The UAE Approves New Amendments Allowing Custody of Unknown Parentage Children Under Specific Conditions
December 13, 2025600 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The United Arab Emirates has approved new legal amendments allowing families and women residing in the country to have custody of children of unknown parentage, in a move that reflects an advanced approach to enhancing child protection and establishing the principle of "the best interest of the child" as a fundamental basis in all decisions related to their care and upbringing.
The government issued Federal Law Decree No. (12) of 2025, which amends some provisions of the law regarding unknown parentage, expanding the scope of family care for children and providing them with a stable and safe environment that meets their psychological, social, and educational needs.
According to the amendments, couples must apply for custody jointly, and neither of them should be under 25 years old, in addition to meeting the approved residency and care standards, with the family subject to periodic monitoring by a specialized committee to ensure the continued fulfillment of the required conditions.
The law also permits women residing in the country to have custody of a child of unknown parentage, provided that she is 30 years old or older, and has the financial capability to support herself and the child, while ensuring guarantees to protect the child's privacy and support their social integration.
The amendments emphasized that violating custody conditions may lead to the withdrawal of the child, with the possibility of adopting a corrective plan to address shortcomings, ensuring that the child's interest remains the top priority in all procedures.
The government issued Federal Law Decree No. (12) of 2025, which amends some provisions of the law regarding unknown parentage, expanding the scope of family care for children and providing them with a stable and safe environment that meets their psychological, social, and educational needs.
According to the amendments, couples must apply for custody jointly, and neither of them should be under 25 years old, in addition to meeting the approved residency and care standards, with the family subject to periodic monitoring by a specialized committee to ensure the continued fulfillment of the required conditions.
The law also permits women residing in the country to have custody of a child of unknown parentage, provided that she is 30 years old or older, and has the financial capability to support herself and the child, while ensuring guarantees to protect the child's privacy and support their social integration.
The amendments emphasized that violating custody conditions may lead to the withdrawal of the child, with the possibility of adopting a corrective plan to address shortcomings, ensuring that the child's interest remains the top priority in all procedures.
