What Kind of Marriage can I legally have?
From the point of view of foreign nationals planning a legal marriage abroad, there are three main situations which prevail in the destination countries:
1. Both Civil & Religious Weddings are Legal
This means that a marriage which takes place in either a registry office (or similar) or a church has legal standing in the country, will be fully registered and thus recognised in your home country.
Couples can thus chose to have either a civil or a church wedding in these countries.
Note: In many countries only clergy in a limited number of religions are allowed to conduct legal marriages. Check individual country listings for details.
2. Only Civil Weddings are Legal
In these countries a civil wedding ceremony is a requirement for the legal registration of a marriage.
In such countries foreign couples can have a legal civil marriage which will be fully recognised in their home countries.
Couples can have a church wedding also, but it will have no legal status and can only take place provided there has already been a legal civil marriage either in the home or in the destination country.
3. Legal Marriage is Impractical
Generally these countries are those where extremely long residency requirements or other regulations make it impractical for couples not ordinarily resident in the country to have a legal marriage.
It is not feasible for foreign couples to legally marry. Couples can have a church wedding or a secular ceremony but the legal marriage will have to take place elsewhere.