What documents do foreigners need to get married in Georgia?

Georgia is one of the easiest and most accessible countries for foreign nationals to register their marriage. There are no residency requirements, and the registration process itself can take just 1–2 days. For couples from all over the world, this is an excellent opportunity to legally register their marriage without unnecessary bureaucracy – provided that all documents, translations, and Apostille requirements are prepared correctly in advance.

Proper document preparation is the foundation of the entire marriage registration process in Georgia – and at the same time, one of its main potential pitfalls. Mistakes in translations, missing Apostilles, or inconsistencies in the transliteration of names can cause serious problems and even jeopardize your ceremony at the last minute.

I, Wedding planner Elina, have prepared a clear and up-to-date checklist of the documents foreign nationals need to get married in Georgia in 2026:

Georgia’s family law is among the most accessible for foreign couples. Almost any couple can legally register their marriage here, regardless of nationality or religious beliefs.

You can legally get married in Georgia if you meet the following requirements:

• You are at least 18 years old. Both partners must have reached the age of 18.
• You do not need to be a Georgian citizen. Neither partner is required to hold Georgian citizenship, a residence permit, or resident status. Citizens of virtually any country can get married in Georgia.
• Your religion does not matter. Georgia is a secular state. An official civil marriage does not require proof of religious status or affiliation with any particular faith.
• You are legally present in Georgia. You have a valid passport with an entry stamp, an e-Visa, or a residence permit.
• You are not already married. Neither partner can be in another valid marriage. A previous marriage must have been legally terminated, with divorce or widowhood confirmed by official documents.
• You are entering the marriage voluntarily. Both partners must be personally present at the registration and give their consent to the marriage.
• You are an opposite-sex couple. Under Georgia’s Family Code, an official civil marriage can only be registered between a man and a woman.

You do not need to own property in Georgia, live in the country for a specific period, or undergo complicated background checks in order to get married.

Preparing your marriage documents for Georgia is relatively straightforward, but it requires careful attention to legal formalities. To avoid delays on the day of registration, it is important to prepare the complete document package correctly in advance.

1. International passports

The main identity document

Both partners must provide their original international passports. The main requirement is that the passports are valid on the date of marriage registration and contain personal details in Latin script. In Georgia, the passports are translated into Georgian, and the translations must be certified by a Georgian notary.

2. Divorce or death certificate of a former spouse

Required only if either partner is remarrying

If you have been married before, you will need the original official document confirming the termination of your previous marriage. Depending on the country where it was issued, the document must have an Apostille or consular legalization. Once in Georgia, it is translated into Georgian and notarized.

3. Visa or entry stamp

Proof of legal entry into the country

Citizens of more than 90 countries, including EU countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, CIS countries, the UAE, and others, do not need a visa to enter Georgia and receive an entry stamp upon arrival. If you are a citizen of a country subject to Georgia’s visa requirements, such as India, the Philippines, or certain countries in Africa and Asia, you will need to obtain an electronic e-Visa or a regular visa in advance.

4. Travel health insurance

A mandatory document for entering Georgia

Under Georgia’s Law on Tourism, from January 1, 2026, every foreign tourist must have health insurance covering the entire period of their stay, with minimum coverage of GEL 30,000 – approximately $11,000 / €10,000. The policy must be arranged in advance and the document must be available in English or Georgian.

5. Witness documents

Two people are required to sign the marriage register

The ceremony requires two adult witnesses. They only need to provide clear copies of their international passports, which are also translated into Georgian and notarized. Witnesses must be present at the registration, but their nationality and relationship to the couple do not matter.

You do not need to worry about finding translators, checking Apostilles, or dealing with the legal details yourself. I can take care of the entire process for you.

I am Wedding planner Elina, and I have extensive practical experience arranging marriage registrations for couples from all over the world. I handle the entire document preparation process from start to finish. You simply send me clear scans of your documents, and I personally check every stamp and transliteration, arrange official notarized translations into Georgian, accompany you to the House of Justice, and, if necessary, provide official witnesses. By the time you arrive in Georgia, everything is already prepared – so you can simply enjoy your wedding day.

Where can foreigners register their marriage in Georgia?

One of Georgia’s key advantages is the freedom to choose where your marriage takes place. Georgian law does not restrict foreign couples to a specific city, district, or government office for their official marriage registration.

Where can you register your marriage?

1. House of Justice. A modern and efficient option for couples who want to complete the legal formalities without a lengthy ceremony, receive their marriage certificate, and then continue with their travel plans or celebrate at a restaurant.
2. Wedding Palace. A dedicated state ceremony venue with a more traditional and festive atmosphere, where the marriage registration can take place in an elegant setting, accompanied by music. Wedding Palaces are available in cities such as Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, and Sighnaghi.
3. An outdoor ceremony anywhere in Georgia. If you dream of getting married in a beautiful outdoor setting, you are not limited to a government building. An official civil registrar can travel to your chosen location and conduct the legal marriage registration there, including the signing of the marriage register.

Outdoor marriage registration can be arranged in a wide range of locations: among the spectacular mountains of Kazbegi and Gudauri, at wineries and chateaus in Kakheti, on the Black Sea coast in Batumi, in atmospheric courtyards in Old Tbilisi, or on intimate terraces overlooking the mountains in Sighnaghi. Wherever you choose to say “I do,” your marriage registration can be completed as an official Georgian civil marriage and have full legal validity.

For many international couples, getting legally married abroad can seem complicated and confusing. In my work, I make the process as clear, structured, and comfortable as possible. I simply break the entire journey down into clear, manageable steps, so you always know what happens and when.

Here is what the marriage registration process looks like in 2026:

1. Prepare and check your documents

Remotely, before you arrive

You send me clear scans of your international passports and, if applicable, your divorce certificate. I check the documents and personal details, send them to an accredited translator, and arrange their notarized translation into Georgian.

2. Submit the application and witness documents

Official registration with the authorities

The notarized Georgian translations of the two witnesses’ passports are prepared in advance. Once the full document package is ready, the application is submitted to the relevant government authority – the House of Justice or Wedding Palace – and the exact date and time of your ceremony are arranged.

3. Marriage ceremony and signing the register

Personal attendance

At the appointed time, you and your witnesses, accompanied by me, arrive at the House of Justice or your chosen outdoor venue. Once you sign the official marriage register, you are legally married.

4. Receive your marriage certificate

Official document issued by the authorities

The state registrar issues your official Georgian marriage certificate on the day of registration. The document contains a unique registration number and is recorded in Georgia’s central state database.

5. Legalization and Apostille

Making your marriage documents valid internationally

To ensure that your Georgian marriage certificate can be recognized in your home country or country of residence, it may need to be apostilled or legalized through the relevant consular procedure, depending on the country. The certificate is then translated into the language required by the authorities in your country.

6. Notify the authorities in your country of residence

Completing the process back home

Once you return home, you submit the apostilled or legalized marriage certificate together with its translation to the relevant civil registry, government authority, or municipality to have your marital status updated, if required under local law.

Throughout the entire process, I personally guide you from the first document check via messenger to the delivery of your completed certificate by express courier directly to your home. You never have to navigate the bureaucracy alone – I take care of the details so the entire process is clear, organized, and stress-free from start to finish.

A Georgian marriage certificate is an official government document that can be recognized internationally after the required legalization procedure.

What does a Georgian marriage certificate look like?

It is an official government-issued certificate printed on a document bearing the state emblem and completed in Georgian. It contains:

1. The full names, dates of birth, nationalities, and passport details of both spouses.
2. The date, time, and place of the marriage registration.
3. The surnames chosen by the spouses after marriage.
4. A unique registration number and QR code/barcode for online verification through Georgia’s unified state registry.
5. A hologram, official stamp of the House of Justice, and registrar’s signature.

When is the marriage certificate issued?

The original certificate is issued on the day of the ceremony – usually just a few minutes after you and your witnesses sign the official marriage register.

How do you prepare the certificate for use in your home country?

For the document to have legal effect in your country of residence, it may need to be legalized. The process generally consists of two steps:

1. Apostille or consular legalization. For most countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, an Apostille is placed on the document in Georgia. For countries that are not parties to the Convention, such as the UAE and Qatar, consular legalization is used instead.
2. Notarized translation. The legalized marriage certificate is translated from Georgian into the official language of your country (or into English) and the translation is notarized. This can be done either in Georgia or after you return home, depending on the requirements of the relevant authorities.

Standard legalization usually takes between 1 and 20 business days, depending on the procedure required. If you do not want to wait in Georgia, I can arrange the legalization after your departure and send the completed document to your home by express courier.

Getting legally married abroad is a wonderful experience that should be remembered for the joy of the occasion – not for worrying about documents, paperwork, or queues. I take care of the entire legal and organizational process so your marriage registration is simple, smooth, and stress-free.

How I can help your couple

• Legal peace of mind. I personally check every document, translation, and transliteration before you even book your flights.
• Translations and legalization from start to finish. I arrange notarized translations, submit the necessary documents, and organize express delivery of your legalized marriage certificate anywhere in the world.
• Witnesses and personal assistance. I provide official witnesses when needed, accompany you throughout the ceremony, and coordinate the entire schedule.
• Any wedding format. I can arrange anything from a simple legal registration at the House of Justice to a beautiful outdoor ceremony in the mountains of Kazbegi, on the coast of Batumi, or at a chateau in Kakheti.

If you have questions about the required documents or simply want to understand the marriage registration requirements for your country, send me a message. I’ll be happy to advise you and explain where it is best to start.