Legal requirements for marriage in Qatar

Each country has its own laws and requirements for marriage. Depending on the legal status of the future spouses (citizens or foreigners) these requirements may vary. Therefore, before preparing for your wedding, you should definitely find out what the rules are for getting married in the country where you want to get married.

In Georgia, for example, it is very easy to legalize a relationship. You apply and you can have your wedding the very next day. 

You can get married without being a citizen and without a residence permit. You are not required to practice any religion and the two things you really need are to attend the ceremony in person and to have witnesses.

If you would like to learn more about weddings in Georgia, contact the managers at Shu Wedding Agency and we will be sure to answer any questions you may have.

As for getting married in the Philippines, especially if one of the partners is a foreigner, things are much more complicated.

Marriage between foreigners or to a foreign citizen causes a lot of difficulties in many countries.  This is especially true in countries that practice Islam. In these countries there is often a symbiosis of church and secular authority. That is, religious beliefs and norms from the sacred scriptures are on a par with the law or may replace it altogether.

Foreigners who are not practicing Muslims may be uncomfortable and experience societal pressure in the first few months of their stay in these countries. Many Islamic states restrict the ability of their citizens to marry foreigners or impose stricter requirements.

Qatar does not have the same strict rules as some other Islamic states, but it does have certain requirements for foreigners.

What documents do I need for a wedding in Qatar?

Before you start the process of collecting documents, you need to visit the embassy of your country. The embassy staff will explain to you all the nuances of the procedure and provide you with a complete list of required documents. Keep in mind that some consulates may ask you for information about your partner.

If you’re looking to get married in Qatar, it’s essential to be acquainted with the processes and requirements set by the country’s authorities. Firstly, the family court in Qatar is the authorized entity that issues marriage certificates. Before you can obtain one, you must meet certain criteria and adhere to the stipulated family court Qatar marriage requirements. It’s always recommended to familiarize oneself with these specifications in advance to ensure a smooth and hassle-free marital registration process in the country.

In special cases, the embassy may refuse to perform the marriage.

The basic documents you may need, regardless of your citizenship, include:

• Birth certificate.
• Passport or a document that replaces it.
• Documents proving that you are not currently married.
• A marriage license or certificate of no impediment to the marriage.
• Certificate of divorce or death of your partner if you are not getting married for the first time.
• Results of a genetic test.

You should pay special attention to genetic screening. This examination is mandatory and both partners must undergo it before marriage. 

Unlike the practice of medical screening used in the UAE, the tests in Qatar are aimed only at finding genetic abnormalities and calculating possible risks. This is due to the frequent practice of blood marriages, unions between cousins and more distant relatives. The genetic test lets the couple know what the likelihood is of genetic complications in their future children.

The test results are not a reason to forbid a wedding; the man and woman will be interviewed and all possible consequences explained.

Approximately 77% of the residents of Qatar are Muslim and Sharia law applies in the country. This means that unmarried couples cannot live together, much less have children outside of marriage. To protect themselves, many decide to legalize their relationship.

The speed of the marriage process in Qatar depends on your individual situation, the requirements presented to you at the embassy and how quickly you can gather all the necessary documents.

A wedding in Qatar is not the most complicated event, but you will not be able to organize it in a day. That is why many couples are looking for alternative ways to solve this problem.

The easiest way to get married in the shortest possible time is to choose a country with a loyal legislation and minimum requirements for foreigners. One of these countries is Georgia.

In order to get married in Georgia you will need:

• Apply to get married, which you can do online.
• Be present at the wedding in person.
• Have two witnesses (we can provide them for you).

You do not need to be a citizen of Georgia or have a residence permit, there is no need for a medical examination or a certain creed. All you need to do is contact the Shu Wedding Agency for help and we will arrange the wedding of your dreams as soon as possible.

A few frequently asked questions about marriage in Qatar:

How to register marriage certificate in Qatar?

To register a marriage certificate in Qatar, one must go through the process of attestation. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Initiate the attestation process in your own country before proceeding with the Qatari authorities.

• Notary Verification: Your marriage certificate should first get a Notary seal from your home country.
• HRD Endorsement: Secure validation from the Human Resource Department (HRD) of your country.
• MEA Validation: After HRD, seek an endorsement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• Qatar Embassy Attestation: Once the MEA validates your document, forward it to the Qatar Embassy in your country for their official seal.
• MOFA Attestation: As a final step, once you’re in Qatar, ensure that your document is endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to be legally recognized.

By following these steps, you can successfully register and authenticate your marriage certificate for use in Qatar.

How to get married in Qatar for Indian?

To get married in Qatar for an Indian national, follow these steps:

Ensure Eligibility. At least one partner should be an Indian citizen with a valid Qatar resident visa.

Prepare Necessary Documents:

• Copies of passports and Qatar IDs for both the bride and groom.
• Attested identity proofs of parents (like passport copy, voter ID, Aadhaar card, etc.) from any Indian government authority. These should be validated by a notary public or the Indian Embassy.
• In case any parent has passed away, you need an attested copy of the death certificate.
• A certificate of singleness or bachelorhood from the jurisdictional Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or a competent court in India. This certificate must be attested by the concerned State Home department and then by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
• Passport copies and Qatar IDs of three Indian witnesses.
• Five passport-sized photos of both the bride and groom.
• Submit the Documents at the Indian Embassy: Once all documents are in place, submit them to the Embassy of India in Qatar to initiate the civil marriage registration process.

Ensure that all document copies are clear, and it might be advisable to keep additional copies on hand in case of any requirements. It’s also beneficial to check with the Indian Embassy for any additional or updated requirements before proceeding.

How to get married in Qatar for Filipino?

To get married in Qatar for Filipinos, follow the steps below:

Eligibility. Ensure that both parties are Filipino citizens. The Philippine Embassy in Qatar only solemnizes marriages between two Filipinos.

Prepare and Gather Necessary Documents:

• Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from NSO, authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Ensure you have the original and 4 copies.
• Birth Certificate of both bride and groom from NSO, authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Provide the original and 4 copies.
• Copy of the photo and signature page of both parties’ passports, with an additional 4 copies each.
• Six 1X1 size photos for both bride and groom.
• A Letter of No Objection to Marry from the employers of both parties.
• Joint Affidavit of Intention to get married, which should be notarized by the Embassy.
• Wedding Announcement or Notice. This needs to be posted for a minimum of 10 working days before the intended wedding date.
• Application for Marriage License issued by the Philippine Embassy in Qatar.
• Submission of Documents: Submit all the aforementioned documents to the Philippine Embassy in Doha.

Wedding Ceremony. Once the embassy processes the application, a wedding date will be scheduled. The wedding ceremony will take place at the embassy premises.

Receiving the Marriage Contract. After the wedding ceremony, the original marriage contract will be issued by the embassy.

It’s advisable to consult with the Philippine Embassy in Qatar for any additional or updated requirements before initiating the process.