How to File a Paternity Case in Dubai starts with submitting an electronic statement of claim to Dubai Courts. The judge checks the child’s residence when considering jurisdiction. The court reviews the documents and may order DNA testing to establish parentage.
How to File a Paternity Case in Dubai Step by Step
Confirm jurisdiction and the applicable law.
Article 4(4) of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 addresses UAE jurisdiction over certain claims against foreign defendants based abroad. It includes lineage claims concerning a minor domiciled or resident in the UAE. This does not, by itself, establish that Dubai is the correct local court; check Article 3 and the case circumstances.
For non-Muslim families, the Civil Personal Status Law may apply instead. Article 14 of Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 covers proof of parentage for these families. Your lawyer will check which law governs your specific case.
See our guide to paternity and parentage claims in the UAE.
File the claim and supporting documents.
You must file the claim and supporting documents with the Dubai Courts. The electronic system requires a clear list of exhibits.
You must upload every document as a PDF file. The claim must state the parties’ details and the exact declaration of paternity you seek from the judge.
Arrange notification and attend hearings.
Article 49(2) of the Civil Procedure Law provides for service within 10 working days from delivery to the process server. The period does not run from the date the claim is filed.
If a hearing falls within that period, the claim must be served before the hearing. Under Article 49(3), missing this time limit does not, by itself, invalidate the proceedings.
The Civil Procedure Law applies where no specific personal-status rule governs the issue. This service period is not a deadline for deciding the paternity case.
After notification, the judge hears the dispute and reviews any defenses. The court may order DNA testing where the applicable legal conditions allow it. Medical testing is not a prerequisite for judgment in every paternity case.
See our guide to how long paternity cases take in the UAE.
Documents to prepare for the claim
Prepare the following documents for the court’s review:
- Identity records: Passports and Emirates IDs, where applicable.
- Birth records: Available birth notifications, birth certificates, and relevant hospital records.
- Marriage and acknowledgment: A marriage contract, acknowledgment, or other evidence relevant to the claimed parentage.
- Foreign documents: Relevant documents issued outside the UAE.
Need Help Preparing a Paternity Claim?
Speak with Faris Raian about jurisdiction, supporting documents, acknowledgment, and the circumstances in which the court may order DNA testing.
How the court assesses paternity and DNA evidence
Under Article 87 of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024, paternity can be established by birth during a valid marriage, formal acknowledgment, legal evidence, or scientific methods.
How a father can acknowledge paternity
Article 87 allows a father to establish paternity through a formal acknowledgment. To do this, the father must be a sane adult acting freely.
Under Article 89, the child must have an unknown parentage. The natural age difference between the father and the child must also make sense. If the child is a sane adult, they must agree to the claim.
Article 89(2) allows the court to request a DNA test whenever it considers one necessary.
For cases governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, Article 14(2) also permits DNA testing, subject to its conditions.
When the court orders a DNA test
A DNA test, however, is not automatic in every paternity case. Article 90 allows the court to order a test in these specific situations:
- A dispute over a child’s lineage.
- Mix-ups in hospitals.
- Accidents, disasters, or exceptional cases.
- A direct request from an official authority.
Before accepting the result, the court must confirm that the child’s lineage is unknown and the age gap is possible. Once the court confirms this, it must issue a ruling based on the final test result.
See our guide to proving paternity in the UAE.
Challenging established paternity
If legal paternity is already established, a new DNA result does not automatically overturn it. Different legal rules govern any challenge to an established family lineage.
The law governing non Muslim claims
The Civil Personal Status Law, Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, applies to non-Muslims. This rule applies unless one party asks to use their home country’s law under Article 1.
Official legal sources
Review the applicable law, existing orders, and supporting documents before taking the next step. The legal position depends on the family’s circumstances and the evidence available.
Book Your Consultation
To discuss a paternity claim, acknowledgment, or parentage dispute with Faris Raian, book your consultation on WhatsApp.
