Live-in partners in UAE: What’s the legal status of baby born out of wedlock?

Question: I am an American citizen and am planning to move to the UAE with my girlfriend. The recent legal reforms that make living-in relationship acceptable is a huge encouragement for me to take the decision to relocate to Dubai. We are planning to have a child soon. What will be the legal status of our child if we decide to have one since we are not married? Please advise.

Answer: It may be noted that prior to the recent legal reforms announced by the UAE government with respect to various laws — one of them being the provisions of Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Related to Issuance of Penal Code (Penal Law of UAE) — engaging in a relationship (sexual) with someone not married to you was considered as a criminal offence.

This is in accordance with Article 356 of the Penal Law of UAE, which states: “Without prejudice to the preceding two Articles, the crime of indecent assault with mutual consent shall be punished by detention for at least one year; however if the crime is committed against a male or female who is under fourteen years of age, or if the crime is committed by coercion, it shall be punished by temporary imprisonment.”