The UAE Government has issued Federal Decree-Law No. (12) of 2025, amending provisions concerning children of unknown parentage.
The amendments strengthen the child protection framework in the UAE and reaffirm “the best interests of the child” as the principle guiding all decisions related to care, custody and upbringing.
The Decree-Law provides that custody may be granted to families residing in the United Arab Emirates, subject to conditions. The application must be jointly submitted by both spouses, and each spouse must have completed 25 years of age.
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These requirements ensure maturity, responsibility and the capacity to provide a family environment that fulfils the child’s needs.
The amendments refer the conditions and controls governing residency within the UAE to the executive regulations, ensuring that the custodial family environment conforms to standards for custody and provides levels of care for the child.
The amendments allow custody of a child of unknown parentage to be granted to a woman who resides in the UAE, has completed 30 years of age, and is financially capable of supporting herself and the child.
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This provision promotes women’s social role and their involvement in family care, whilst ensuring that custody decisions prioritise the child’s interests and empower women to fulfil their social and humanitarian roles.
The Federal Decree-Law establishes a framework regulating the role of custodial families, including responsibilities related to education, health and psychological follow-up, and compliance with rules designed to protect the child’s interests, privacy and identity.
The amendments include mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of custodial families and women custodians by a committee, ensuring the continuity and quality of care, strengthening accountability, and verifying that the environment remains consistent with custodial standards.
In cases where any of the custody conditions are no longer met, or where obligations have been breached, the amendments permit the removal of the child from the custodial family or woman custodian.
Where the committee determines that the breach is not serious, it may impose a plan that the custodial family or woman custodian must implement within the conditions and timelines specified by the committee, ensuring continuity of care within an environment that protects the child’s rights and meets their needs.
The amendments reflect the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its child protection framework in line with its social and humanitarian values, reinforcing the principles of justice, compassion and family empowerment.
The Federal Decree-Law reflects the UAE’s resolve to ensure that children of unknown parentage receive care that enables their integration in society and guarantees opportunities for growth and learning within a family environment.
This development forms part of the UAE’s approach to protecting children’s rights, improving their quality of life, and ensuring a future for generations, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a model in social protection and humanitarian care.
