Saturday, Mar 31, 2012
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi If you are getting married, do not be surprised to see the Mazoon (official for civil ceremonies) coming to your wedding with a laptop. The traditional process to ensure a Mazoon attends is no longer the sole option.
Documentation can now be done electronically and online reservations made for a Mazoon to show up at a particular time and place. Confirmation will also be received electronically.
Traditionally, applicants have had to visit multiple offices to complete a variety of processes in order to secure an appointment with a Mazoon.
“The new procedure will facilitate and expedite the process. Rather than an applicant visiting various departments to apply for a marriage licence, the Mazoon now comes with a laptop, has access to proper documentation, completes the formal process and officiates the ceremony,” Jaafar Al Hashemi, director of the Media Centre at the Judicial Department in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News.
SMS notification
Once an application is filed, three SMS messages are immediately dispatched to relevant parties. One SMS will be sent to the applicant identifying the Mazoon and the coordinator for information and enquiries.
A second SMS is sent to a Mazoon providing the details of the application while a third is sent to the department’s coordinator/point of contact with similar information as received by the Mazoon.
Applicants need only visit the offices of the department to obtain a copy of the marriage contract.
After the wedding, the Mazoon immediately enters the information in his laptop, which is connected to the Judicial Department’s network.
The contract is immediately registered in the database and all information is then available for reference.
The Mazoon ‘to go’ scheme will be available every day of the week, including weekends.
The availability of the contract in both English and Arabic will help simplify the process of translating official documentation.
This will be helpful for expatriates who have limited or no Arabic skills, or if documents are required outside the UAE.
The contract is printed with the quality and fidelity characteristic of bank-notes, including water marks and special seals to eliminate counterfeiting.
All data will be kept confidential.
By Iman Sherif?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
