Owning property in Dubai creates responsibilities that continue beyond your lifetime. Yet many expatriates who carefully manage their property, investments and family finances have never considered how those assets would be transferred after their death.
Consider a British couple living in Dubai Marina who own an apartment, maintain UAE bank accounts and have two young children. A will prepared in the UK may not adequately address every aspect of their UAE estate.
For eligible non-Muslims, registering a will in Dubai through the DIFC Courts Wills Service offers a structured way to record inheritance wishes and, where applicable, nominate guardians. The key is selecting the correct will and completing registration properly.
Registering Wills in Dubai: DIFC vs Onshore Notarised Wills
Non-Muslims can register wills in Dubai through the DIFC Courts Wills Service or use the onshore Dubai Courts framework, including applicable notarisation procedures. DIFC registration follows specific rules for eligible testators and provides a DIFC probate route. The appropriate option depends on your assets, family circumstances and succession requirements.
These routes operate within different court systems.
The DIFC Wills and Probate Registry framework is governed by the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry Rules and Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017, which concerns the administration of estates and the implementation of non-Muslim wills.
Onshore wills involve the Dubai Courts and applicable UAE legislation. The Dubai Courts Personal Status Court has responsibilities relating to wills and estate matters.
The choice should not depend on registration cost alone. Consider where your assets are located, your nationality, any existing overseas wills and which court would administer the estate.
Types of DIFC Wills and Which One Fits Your Assets
The DIFC Courts Wills Service currently lists six will categories. Choosing the wrong category may leave assets or family arrangements outside the document.
- Full Will: Covers movable and immovable assets within its stated jurisdiction. A properly drafted Full Will may also include guardianship provisions.
- Property Will: Covers up to five specifically identified UAE real estate properties or property interests.
- Financial Assets Will: Covers up to ten qualifying UAE bank or brokerage accounts.
- Business Owners Will: Covers up to five qualifying UAE shareholdings.
- Digital Assets Will: Addresses qualifying digital assets through the DIFC Courts’ designated digital asset arrangements.
- Guardianship Will: Provides for the appointment of guardians for eligible minor children without distributing other assets.
Full Wills vs Asset-Specific Wills
A Full Will may suit someone with several types of UAE assets or an estate likely to change.
Asset-specific wills suit narrower requirements. However, Property, Financial Assets and Business Owners Wills identify particular assets, so later acquisitions may require amendments.
Married couples can also consider mirror wills. These are two separate wills registered together, rather than one joint document.
Who Can Register a DIFC Will and What Documents Are Needed?
According to the DIFC Courts eligibility guidance, a testator must be non-Muslim, never previously Muslim, at least 18 years old and have UAE assets and/or qualifying minor children.
UAE residency is not mandatory. Eligible applicants living abroad can register remotely.
[COMPLIANCE CHECK] The DIFC Courts’ published FAQ states 18, while Article 9 of Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 refers to a minimum age of 21. Eligibility for applicants aged 18–20 should be confirmed directly with the Registry before publication.
Before starting, prepare:
- A valid passport and Emirates ID, if applicable;
- Identification for two eligible witnesses;
- Details of the executors responsible for administering the estate;
- Beneficiaries’ names and intended inheritance arrangements;
- Property title deeds, Oqood certificates or company ownership documents where required; and
- Signed guardianship statements where guardians are appointed.
Your executor should be someone willing and able to manage administrative responsibilities. Guardians should understand the proposed arrangements, particularly where they live outside the UAE.
How to Register a Will with the DIFC Wills Registry: Step by Step
Registration involves preparing a compliant document, submitting the required information and completing a formal signing appointment.
1. Confirm eligibility and select your will
Start with the official DIFC Wills Service portal.
Identify whether you need a Full Will, an asset-specific will or guardianship arrangements. Review any existing overseas wills before drafting to avoid conflicting instructions.
2. Prepare the will
The DIFC Wills and Probate Registry Rules prescribe mandatory content and execution requirements.
A will should identify the testator, appoint appropriate executors, record the intended distribution and deal with any remaining estate assets where relevant.
For certain categories, the DIFC provides online templates. More complex estates may require individually drafted provisions.
3. Decide whether to instruct a DIFC wills lawyer
Legal representation is not mandatory for every DIFC will.
However, someone with businesses, multiple properties, dependants or overseas assets may benefit from legal advice before registration.
The DIFC maintains a separate Register of Wills Draftsmen. These are practitioners recognised for preparing DIFC wills under the Registry’s requirements.
A lawyer’s general DIFC registration does not automatically establish their status as a registered wills draftsman. Check the relevant register rather than assuming all DIFC registered lawyers offer this service.
The Registry itself does not provide legal drafting advice.
4. Upload the document and supporting information
Complete the applicable online form or upload the prepared will using the DIFC portal.
You may need ownership documents for a Property or Business Owners Will, or signed guardianship statements for relevant family arrangements.
Check names, identification numbers and beneficiaries carefully before submission. An avoidable discrepancy may delay registration.
5. Book and pay for the registration appointment
Once the documentation is ready, choose an available appointment and pay the registration fee.
The DIFC Courts offer electronic registration, including appointments conducted by video conference.
Your two witnesses must be adults with valid government-issued photographic identification. Beneficiaries, guardians and their spouses cannot act as witnesses.
6. Attend the signing appointment
During the appointment, a DIFC compliance officer checks identification and takes the testator through the will.
The testator and two witnesses then sign electronically, using suitable touch-enabled devices.
Virtual participants can join from different locations, provided they follow the Registry’s technical and identification requirements.
7. Obtain and retain the registered will
After signing, the testator can download the registered electronic will.
The DIFC Courts retain the electronic original within their system. No separate paper original is required.
Keep a secure copy and ensure your executors know that the will exists and which Registry holds it.
DIFC Will Registration Fees and Updating Your Will
The official DIFC Courts fee schedule, checked in October 2026, lists these single-will registration charges:Mirror-will fees differ. Professional drafting charges are separate from DIFC registration fees.
| Will type | Registry fee |
|---|---|
| Full Will | AED 10,000 |
| Property Will | AED 7,500 |
| Financial Assets Will | AED 5,000 |
| Business Owners Will | AED 5,000 |
| Digital Assets Will | AED 5,000 |
| Guardianship Will | AED 5,000 |
A modification currently costs AED 550 per will. Changes to substantive provisions require signing a replacement document, rather than simply attaching a handwritten amendment.
Withdrawal is currently free. Personal information updates can also be made without a modification fee.
Review your will after marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the acquisition of significant assets or changes involving executors.
How DIFC Wills Registration Affects Probate
Registration establishes an official document that executors can use when applying to administer an estate. It does not eliminate probate.
After a death, the executor applies to the DIFC Courts for a Grant of Probate, providing the death certificate and required supporting documents.
The Courts review the application and may issue probate or guardianship orders, as appropriate.
Where assets require implementation through the Dubai Courts, further recognition or execution procedures may apply.
A registered will therefore provides a defined procedural route, but estate administration can still involve creditors, property authorities, beneficiaries and other jurisdictions.
What to Do Before Booking Your Registration Appointment
Begin by listing your UAE property, accounts, business interests and family arrangements. Identify any assets already covered by another will and decide who could realistically act as executor.
Then review the relevant DIFC will category, prepare identification documents and check whether professional drafting assistance would be appropriate.
If you are considering DIFC Wills services, Davidson & Co can discuss your circumstances and the available legal arrangements. You can contact the firm before starting the registration process.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a qualified lawyer.
FAQs
1. Can non-Muslim expatriates register wills in Dubai through the DIFC?
Yes. Eligible non-Muslim expatriates can register DIFC wills even if they do not reside in the UAE. Applicants must meet the Registry’s eligibility requirements, including having qualifying UAE assets and/or minor children. The current DIFC guidance specifies a minimum age of 18, subject to the legal age discrepancy flagged for verification.
2. How much does it cost to register a DIFC will?
As at October 2026, DIFC registration fees start at AED 5,000 for several asset-specific wills and Guardianship Wills. A single Property Will costs AED 7,500, while a Full Will costs AED 10,000. Mirror wills have separate rates. Legal drafting charges are additional, and applicants should confirm current fees before booking.
3. Can I register a DIFC will online without visiting Dubai?
Yes. The DIFC Wills Service allows eligible testators to complete registration by video conference, including from outside the UAE. Two eligible witnesses must attend the appointment. Participants need valid identification, a reliable internet connection and suitable devices for viewing the appointment and signing electronically.
4. Do I need a DIFC wills lawyer to register my will?
Not necessarily. Eligible individuals can prepare their own will or use an applicable DIFC template, provided the document complies with the Registry’s requirements. For complex estates, professional advice may help address drafting risks. The DIFC publishes a Register of Wills Draftsmen listing practitioners approved for this work.
5. Can I change my DIFC will after it has been registered?
Yes. You can modify a registered DIFC will by preparing a replacement and completing another registration appointment. The current modification fee is AED 550 per will. Updating contact or passport information does not ordinarily require the same process. Changes involving beneficiaries, assets or guardians should be reviewed carefully.
