Guide · updated 02.09.2026 · 9 min read · Lucent Legal team

DIFC Will for Non-Muslims in Dubai: How to Register a Will Step by Step

DIFC Will for Non-Muslims 2026: How to Register It

Key points

  • A DIFC will is open to any non-Muslim aged 21+ who has never been Muslim, with no UAE residency required — the DIFC Courts describe the service as "for non-Muslims investing and living in the UAE."
  • There are six will types — Full Will, Property Will, Financial Assets Will, Business Owners Will, Digital Assets Will, and Guardianship Will. Official court fees run from AED 5,000 (Guardianship, Financial Assets, Business Owners, Digital Assets) up to AED 10,000 (Full Will) for a single will, and AED 7,500–15,000 for a couple's mirror wills.
  • You register by appointment only, booked through the DIFC Courts' eRegistry, either in person at the Wills Service Centre or by video call — slots run even on Saturdays from 8:00 to 16:00.
  • Once you die, the executors named in the will apply for a Grant of Probate at the DIFC Courts; a dedicated Case Progression Officer handles the case, and assets outside the DIFC are distributed through a Protocol of Enforcement with the Dubai Courts.
  • Amending a registered will costs AED 550 plus a AED 55 appointment fee; the price to withdraw (revoke) one is quoted inconsistently across sources, so confirm the current figure with the Wills Service Centre directly.

You're a non-Muslim living in the UAE, or holding assets here, and you want your wishes locked in rather than left to the default local inheritance rules. The DIFC Wills Service Centre — a registry run by the DIFC Courts — lets any non-Muslim aged 21 or over register a will in a single appointment, about 20 minutes, in person or by video call, for a court fee starting at AED 5,000 depending on the type. Here is the process step by step, from first draft to signing in front of witnesses, and what happens to the document after death.

Who Can Register a DIFC Will

The eligibility rule is short: you must be non-Muslim, have never been Muslim, and be 21 or older. The DIFC Courts describe the service as being "for non-Muslims investing and living in the UAE," and public materials don't spell out a residency-visa requirement. You can register even while physically abroad at the time of booking, since part of the process runs remotely. Whether a DIFC will actually fits your situation — your assets, your children, your nationality — against the alternatives is covered in our full guide to inheritance in the UAE.

What Types of Wills Are Available

The DIFC Courts offer six will types built for different needs, not one universal document:

  • Full Will — covers all movable and immovable property in the UAE, plus guardianship of minor children.
  • Property Will — real estate only (or shares in it).
  • Financial Assets Will — bank and brokerage accounts.
  • Business Owners Will — shares in UAE-registered companies.
  • Digital Assets Will — a dedicated will for digital assets (cryptocurrency, accounts, tokenised property).
  • Guardianship Will — guardianship of children only, with no property provisions.

The type you pick sets your court fee: a narrow Guardianship or Financial Assets will costs less than a Full Will. For a full price comparison across all types, including the ADJD alternative in Abu Dhabi, see our guide on how much a will costs.

Step 1: Drafting the Will

You can prepare the text two ways. Fill in a standard DIFC template yourself — fine for simple situations, one type of asset, a clear set of beneficiaries. Or use a registered draftsman, a lawyer accredited by the DIFC Courts, if things are more complex: multiple jurisdictions, contested shares, an unusual guardianship arrangement. A lawyer also helps with wording that won't get challenged in court later.

Step 2: Booking Your Registration Appointment

Appointments are booked only through the DIFC Courts' eRegistry portal. At this stage you pick the will type, choose in-person or video format, and pay a non-refundable booking deposit that counts toward the final court fee. Slots run beyond weekdays, including Saturdays from 8:00 to 16:00, which helps if you work a standard schedule.

Step 3: Documents and Witnesses

For the appointment you'll need your passport and/or Emirates ID, the finished will text, and your witnesses' details. In current practice, the Wills Service Centre requires two witnesses aged 21+, holding a valid photo ID, who are not beneficiaries, guardians, or their spouses — they can join by video. More recently, a translator accredited by the UAE Ministry of Justice may also attend the signing if you need help understanding the will's terms in English.

Step 4: Signing — Video Call or In Person

The appointment is short, usually around 20 minutes. A Wills Service Centre officer confirms the identity of the applicant and witnesses, walks through the will's key points, and witnesses the signing. You can do this in person at the DIFC Courts office in Dubai, or by video call if you or your witnesses can't attend physically. Once signed, the will is registered and you receive confirmation.

Cost and Timeline

The court fee depends on the type, under the official DIFC Courts fee schedule (July 2026). A Full Will is AED 10,000 for a single document or AED 15,000 for a mirror pair (for couples); a Property Will is AED 7,500 / 10,000; Guardianship, Financial Assets, and Business Owners Wills are AED 5,000 / 7,500 each; a Digital Assets Will is also AED 5,000 / 7,500. A separate non-refundable booking fee applies (AED 500–2,000 depending on type, credited toward the total). DIFC Courts fees aren't subject to VAT.

The process itself, from booking to a signed document, usually fits into a single appointment of around 20 minutes if the will text is ready in advance. It takes longer if you're using a lawyer for a complex draft. For a full comparison with the ADJD registry in Abu Dhabi and notarised wills through the Dubai Courts, see our guide on how much a will costs.

How to Modify or Revoke a Will

A DIFC will can be updated when circumstances change — a child is born, a divorce happens, an asset is sold. Modifying an already-registered document costs AED 550 plus a AED 55 appointment fee, booked the same way through eRegistry. Revocation (withdrawal) is less clear-cut: the current official price list doesn't list a separate fee for it, while older DIFC Courts reference materials quoted around AED 1,000. Sources disagree here, so confirm the exact cost with the Wills Service Centre or your lawyer at the time.

What Happens After Death: Probate at DIFC Courts

A registered DIFC will doesn't remove the court process — it speeds it up and makes it predictable. The executors named in the will file an application for a Grant of Probate with the DIFC Courts Registry, in person, through a lawyer, or by power of attorney. Once filed, the case is assigned a personal Case Progression Officer who follows it through every stage.

If assets also sit outside the DIFC — for instance, in the wider emirate of Dubai — distribution runs through a Protocol of Enforcement between the DIFC Courts and the Dubai Courts. The Dubai Courts' Execution Department then instructs the land department (DLD), free zones, and banks to transfer the assets. Official materials don't publish exact probate timelines or a filing fee — check with the Registry ([email protected]) or your lawyer when you file. How this route differs from a Dubai Courts notarial will on timing, language and recognition in Russia is set out in Dubai Courts will vs DIFC will.

FAQ

Do I need to be a UAE resident to register a DIFC will?

No. Public DIFC Courts materials state no residency requirement, and you can register from abroad, since part of the process runs remotely by video call.

Can I register a DIFC will if I used to be Muslim?

No. The service is limited to people who are non-Muslim and have never been Muslim — that's a core eligibility condition.

How long does the actual registration appointment take?

Signing in front of a Wills Service Centre officer usually runs about 20 minutes, as long as the will text is already finalised; drafting it with a lawyer can take longer, depending on complexity.

Can I sign a DIFC will remotely, without visiting Dubai?

Yes. Registration works by video call, including when the applicant or witnesses sit outside the UAE — attending in person isn't required.

What happens to my will if I move to another emirate or country?

The will itself doesn't become invalid automatically, but if your assets, marital status, or your children's place of residence change, you should file a modification (AED 550 plus the appointment fee) — otherwise the document may stop accurately reflecting your wishes.

Does a DIFC will cover assets outside Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah?

It depends on your situation and the type of will — a DIFC will is primarily built around assets in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, while property strictly in Abu Dhabi is more often handled through the parallel ADJD registry; a lawyer can tell you which option actually fits your case.

Sources

Topic: UAE Inheritance & Wills for Non-Muslims 2026

This material is for information only and is not legal advice. UAE law changes — a lawyer will assess how it applies to your situation.