Bahrain: must a husband declare that he is already married at the akad?

Yes. Under Bahrain Family Law No. 19/2017, the husband must declare his marital status; if already married, the ma'dhun records the existing wife's name and residence in the akad (article 19; Minister of Justice Decision 1/2016 article 9(3)). Registration is mandatory (article 18) and the husband must be just in maintenance and the rotation (article 39(d)). The wife may also put a condition in the akad that he will not marry again. This law unifies Sunni and Ja'fari provisions. Ministry of Justice data for 2020 show about 5.7% of Bahraini citizens' marriage contracts were polygynous, stable between 5.5% and 6.5% for 2015–2020. See Gulf states.