Getting married abroad isn’t just about romance beneath the Eiffel Tower or a ceremony by the Aegean Sea. It also involves many practical questions – chief among them: will the marriage be legally recognized in your home country? The legal side of the process concerns more and more couples, especially those planning a life together, dealing with paperwork, changing their last name, or relocating.
At first glance, it seems simple: if you’ve signed the papers, you’re married. But international family law is far more complex than it appears, and each country has its own nuances. Some countries recognize foreign marriages automatically, while others require additional procedures. These details can play a crucial role in a couple’s future.
So, should you be worried about getting married abroad? Based on our many years of experience working with international couples and our understanding of international legal practice, we can confidently say – no. But let’s break it down.
Is a marriage concluded abroad legal?
To answer this question clearly, two key factors must be considered: the country in which the marriage was performed, and the country where you intend to live. Legal frameworks vary greatly between countries, and what is easily recognized in one place may require additional verification or legalization in another.
Take Georgia, for example. It has become one of the most popular wedding destinations for foreign couples – and for good reason. Georgian law is very accommodating toward marriages between foreign nationals, and the registration process is simple and transparent. Upon completing the ceremony, you receive an official government-issued marriage certificate that holds legal validity worldwide. Whether you reside in the U.S., the U.K., the UAE, the Philippines, or elsewhere, this document is considered valid, provided it is correctly issued and, if needed, apostilled.
Similar rules apply in most other internationally recognized countries. However, there are important nuances. In some cases, a marriage concluded abroad might not be automatically recognized, and that’s where international law comes into play.
For instance:
- According to the 1978 Hague Convention, which applies in several countries, states are obligated to recognize civil status acts (including marriages) registered in other countries, provided that all formal requirements have been met.
- In European Union countries, there is a principle of mutual recognition of civil status documents, including marriage certificates.
Therefore, the fact that a marriage takes place abroad does not make it illegal. The key is to follow the proper procedures and understand how the recognition of foreign documents works in your country of residence.
Why a marriage concluded abroad may not be legally recognized
While in most cases foreign marriages are recognized by countries around the world, not all such unions are automatically considered legal. What may appear to be a simple procedure often hides dozens of nuances that determine the legal validity of a marriage in the country where you reside permanently.
Government authorities typically take into account not only where and how the marriage was performed, but also whether the union aligns with the legal, ethical, and cultural norms of their own country. In some cases, this can lead to a refusal to recognize the marriage–or even to its legal annulment.
Here are the key reasons a foreign marriage may be deemed invalid:
- Failure to meet the minimum legal age for marriage
Even if the country where the marriage was registered allows marriage from the age of 16, your home country may not recognize the union if one of the spouses has not reached the legal age, typically 18 years old - Bigamy or violation of the principle of monogamy
Most countries around the world adhere to the principle of monogamy, meaning a second marriage is not possible until the first is legally dissolved. In the European Union, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, polygamy is prohibited, and a second union will not be recognized, even if it was legally concluded abroad. However, in a number of Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, or Iran, polygamy is legally permitted and a man may have multiple wives. Nonetheless, such marriages are not recognized in most countries where bigamy is prohibited. - Marriage between close relatives
Marriages between relatives that are permitted in one country may contradict the laws and moral standards of another. For example, in France, marriage between first cousins is legally allowed and officially registered. However, if such a couple decides to move to a U.S. state where such unions are banned (e.g., Kentucky, Texas, or Mississippi), their marriage will not be considered valid. - Sham marriage
If it is discovered that the purpose of the marriage was not to create a family but to obtain citizenship, a visa, or other benefits, the union may be annulled and considered fraudulent. - Lack of voluntary consent
Coercion, pressure, blackmail, or any other form of involuntary agreement renders a marriage legally void in most legal systems. - Mental incapacity of one of the spouses
If one of the partners was intoxicated, mentally unwell, or legally incapacitated at the time of registration, this calls the legality of the marriage into question. - Failure to meet the formal requirements of marriage
Religious or symbolic ceremonies conducted without the involvement of official civil authorities are not considered valid in countries that recognize only civil marriage registration. - Lack of legalization or apostille
A marriage certificate issued abroad must be properly processed – either with an apostille or through consular legalization. Without this, the document may be rejected by civil registry offices, immigration services, or courts. - Violation of public order
If a marriage contradicts the fundamental legal principles of your country, such as a same-sex union in a state where such marriages are not recognized, it will have no legal force, despite being valid abroad. For example, same-sex marriages are recognized and registered in countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, and France. However, in a number of other countries, including Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and most nations in the Middle East and Africa, such unions are not only unrecognized but may also carry serious legal consequences.
Registering a marriage abroad is not just a passport stamp or a romantic photo shoot. For such a union to be legally valid in your home country, it must comply with the requirements of both the country where it was performed and the legal norms of your country of residence. That’s why, before traveling to another country to get married, it’s essential not only to choose the right location but also to carefully research the legal implications of such a decision.
Legalization of a marriage concluded abroad
If you want your marriage to be legally recognized in your country of residence, it’s important to understand that registration at a foreign registry office alone is not enough. In most cases, an additional procedure is required – the legalization of the marriage certificate.
What is legalization?
Legalization is the official confirmation of the authenticity of a foreign document, required for it to be recognized in another country. It does not verify the content of the document but confirms that it was indeed issued by a competent authority and certified in accordance with local regulations.
There are two main types of legalization:
Apostille – a simplified form of legalization
If both countries involved in recognizing the document are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention, it is sufficient to place a special stamp (apostille) on the original or a notarized copy of the marriage certificate.
Example: If you are a German citizen, got married in France, and want the marriage to be legally recognized in Germany, you need to:
- Obtain the original French marriage certificate (acte de mariage),
- Have it apostilled in France (usually done by the prefecture or Ministry of Justice),
- Translate the document into German with notarization (if required),
- Submit it to the Standesamt or Ausländerbehörde (if the marriage affects immigration status).
The apostille is recognized in all Hague Convention countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Australia, and others.
Consular legalization (if apostille is not applicable)
If at least one of the countries is not a party to the Hague Convention, the apostille is not valid, and consular legalization must be used instead. This process is more complex and requires step-by-step certification from government authorities in both countries.
Example: If you are a citizen of the UAE, where the apostille is not used, and you got married in Georgia:
- The marriage certificate must be certified by the Georgian Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Then it must be legalized at the UAE embassy in Georgia.
- After that, it must be translated into Arabic and further notarized or certified by the UAE authorities.
- Only then can the document be submitted to the relevant authorities in the UAE.
What you need to do for your marriage to be recognized:
- Obtain the original marriage certificate.
- Determine whether an apostille or full legalization is required.
- Have the document apostilled or undergo consular legalization.
- Make an official translation.
- Submit the documents to the appropriate authorities in your country – registry office, immigration services, courts, etc.
To make a marriage concluded abroad legally valid, it’s not enough to simply follow the laws of the country where it was registered. You must also properly legalize the documents in accordance with international requirements. An apostille is the easiest and fastest option, but in some cases, full consular legalization is required. Ignoring these formalities can result in your marriage not being officially recognized, leaving you unprotected in matters of citizenship, taxation, and property rights.
To avoid complications with legalization, you can always turn to the wedding agency Shu Wedding – we’ll ensure your wedding in Georgia is flawless and handle all the paperwork to make sure your marriage is recognized anywhere in the world.
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