Wills in Dubai for expats (2026): ADJD, DIFC and the ADGM notary route compared
6 min read · Updated 7 October 2026
If you live in Dubai, you do not need a Dubai-specific will registry. Most expats in Dubai register through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD): the application is online, the notarisation is a video call, and the registered will covers your UAE assets wherever in the country they sit — a Dubai apartment and Dubai bank accounts included. The court fee is AED 950 for a single will.
Two other routes exist: the DIFC Courts Wills Service, and a fully digital notary channel run by ADGM Courts in partnership with ADJD. Here is how the three compare for someone sitting in Dubai, with 2026 fees from each authority's own published schedule.
The three routes, side by side
| Route | Who runs it | Registration / court fee | Where you attend | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADJD civil will | Abu Dhabi Judicial Department | AED 950 single, AED 1,900 mirror | Online application; video-call notarisation from Dubai | Most expats with a straightforward estate; open to non-citizens regardless of religion |
| ADGM notary route | ADGM Courts' Notary Public and Wills Office, in partnership with ADJD | AED 950 to ADJD + USD 155 to ADGM, per will | Fully digital; virtual appointment via ADGM eCourts | Non-Muslim wills where you already hold a bilingual document certified by a licensed legal translator |
| DIFC Courts will | DIFC Courts Wills Service | From about AED 10,000 (single full will); AED 15,000 mirror | Online, electronic signing with two witnesses | Non-Muslims with larger or more complex estates who want an English-language, common-law framework |
Why Dubai residents mostly use ADJD
- No Abu Dhabi residency requirement. A Dubai resident applies through ADJD's online civil-will process like anyone else.
- It covers UAE assets nationwide: your Dubai property, UAE bank accounts, vehicles, investments and end-of-service benefits.
- The whole process is remote: submit online with UAE Pass, pay AED 950 to the court, attend a short video-call notarisation.
- The court provides an official bilingual (English/Arabic) template, so there is no separate certified-translation requirement.
- It is open to non-UAE citizens regardless of religion, so Muslim expats can use it too (see our guide on civil wills for Muslim expats).
The ADGM route, explained
ADGM Courts run a fully digital Notary Public and Wills Office in partnership with ADJD; its notaries are accredited by ADJD. For a non-Muslim will, ADGM's published fee schedule lists AED 950 payable to ADJD plus USD 155 payable to ADGM Courts, per will. The appointment is a virtual meeting booked through ADGM's eCourts platform; ADJD's fee is requested by SMS after the appointment and ADGM's by an emailed payment link.
The practical catch: ADGM's own FAQ requires the document to be in bilingual format certified by a legal translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice, and the office does not provide translation. That is an extra step and cost compared with using ADJD's official template directly. Probate later runs through ADJD. Eligibility for residents of other emirates is best confirmed with ADGM's Wills Office before you book.
When DIFC is worth the price
DIFC's Wills Service is for non-Muslims who have never been Muslim. Its registration fees start at roughly AED 10,000 for a single full will, with cheaper restricted wills (property-only, financial-assets-only) and AED 15,000 for a couple's mirror wills. What you buy is an English-only, common-law process that lawyers in Dubai know well. For a large or multi-jurisdiction estate, a business, or a blended family, that familiarity can be worth it. For an apartment, accounts and guardianship, most Dubai expats now choose ADJD and keep the difference.
Registering from Dubai: the ADJD steps
- Prepare your will on ADJD's official bilingual template. WillReady generates it from a guided questionnaire and has a lawyer review it.
- File the application on ADJD's portal under your UAE Pass, from anywhere in the UAE. WillReady files it for you: you only approve the login on your phone.
- A court clerk reviews it; you receive the AED 950 fee link and pay the court directly.
- Attend the video-call notarisation with an ADJD notary. Your stamped will arrives by email.
Dubai Courts also register wills for non-Muslims through its notary services. That process is Arabic-led and usually handled with a legal translator or lawyer; most expats find ADJD's bilingual template and fully remote process simpler.
Frequently asked
Can I register an ADJD will if I live in Dubai?
Yes. There is no Abu Dhabi residency requirement. You apply online, pay the AED 950 court fee, and attend the video-call notarisation from Dubai.
Does an ADJD will cover my Dubai apartment and Dubai bank accounts?
Yes. A registered ADJD civil will covers your UAE assets wherever in the country they are, including Dubai property and accounts.
Do I have to travel to Abu Dhabi?
No. Both the ADJD route and the ADGM notary route are remote: online submission and a video appointment.
What is the ADGM route and what does it cost?
A fully digital notary channel run by ADGM Courts in partnership with ADJD for non-Muslim wills. ADGM's fee schedule lists AED 950 to ADJD plus USD 155 to ADGM per will, and requires a bilingual document certified by a Ministry of Justice licensed legal translator.
Is there a Dubai Courts option?
Yes, Dubai Courts register non-Muslim wills through its notary services, but the process is Arabic-led and usually needs a translator or lawyer. ADJD's bilingual template and remote process are why most Dubai expats go that way.
Make your UAE will in about 20 minutes
Guided questions on the official ADJD form — see your finished bilingual will before paying anything.
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General information about the process, not legal advice about your circumstances — see our Disclaimer. Figures and procedures reflect published information at the date above; courts can change forms, fees and requirements at any time.