Civil Marriage Registration in Georgia: What You Should Know Before and After the Ceremony

Getting married in Georgia is a simple and fast process — especially when compared to many other countries. However, while the marriage registration itself takes only a few hours, certain pre- and post-wedding preparations may require more attention and time. Understanding these steps before traveling will help you avoid delays and unnecessary stress.

1. Before You Come to Georgia

Before you start your journey, it’s important to identify where you plan to present your marriage certificate afterward — your home country, your partner’s country, or a third country. Each country may have its own requirements for recognizing a marriage registered abroad.

For example, some countries require a Single Status Certificate (also known as a Certificate of No Impediment) before you can marry abroad. While this document is not required in Georgia, your home country might still demand it to recognize your marriage once you return. Therefore, always check with your local authorities before traveling.

2. The Marriage Registration Process in Georgia

In Georgia, the civil marriage registration process is very straightforward. You only need:

• Passports of both partners

• Residence cards (if applicable)

The process takes place at the House of Justice, and your marriage certificate is usually issued the same day.

3. After Marriage Registration: Apostille or Legalization

Once your marriage is registered, you will receive an official Georgian marriage certificate. To use it abroad, it must be either apostilled or legalized, depending on the country where it will be presented.

🔹 Apostille

An apostille is a type of international certification recognized by countries that are part of the Hague Convention. For instance, if your documents will be submitted in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, or other Hague member states, the apostille stamp is sufficient. In these cases, your Georgian marriage certificate will be accepted once it’s apostilled by the Justice House of Georgia.

🔹 Legalization

Some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, are not part of the Hague Convention. For these destinations, your documents must go through two-step legalization:

1. First step: Legalization at the Justice House of Georgia.

2. Second step: Legalization at the embassy of the destination country in Georgia (for example, the UAE Embassy).

4. Why Preparation Matters

Even though the registration process in Georgia is easy and fast, your country’s authorities might have additional requirements for recognizing the marriage. Some may ask for online submission, or require you to visit a specific office or city once you return.

That’s why it’s crucial to collect all necessary information about your country’s post-marriage procedures before you travel.