Today, more and more couples are turning away from traditional weddings and opting to get married abroad in a more intimate setting, whether it’s due to the complexity and length of legal marriage in their own countries or a desire for a romantic ceremony in nature, such as in the mountains, by the sea, or at a lake.

It may seem that getting married abroad is difficult and expensive, leading many couples to forgo officially registering their relationship in this way. However, in many countries, it is quite easy to register a marriage and combine the pleasant with the useful by incorporating the marriage registration into a wedding trip.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE REGISTRATION ABROAD

Registering a marriage abroad can be a great option if:

• You are citizens of different countries and registering a marriage in your own countries is too complex and time-consuming, requiring many documents;
• You cannot travel to your country of citizenship;
• You need to register the marriage urgently;
• You have been denied marriage in your countries;
• You do not want to gather a million certificates;
• You belong to different faiths and cannot register a marriage in the country of residence as a result. For example, this restriction exists in Israel;

The reasons for getting married can be completely different:

• You simply want to live in an official marriage;
• One of the future spouses needs to obtain a so-called “bride/groom visa,” which simplifies entry into the country of joint residence;
• You plan to buy real estate together and have children;
• Love and other reasons.

Let’s delve into the main intricacies that you need to know if you cannot or find it too difficult to register a marriage in your countries and are considering the option of getting married abroad.

There are a number of common requirements for getting married in all countries. Typically, these include:

• reaching the legal marriage age established by the state;
• prohibition of marriage between close relatives, adoptive parents and children, guardians and wards;
• prohibition of marriage with individuals who are partially or fully legally incapacitated;
• explicit desire of the groom and bride;
• legal residence in the country;
• not being married, previous relationships ended.

Each country may also have its own nuances. For example, in France, you must spend at least 10 days in the country before the marriage date and undergo pre-registration (obtain permission for marriage), in Greece you will have to stay for one day in Athens, and in Mauritius, you will need to go to the capital city of Port Louis to sign the wedding documents a day before the ceremony. Therefore, we recommend clarifying the marriage registration conditions, the list of required documents, and any additional requirements in advance.

TOP 5 Countries Where Getting Married as a Foreigner Is Easiest:

1. Cuba
2. Denmark
3. Czech Republic
4. Turkey
5. Georgia

MARRIAGE IN CUBA

Cuba is a tropical blend of colorful beaches, lively music, delicious rum, an air of freedom, and love. It offers unforgettable experiences for a lifetime. Marriage registration in Cuba is conducted in Spanish, but you can hire a specialist to translate the ceremony into Russian. Often, relationships are registered at a hotel or on the beach. Among the significant benefits of getting married on the “island of freedom” is the visa-free regime. The downside is the budget. The price of airline tickets starts at 120,000 rubles for two. Also, when organizing a wedding, it is important to consider the time for acclimatization due to the time difference.

MARRIAGE IN DENMARK

Registering a marriage in Denmark is easiest for EU citizens, but it is also possible for foreigners. The entire process takes no less than a week. The following documents are required for marriage in Denmark:

1. Passport or EU identity card (all pages of the passport, including the cover, must be scanned)
2. Document confirming marital status:
   All persons residing in Germany or the EU must provide a residence certificate with a marital status indication. In Germany, this is the “Aufenthaltsbescheinigung mit Familienstandanzeige” which can be obtained from the registration office.
   All other citizens who are tourists in Germany or the EU must obtain a marital status certificate in their country. This document must be legalized with an apostille. The marital status document can also be issued at the embassy.
3. If applicable, a divorce certificate; A divorce decision outside the EU must be legalized with an apostille.
4. Certificates of birth of common children

MARRIAGE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic is a country with a special charm of the Middle Ages. The gothic architecture and picturesque narrow streets of Prague make for a memorable wedding backdrop. The main advantage of getting married in the Czech Republic is the variety of wedding venues. The country has a huge number of ancient mansions, exquisite hotels, and, of course, castles. The best time to visit the Czech Republic is in spring (from early April to mid-May) or in autumn (from late September to mid-November). The downside is the need for a Schengen visa and the not-so-short list of required documents.

So, in order for a marriage to be registered in the Czech Republic, for example, for citizens of the Russian Federation, the following documents must be provided (from each of the newlyweds):

1. Questionnaire of the newlyweds
2. Copy of the first page of the valid international passport
3. Copy of the valid general civil passport (first page, registration, page on marital status);
4. Birth certificate with an apostille;
5. Power of attorney for document processing in the Czech Republic;
6. In the case of a remarriage, it is also necessary to provide a copy of the divorce certificate or the death certificate (if the groom/bride is a widower/widow) with an apostille.

MARRIAGE IN TURKEY

Turkey – thanks to its mild climate, beautiful nature, and the special atmosphere that combines the East and the West, it rightfully becomes not only one of the most popular tourist destinations but also a popular destination for marriage registration. Relationships are formalized in Turkey’s Civil Registry Offices. In addition to the standard set of documents, for registration, it is necessary to provide a medical certificate of health after undergoing tests (blood from a vein). Examinations can only be conducted at medical institutions approved by the relevant Civil Registry Office. Typically, each Civil Registry Office has its own document requirements, so it is important to specify the exact list of documents on a case-by-case basis. Significant advantages include the country’s affordability and visa-free entry. The downside is, once again, the not-so-short list of documents and the need to wait in line.

The procedure for getting married in Turkey:

• Preparing documents in your home country. You need to apostille two essential documents without which marriage in Turkey is impossible: a birth certificate and a certificate of single status. It is better to bring a certificate from your country, obtained from authorized institutions, such as the Civil Registry Office, as obtaining it in Turkey can take a long time;
• You need to take 6 photos 3×4;
• You need to undergo tests and receive a health report (sağlık raporu) at a state clinic;
• Next, you need to submit an application to the local marriage registration service (evlendirme memurluğu) and choose a date.

Why did you decide to get married in Georgia? What other countries did you consider?

Answers from our couples who contacted us and chose Georgia for marriage.