Jail, KD1,000 fine for bypassing premarital training rules
New law requires couples to complete a premarital programme before their marriage contract is officially registered.
Kuwait has introduced new legal rules requiring couples to complete a premarital preparation programme before their marriage contract can be officially registered. Officials who approve a marriage without checking that both partners completed the programme may face up to one year in jail or a fine of up to KD 1,000.
The new rules are part of Decree-Law No. 122 of 2026, which amends some provisions of Kuwait’s Notarisation Law No. 10 of 2020. The changes are meant to make official procedures simpler, improve coordination between government bodies, and make legal records more reliable.
Under the new law, a marriage contract cannot be officially documented unless both husband and wife-to-be finish the required premarital qualification programme. The Minister of Justice will decide the programme content, how long it will take, the requirements for completion, and the authority in charge of applying it. Any exemptions will be explained in the executive regulations.
Government notaries and authorised marriage officials must confirm that both parties have completed the programme before authenticating the marriage contract. If they do not follow this rule, they may face imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to KD 1,000, or either penalty, without affecting any harsher punishment under other laws.
The amendments also allow some personal status procedures to be documented electronically and remotely. Authorised officials can complete certain steps through approved electronic systems and video communication. These measures are meant to make services easier to access while protecting identity and keeping official records valid.
The new changes are part of Kuwait’s wider effort to modernise its documentation system and strengthen legal protection for family-related matters.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.