Deciding to make a Will is one thing. In the UAE, three names come up frequently: Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), DIFC Courts and Dubai Courts.
For many families, the real question is not which name sounds most familiar. It is whether the selected route is suitable for their assets, family circumstances and preferred registration process. This ADJD vs DIFC vs Dubai Courts Wills guide explains the main differences in everyday language, including fees, eligibility, documents and remote appointments.
ADJD vs DIFC vs Dubai Courts
ADJD operates a civil Wills service through Abu Dhabi’s judicial system. DIFC Courts has a specialist Wills Service with categories such as Full, Property and Guardianship Wills for eligible non-Muslims. Dubai Courts provides a separate route for non-Muslim Will attestation under applicable Dubai procedures.
Quick comparison of the three registration routes
| Question | ADJD | DIFC | Dubai Courts |
| Who administers it? | Abu Dhabi Judicial Department | DIFC Courts Wills Service | Dubai Courts / relevant notarial service |
| Published fee example | AED 950, regular Will | AED 10,000, Single Full Will | AED 2,000, non-Muslim Will attestation |
| Is there a specialist Will category? | Regular and special Will services | Full, Property, Guardianship and other categories | Confirm the particular service and procedure |
| Is an online process available? | Electronic application services | Virtual registration appointments | Confirm availability for the chosen service |
| Key first step | Check civil Will eligibility and scope | Check DIFC eligibility and Will category | Confirm the notarial route and document rules |
These figures are official charges for particular services, not comparable all-inclusive professional packages. Prices and requirements should be confirmed with the authority before booking.
ADJD Will registration: what makes it different?
ADJD’s Civil Wills Office offers a registration route under Abu Dhabi’s civil family framework. Its official published fee is AED 950 for a regular Will and AED 2,500 for a special Will.
ADJD also makes a standard Will template available.
Who can use ADJD?
ADJD explains that non-UAE citizens can register a civil Will regardless of religion, subject to the relevant rules. Applicants should still verify their precise situation, proposed provisions and the scope of assets involved.
Can you apply remotely?
ADJD has electronic application services, and its published guidance describes remote procedures for relevant Will services.
DIFC Will registration: what makes it different?
The DIFC Courts Wills Service is designed around specific Will categories. Its Full Will covers movable and immovable assets in the UAE. A Property Will concerns qualifying interests in up to five UAE properties. The service also provides Guardianship, Business Owners, Financial Assets and Digital Assets Will categories.
A Property Will, for instance, should not be treated as a substitute for an appropriate Will covering a wider estate.
Who can register a DIFC Will?
DIFC’s published eligibility conditions require the person to be a non-Muslim who has never been Muslim, to be at least 18 years old, and to have the required UAE asset or qualifying minor-child connection. DIFC does not generally require the eligible person to be a UAE resident.
That last point can matter to someone living in India, the UK or elsewhere while holding UAE property.
What does DIFC registration cost?
The official DIFC Will registration fee is AED 10,000 for a Single Full Will or AED 15,000 for two Full Mirror Wills. Other categories have their own published rates. Drafting and other professional services may be charged separately.
How does the appointment work?
DIFC permits virtual registration, with the testator and two eligible witnesses attending the required appointment. Witnesses must meet independence and identification rules. DIFC publishes instructions for passports, Emirates ID where applicable and supporting ownership documents for certain categories.
Dubai Courts Will registration: how is it different from DIFC?
DIFC has its own specialist Wills Service. Dubai’s non-Muslim Will route follows the applicable Dubai legal and notarial framework.
Dubai’s published 2025 notary fee schedule lists AED 2,000 for attestation of a Will made by a non-Muslim.
The documents, language and appointment requirements can depend on the service and individual situation. If a quote mentions Dubai Courts, ask the provider to name the exact procedure, identify the official fee and explain any translation or professional charges.
Which route fits common family and asset situations?
You own one Dubai apartment
Start with the ownership documents and decide whether the Will should cover only that property or other assets too. DIFC’s Property Will has a defined scope, while other registration routes may be worth reviewing. The right choice depends on more than the apartment’s location.
You are married and have children
A married couple may consider Mirror Wills in the UAE: two separate Wills with corresponding wishes. They may also want to record guardianship preferences. Ask which provisions are legally available through the chosen route and remember that guardianship decisions remain subject to applicable law.
You own a UAE company
Shares, business agreements and succession planning can interact. DIFC offers a Business Owners Will category, but its suitability depends on the shares and the estate. Consider professional legal advice before selecting a category purely because its name matches your situation.
You live outside the UAE
Remote access may be particularly valuable. DIFC permits eligible applicants to register virtually from abroad. Ask about requirements under other routes, and review whether your UAE Will fits alongside documents in your country of residence.
The five questions that matter before choosing
- Am I eligible? DIFC and ADJD do not have identical rules. Avoid assuming a service is available to you because a friend used it.
- What should the Will cover? List properties, accounts, shareholdings, intended beneficiaries and any guardianship wishes before requesting a recommendation.
- Do I need one Will or two? Spouses usually need their own documents, even when their intentions are similar. Check how the selected authority handles Mirror Wills.
- Can I complete the process online? Remote document submission is not always the same as remote signing or notarisation. Confirm each stage.
- What is the all-inclusive price? Compare the official charges and the provider’s drafting, review, translation and appointment assistance. Ask about any items that are excluded.
How to begin your Will registration enquiry
Start with the basics: where you live, the UAE assets involved, whether you are preparing an Individual Will or two Wills, and any family matters you want to discuss.
At Register My Will, we help individuals, couples and UAE asset owners understand ADJD, DIFC and Dubai Courts options, along with the documents and registration steps involved. Any legal advice or drafting must be provided or reviewed by appropriately qualified professionals.
See our How It Works guide or explore Will registration pricing. If you’re ready to discuss your circumstances, book a free consultation.
Need help comparing ADJD, DIFC and Dubai Courts?
Contact Register My Will for a consultation and a clear explanation of the available routes.
This article provides general information, not personal legal advice. Official fees and requirements were checked in November 2026 and should be verified again before an application is made.
Official reference links
The fee and eligibility details above are based on the relevant authority publications:
