Kuwait approves mandatory pre-marital counseling and divorce reconciliation laws

The Kuwait Cabinet has approved draft amendments to the Notarization Law aimed at strengthening family stability and modernizing judicial services. Under the new regulations, couples will be required to complete a mandatory pre-marital counseling program before their marriage contract can be officially registered. This program will focus on the rights, duties, and responsibilities of married life, with specific details regarding duration and syllabus to be determined by the Minister of Justice.

To reduce family disputes, the amendments also introduce mandatory reconciliation efforts for couples seeking divorce or khul’. Before a divorce can be registered, parties must approach the Family Dispute Resolution Center to attempt a resolution. If reconciliation fails within a prescribed period, the registration process may proceed, though final court rulings and specific personal status cases will be excluded from this requirement.

Additionally, the legal changes include a digital transformation of notarization services. The government plans to implement electronic links between the Family Court Clerks’ Office and the Notary Public’s Office to automatically record judgments. Notarization may soon be conducted via approved electronic systems or video conferencing. The amendments also shift the responsibility for company document registrations from the government notary to the Commercial Registration Department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.