The UAE has amended its child protection law to expand custody options for unmarried parents
The UAE government issued Federal Screen Order No. (12) of 2025, repealing certain provisions regarding children of unknown parents as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the welfare of education and social protection.
The amendments reaffirm the “best interests of the child” as the fundamental principle that guides all decisions related to care, while being raised, while aligning with the UAE’s legal approach to developing laws that protect and empower children.
The decree reflects the UAE’s commitment to ensuring a strong, safe and supportive family environment that meets the child’s psychological, educational, health and social needs.
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It emphasizes the direction of the country to establish an integrated and advanced system that provides comprehensive care for children of unknown parents, protects their rights, and maintains their identity and privacy, enabling their positive integration into society.
Under these amendments, care can be provided to families living in the UAE, subject to certain conditions. The main thing in this case is that the application must be submitted jointly by both of them and each of them has completed 25 years of age.
These requirements are designed to ensure the maturity, responsibility and capacity to provide a strong family environment that fulfills the child’s developmental needs.
The detailed conditions and residency regulations governing residency within the UAE will be transferred to administrative regulations, to ensure that the environment of the Custodial family conforms to the approved standards of care for the adopted child.
Custodial Responsibilities
The federal regulation establishes a comprehensive framework governing the role of Custodial families, including obligations related to education, health and compliance with laws designed to protect the child’s interests, privacy and identity.
The amendments also introduce methods for monitoring and periodic evaluation of Custodial families by a special committee.
These measures are designed to ensure continuity and quality of care, strengthen accountability, and ensure that storage facilities remain in compliance with approved standards.
In line with the UAE’s commitment to promote women’s social participation and their involvement in family care, the amendments allow the custody of an unknown child to be given to a suitable person.
The woman must live in the UAE, be over 30 years old, and be financially able to support herself and the adopted child.
This provision increases interpretive options while ensuring that decisions prioritize the best interests of the child and empower women to fulfill their social and human roles.
Changes and correction methods
These amendments allowed for the removal of an adopted child from a family member or a female guardian in cases where preserved conditions are met or where legal obligations have been breached.
When the special Committee decides that the violation is not serious, it can set a program for the correction of the family or the female guardian defined by the Committee, to ensure the maintenance of a safe environment that protects their needs.
The amendments emphasize the UAE’s commitment to developing a Child Protection System in line with its social values, emphasizing the principles of justice, compassion and family empowerment.
The Federal law reflects the determination of the UAE to ensure that the children of unknown origin receive dignified and comprehensive care that allows their positive integration into society and learning, strengthening the country’s position as a world model in social care and human care.
