Oman Judicial Council refutes social media claims on spousal approval before marrying another woman

Muscat: The Oman Judicial Council has refuted circulating claims on social media that husbands need to obtain approval from their first wife before marrying another woman.

The Council clarified that this is not a national law but a procedure followed by certain foreign embassies.

In a statement, the Council confirmed that the requirement only applies to some foreign embassies, and it pertains to their citizens residing in Oman.

These embassies require their citizens to obtain consent from their first wife before documenting a polygamous marriage contract at notary public departments in Oman.

The statement reads: “The Supreme Judicial Council has followed with interest what has been circulated on social media regarding the requirement for a husband to obtain his first wife’s approval to marry another woman. The Council confirms that this procedure only concerns certain foreign embassies that require their citizens residing in the Sultanate of Oman to obtain the first wife’s approval when documenting the marriage contract at the notary public departments in Oman.”

In a significant move towards social reform, Oman also eliminated the requirement for state permission to marry a foreign national.

This change came into effect in April 2023, with a royal decree issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. The decree cancelled a 1993 law that previously required the interior ministry’s approval for Omanis to marry foreigners.

The decree, Royal Decree 23/2023, stipulates that marriages must adhere to Sharia law, public order, and certain government regulations regarding foreign spouses. Marriages previously deemed illegal can now be legalized.

Omani nationals make up just over half of the population, which is approximately 3.9 million people.

-- Fahad Al Mukrashi is a freelance journalist based in Oman