Guide · updated 31.07.2026 · 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

  • Any non-Muslim (and someone who has never been Muslim) aged 21+ can register a DIFC will; UAE residency isn't required — the DIFC Courts' own wording describes the service as being "for non-Muslims investing and living in the UAE."
  • Six will types are available: Full Will, Property Will, Financial Assets Will, Business Owners Will, Digital Assets Will, and Guardianship Will — court fees on the official DIFC Courts price list 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 mirror wills registered by a couple.
  • Registration is by appointment only through the DIFC Courts' eRegistry — in person at the Wills Service Centre or by video call, with slots available even on Saturdays from 8:00 to 16:00.
  • After death, the executors named in the will file for a Grant of Probate with the DIFC Courts; the case is handled by a dedicated Case Progression Officer, and distribution of assets outside the DIFC runs through a Protocol of Enforcement with the Dubai Courts.
  • Modifying an already-registered will costs AED 550 plus a AED 55 appointment fee; the cost of withdrawing (revoking) a will is quoted inconsistently across sources, so confirm the current figure directly with the Wills Service Centre.

If you're a non-Muslim living in the UAE, or you hold assets here, you've probably already asked yourself how to lock in your wishes for the worst case instead of leaving it to the default local inheritance rules. Short answer: the DIFC Wills Service Centre — a wills 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 of will. Here's the registration 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 simple: you must be non-Muslim and have never been Muslim, and you must 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 a will even while physically abroad at the time of booking, since part of the process can be completed remotely. What actually determines whether a DIFC will makes sense for your situation — your assets, your children, your nationality — compared with the alternatives is covered in our full guide to inheritance in the UAE.

What Types of Wills Are Available

The DIFC Courts don't offer one universal document — there's a lineup of six will types built for different needs:

  • 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 choose sets your court fee: a narrow Guardianship or Financial Assets will is cheaper 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 exclusively 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, which 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 your 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 itself 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 either 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

Under the official DIFC Courts fee schedule (July 2026), the court fee depends on the type: 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

Circumstances change — a child is born, a divorce happens, an asset is sold — and a DIFC will can be updated. 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

Having 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, either 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 sit outside the DIFC as well — 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 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.

FAQ

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

No — public DIFC Courts materials don't state a residency requirement. You can register a will even while abroad, since part of the process can be done remotely by video call.

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

No — the service is for 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 takes about 20 minutes, provided 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 is available by video call, including when the applicant or witnesses are outside the UAE; attending the office 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

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