Beginning January 1, 2026, Omani citizens planning marriage must undergo compulsory premarital medical examinations under a new royal decree issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The landmark legislation, Royal Decree No. 111/2025 on Regulation of Premarital Medical Examination, establishes comprehensive health screening requirements for all nationals seeking to marry, whether their marriage contract is finalized within Oman or abroad.
The mandate requires both prospective spouses to complete medical evaluations at authorized health institutions. These facilities are responsible for confidentially disclosing examination results directly to the individuals involved and providing appropriate medical counseling based on the findings. Crucially, test results are protected from third-party disclosure under the new regulations.
Following examination, health institutions must issue an official certificate confirming compliance with the screening requirement. Marriage officiants are legally prohibited from solemnizing any union until this documentation is presented by both parties.
Significant penalties await those violating the decree, including imprisonment ranging from ten days to six months and/or financial penalties between 100 and 1,000 Omani Riyals. The legislation represents Oman’s latest public health initiative aimed at identifying potential health concerns before marriage.
The move aligns with regional trends, as neighboring UAE implemented its own mandatory premarital screening program in January 2025, including genetic testing components for all citizen couples. Oman’s approach emphasizes both public health protection and individual privacy safeguards while creating a standardized national framework for marital health screening.