Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait announced plans for a mandatory marriage preparation course during a press conference on September 13, 2026 as part of broader legal reforms. The course will serve as a prerequisite for documenting marriage contracts similar to the existing premarital medical examination requirement. Al-Sumait stated that the initiative seeks to raise awareness of marital responsibilities and contribute to greater family stability across the country. The new Documentation Law has been completed and is undergoing finalization prior to issuance.
The requirement forms one element of the Documentation Law that will also shift marriage registration toward fully electronic processes. These procedures will link with systems at the Ministry of Health and the Public Authority for Civil Information for identity verification and presence confirmation. Al-Sumait added that the changes include authentication by the marriage officiant through digital means.
Central Statistical Administration figures show that 45,103 Kuwaiti citizens were recorded as divorced by the end of June 2026. Women accounted for 27,698 of the cases while men totaled 17,405 according to the same data. Citizens aged 35 to 49 formed the largest group among those divorced with a smaller number of cases recorded for those under age 20.
A Ministry of Justice report covering November 2025 placed the rate of registered marriages at one every 34 minutes and divorces at one every 75 minutes. Kuwaiti couples represented 58.7 percent of the 595 divorces recorded that month according to the ministry’s Statistics and Research Department. Earlier voluntary premarital programs such as Wefaq organized by the Ministry of Justice have been associated with divorce rate reductions of approximately 25 percent among participants in assessments by the ministry.
Al-Sumait outlined additional provisions in the forthcoming law that address post-divorce child access arrangements. Divorced mothers who prevent justified access could face judicial fines while fathers would gain rights to daily video communication with children at any time. The minister described these measures as part of a wider family protection program launched two months earlier with full details scheduled for release next month.
The family protection program includes comprehensive restructuring of related procedures and enhanced training for staff involved in family affairs. Al-Sumait noted that some personnel require further qualification to meet the updated standards. These reforms coincide with other legislation under preparation including updates to the Personal Status Law and the establishment of a dedicated Family Court.
