What are the Requirements for a Civil Wedding?
The following are all important things you need to check to decide whether a particular country is the right place for you to hold your wedding.
Many, in fact most, of the questions are answered right here on this site, but within countries there can be regional variations and even variations in what individual registrars require. For this reason it is very important that you have answers to all of these questions directly from the office of the wedding registrar (or whatever the equivalent title is) in the area where you will marry.
Important Questions to Ask
Can Foreign Nationals Avail of Legal Civil Marriage?
In most countries they can, although residency requirements may mean it is impractical.
What is the Residency Requirement?
This varies from none to several years, so is an important determinant whether or not is is feasible to have a legal civil marriage in a country.
What is the Minimum Age for Marriage?
Usually 18 without parental consent but in a few countries may be 21.
What Documentation is Required?
Most countries require the following, and even if they do not specify them it would be as well to have them anyway:
- A birth certificate for both parties to the marriage.
- If relevant, adoption, divorce or annulment certificates.
- If either of you are widowed bring a copy of your original marriage certificate and the death certificate of the deceased spouse.
- A valid passport, including any necessary visas, for both parties to the marriage.
- Evidence of freedom to marry, generally in the form of a "Certificate of Non-Impediment"
Many countries have specific requirements about how documents are submitted and/or have additional requirement to those listed above, so check these carefully.
Do Documents need to be Translated?
Many countries require that all documents are translated into the local language using approved translators. Usually the country's embassy will be able to provide a list of translators.
Do we need to Visit in Person Prior to the Wedding?
Some countries require that couples attend in person to submit their documentation at a date which may be some time in advance of the wedding.
Since this may entail a special trip to the country, at some expense, it is an important consideration.
What is the Timeframe for Submitting Documentation?
This can vary from just showing up with your documents and having a licence issued on the spot to several months, so be very clear on the timing involved.