DIFC?
No route is better for everyone. The question is which one fits you.
Start with eligibility
ADJD civil wills are, in practice, for people who are not citizens of a GCC country. ADGM and DIFC add rules on religion and age, and each asks for a link to the UAE through assets or, for DIFC, minor children living in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah. If you do not meet a route's rules, it is off the list.
Compare the authority fees
For a standard registration, ADJD charges AED 950 per will. The ADGM route adds USD 155 to ADGM on top of that. ADJD special registration is AED 2,500. DIFC fees depend on the will type, so check the DIFC fee schedule before you pay.
Check the language
ADJD and ADGM wills are both in Arabic and English. For ADGM, the translation must be certified by a translator licensed by the Ministry of Justice. Blanket arranges the Arabic translation on both routes. DIFC wills are prepared in English.
Think about scope
An ADJD or ADGM will can name who inherits, who is executor and who you nominate as guardian for your children. ADJD says a civil will may also include assets outside the UAE. Our guide to ADJD will registration covers what to include and how it is filed.
DIFC works differently. It offers separate will types, such as a Property Will or a Guardianship Will, each with its own scope and fee. Our DIFC wills guide sets them out.
What does a will in the UAE cost in total?
There are two separate costs: preparing the will, and registering it with the authority. The table below is an illustration of the outside fees for the routes Blanket supports. It is not a final price for your case. For totals and what each fee covers, see our guide to the cost of making a will.
| Illustration | Blanket preparation | Published authority fees |
|---|---|---|
| ADJD, one will | From AED 799 | AED 950 to ADJD |
| ADJD, mirror wills | From AED 1,199 | AED 950 to ADJD for each of the two wills |
| ADGM, one will | From AED 799 | USD 155 to ADGM plus AED 950 to ADJD |
| ADGM, mirror wills | From AED 1,199 | USD 155 to ADGM plus AED 950 to ADJD, for each of the two wills |
| Dubai Courts through a private notary, one will | From AED 799 | Around AED 3,000, confirmed with the notary once your document is ready |
| Dubai Courts through a private notary, mirror wills | From AED 1,199 | Around AED 6,000 for the two wills |
Authority fees are separate from Blanket's fee and are not included in it. Prices can change, so check the official page before filing.
Blanket's fee covers preparation, expert review, Arabic translation where your chosen filing requires it, and registration guidance. For the ADGM route, Blanket also prepares and submits the filing and keeps you updated through notarisation. On the Dubai Courts route, Blanket coordinates your registration with the private notary.
How do you register a will in the UAE?
On the ADJD route, the sequence with Blanket looks like this:
- Answer Blanket's short online assessment.
- After payment, add the details of your family, beneficiaries, executors and any guardianship nominations.
- An expert reviews your answers and prepares the will. You check it before it is final.
- Submit the ADJD online application with the ID and supporting documents it asks for. You can do this yourself, or Blanket can submit it with you in a booked session.
- Respond to any questions or corrections from ADJD review.
- Pay the ADJD fee after approval and book a video conference appointment.
- Attend the appointment and sign as the notary instructs.
The application can be made by you, or by a representative acting under a power of attorney.
The ADGM route differs in a few ways. The will must be bilingual and certified by a licensed translator. It is submitted through ADGM eCourts, and Blanket submits the filing for its ADGM customers. You pay the USD 155 ADGM fee after the Notary Public accepts the request and before the appointment is scheduled. The AED 950 ADJD fee is paid after the appointment, and ADGM notarises the will electronically. Residents provide an Emirates ID and passport. Non-residents provide a passport plus a valid UAE visit visa or entry stamp.
For full step detail, see ADJD will registration and how to register a will in Dubai.
How long does it take?
ADJD and DIFC do not publish a universal completion time. Timing depends on review, corrections and appointment availability.
Availability changes, so no timing is guaranteed. Check the current appointment availability with the authority when you apply.
Can a will in the UAE cover assets outside the UAE?
Each route says something slightly different:
- ADJD says a civil will may include assets outside the UAE.
- ADGM can notarise a will that covers foreign assets, but probate for those assets takes place where they are located.
- DIFC says a Full Will can include foreign assets, subject to the law where they are located.
Including an asset in a UAE will does not guarantee it will be recognised abroad. Get cross-border advice before you coordinate wills in more than one country, so one will does not conflict with another.
How does Blanket help with a will in the UAE?
Blanket works online only and has prepared more than 2,000 UAE wills. Trained experts review every case. Blanket supports the ADJD route, the ADGM route for eligible non-Muslims, and Dubai Courts through a private notary. Blanket cannot yet help Muslim citizens of the UAE or another GCC country.
You decide who inherits, who is executor and who you nominate as guardian. The will is prepared to the chosen registry's requirements and checked against them. The registry still makes its own decision. Blanket's fee starts from AED 799, and authority fees are paid separately to the authority.
Blanket is an estate-planning technology platform. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. See the will product page for current prices.
Prepare your will with Blanket from AED 799
Find my routeFrequently Asked Questions
Can expats make a will in the UAE?
Yes. ADJD civil wills are, in practice, for people who are not citizens of a GCC country. ADGM is for non-Muslims aged 21 or over who own UAE assets. DIFC is for people who are not Muslim and never have been, aged 21 or over, with UAE assets and/or minor children living in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah.
How much does it cost to register a will in the UAE?
ADJD charges AED 950 for standard registration and AED 2,500 for special registration. The ADGM route costs USD 155 to ADGM plus AED 950 to ADJD per will. DIFC fees depend on the will type. Preparation is a separate cost, with Blanket starting from AED 799.
Can non-residents register a will through ADGM?
ADGM is for non-Muslims aged 21 or over who own assets in the UAE. Non-residents provide a passport plus a valid UAE visit visa or entry stamp. For ADJD, check the current portal requirements before you apply.
Can I register a will in the UAE without visiting a court?
Each route has a remote option. ADJD uses an online application and a video conference appointment. ADGM is fully digital, with eCourts submission and a virtual appointment. DIFC offers virtual registration. Identity checks are set by each authority.
Do I need a lawyer to make a will in the UAE?
The public ADJD, ADGM and DIFC materials do not make a lawyer universally mandatory. DIFC allows you to draft your own will, use an available template or appoint a registered Wills Draftsman. Complex or cross-border estates may still call for licensed advice.
Should couples make mirror wills, and what do they cost?
Mirror wills are a pair of wills, one for each partner. On the ADJD route each will carries its own AED 950 fee. Blanket prepares mirror wills from AED 1,199. DIFC sets a separate combined fee for mirror wills in its fee schedule. Whether they suit you depends on your family and assets.