How to get married abroad - beautiful places and cost of celebrations abroad

The proximity of a country (Western Europe) does not always mean budgetary investments. Sometimes a luxurious wedding with full registration can be arranged on a remote tropical island. Only professionals should do this.

You can find more information on the topic in the Wedding Abroad section.

Wedding abroad

All lovers want their wedding to be an unforgettable event and to be held at the highest level. Today, young people planning to get married have great opportunities to organize a wedding of the highest standard. There are agencies on the market that specialize in organizing and holding celebrations, both in Russia and abroad. And tour operators have a huge number of ready-made wedding tours in their assortment; all that remains is to choose a suitable tour package and start preparing for the cherished day!

Official registration of marriage abroad

The Family Code of the Russian Federation, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 158, allows marriage between citizens of Russia outside the country in compliance with the legislation of the state in whose territory they are concluded, if there are no circumstances provided for in Article 14 of the Code that prevent marriage. That is, those getting married are not married and are not close relatives, then nothing prevents them from getting married where they wish.

In order for a marriage concluded abroad to be recognized as legal on the territory of the Russian Federation, the laws of the country where the wedding ceremony is taking place must also be observed. True, the laws in each country differ, which also needs to be taken into account when choosing a wedding location.

For example, in order to register a marriage in France, at least one of the spouses must remain in the country continuously from 40 days to three months before the marriage; the exact period of stay is indicated by the mayor's office. If the bride and groom do not permanently reside in France, then fulfilling this requirement can become a serious obstacle to the fulfillment of their dreams. And in Muslim countries, only those foreigners who profess Islam will be able to register a marriage.

Marriage abroad can be registered at the consulates of the Russian Federation, or at the relevant authorities of a foreign state. And yet, experts have compiled a list of countries where the legislation is most favorable for the marriage of foreigners. It includes: Australia, Austria, Greece, Dominican Republic, Iceland, Italy, Cyprus, Cuba, Mauritius, Seychelles, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, Jamaica and the USA.

The marriage registration procedure in each of these countries has its own nuances, but they can be easily resolved if professionals get down to business. Therefore, in order to have the wedding of your dreams, you should not refuse the help of specialists who will take on the organizational and legal hassle. You should contact an agency that organizes the registration of marriages abroad approximately three months before the desired wedding date in order to calmly resolve all the necessary legal formalities.

A marriage entered into in the above countries will be considered valid both in Russia and in other states that have signed the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, abolishing the requirement for legalization of foreign official documents.

An approximate list of documents that will need to be collected to register a marriage abroad:

• Russian passports of the spouses;
• Birth certificates;
• Certificates of marital status;
• Divorce certificates (if one of the parties was previously married);
• Death certificates of the former spouse, if applicable;
• Previous marriage certificates, where applicable;
• Certificates of change of surname.

However, it must be taken into account that the requirements for the documents provided may vary in each country. Moreover, the requirements for documents may vary in different cities of the same country. Exactly what documents need to be provided to organize a wedding ceremony in a particular country can be found on the websites of companies involved in organizing weddings abroad.

After you have collected all the documents, they need to be translated into the language of the country where the wedding ceremony will take place, apostilled and legalized at the consulate of that country. You will also need to comply with the formalities that the laws of the countries provide for persons wishing to get married.

In Cuba, an official wedding ceremony can only be organized in a hotel, but this is not a problem! In order to register a marriage in Greece, you need to stay in Athens for at least a day. If you want to get married in Mauritius, you will have to sign the marriage documents in the capital of the island, Port Louis. In Thailand, only those Russians who are registered with the Russian Embassy or have a permit for permanent residence in the country will be able to sign. To register a marriage in the Seychelles, you need to arrive in the country at least 11 days before the ceremony, but you can rest a little and acclimatize. And in Sri Lanka, only couples are signed in which the bride and groom are already 21 years old and have spent 4 nights in the country before the official ceremony.

After registering the marriage, the newlyweds receive a marriage certificate. It will need to be translated into Russian and legalized at the consulate of the country where the wedding took place. If this country is acceded to the Hague Convention, then problems with legalization should not arise. After an apostille is placed on the marriage certificate, it will be considered legal in Russia and in all other countries that have joined the Hague Convention.

Legalization of a marriage certificate may take some time. Especially if the wedding took place in Cuba or the Dominican Republic, the legalization process can take up to six months.

After apostilling the marriage certificate, you can go to the registry office with it and have your passports stamped. If the bride wants to take her husband’s surname after marriage, then a corresponding statement should be attached to the marriage certificate. Keep in mind that in many countries the bride's premarital surname appears on the wedding certificate. But for those who get married in Austria, the Czech Republic or Slovenia, it will be easier. In these countries, the new surnames of the spouses are immediately indicated on the marriage certificate.

The cost of organizing marriage registration abroad varies depending on the country, flight distance, choice of hotel, number of guests, etc. This is an individual tour, the cost of which will be clear after you have decided on all the details. For those who are not ready to spend a lot, countries such as Cyprus and Greece are suitable, and if you don’t mind the money, you can organize a wedding somewhere on distant exotic islands.

Wedding abroad

Abroad, you can not only get married, but also have a wedding ceremony. In the countries of the Czech Republic, Israel, Italy, Spain, Greece, France and Cyprus, it is possible to have a wedding in an Orthodox church.

Newlyweds may need the following documents for the wedding ceremony:

• baptismal certificate;
• official written permission from your church (you can ask the rector for this);
• marriage and birth certificate;
• newlyweds may be asked to sign a document confirming that they are baptized, are not related and have not previously married in a church marriage;
• Divorced people must provide a certificate of dissolution of their previous marriage and permission from the church to remarry.

Those who want to combine civil registration with a wedding ceremony are better off going to Cyprus, where they will not require you to provide a marriage certificate in advance.

Similarly, as in the case of concluding an official marriage, the requirements for the set of documents provided may vary depending on the country. Somewhere additional certificates may be required, while in another country, on the contrary, there will be fewer formalities.

Symbolic wedding

The most convenient option in terms of time and money is a symbolic wedding ceremony. There is no need to fill out documents or prepare in advance. You also do not have to deal with legalization of documents. In order to hold a symbolic wedding, you do not need to comply with any legal formalities.

A symbolic wedding ceremony can be organized anywhere in the world, absolutely anywhere: in a medieval castle, in the air, under water, on a picturesque uninhabited island, etc. If the country where you would like to get married is not a member of the Hague Convention or does not allow a formal wedding ceremony for religious reasons (Maldives), then a symbolic wedding is a great alternative.

The newlyweds will be sealed by the captain of a pirate ship, a shaman or a cult priest, or a mythical character. It all depends on your imagination and financial capabilities.

A symbolic ceremony can be a wonderful addition to your honeymoon. Many couples sign at the registry office, and then go abroad, where they have the wedding of their dreams, which they will remember for the rest of their lives. Moreover, even if you have been married for a long time, you can safely arrange a symbolic wedding for yourself in order to feel like a bride and groom again!

Where and how to hold an official wedding?

Countries

If everything is clear with a symbolic celebration and it can be done anywhere, then with an official one it is more difficult. So, the list of states where a couple can sign abroad:

• Europe: in Slovenia, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic, France and Spain. Breathtaking landscapes, aristocratic castles and villas, near a lake or forest. The air is literally saturated with romance, interesting streets, all of these, of course, are European cities that often captivate the hearts of lovers;

• islands: in Cuba, the Grenadines, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Seychelles, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mauritius, Bahamas, Barbados, Cyprus and Crete. These options are for lovers of exotic beauty, blue clear seas and hot weather. A wedding held in such a place will definitely be remembered for a long time;

• Near Abroad – Ukraine, Latvia, Bulgaria, Belarus also formalize relations between Russians on their territories;

• other states: Türkiye, United States of America, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand. They will also officially register the marriage, which will be valid in the Russian Federation.
  Read also:  Power of attorney from the General Director for the right to sign

But, for example, Thailand, Egypt, China and the United Arab Emirates, which are so popular among Russian residents, do not allow you to legally start a family, that is, sign, but they can carry out excellent on-site registration.

What documents are needed

You also need to know that the official organization of a marriage abroad has a number of important points, this concerns the necessary papers and the legalization of a marriage in Russia. So, you will need:

• passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, 2 pcs.;
• birth certificate of the bride and groom;
• certificates from a notary certifying marital status;
• certificates of termination of marriage or death of the previous spouse, if they were previously married;
• a document taken from the civil registry office stating that there are no legal obstacles to the marriage;
• certificate of change of surname, if it was different before.

This package of papers must be notarized while still in Russia, and also translated into the language of the country in which you want to sign.

Don't forget about copies of these papers.

On certificates of divorce, birth and death of one of the spouses, an apostille is placed - a special badge, which is an international standardized form for filling out information about the legality of documents for presenting them in other states.

Who organizes

Many people on such troubles themselves But for this you will need a lot of free time, as well as extreme attentiveness and composure.

If you still want to trust the professionals, then it could be:

• tour operator - just contact a company that organizes weddings in other countries;
• wedding agencies - the organizer can either be from Russia and you take him with you abroad where the holiday is planned, or you find a person already on the spot.

Most likely, a specialist working abroad will speak English, keep this in mind.

Price

So, let's look at the approximate cost in some countries. We will give prices in rubles and only for newlyweds, without a banquet hall, cars and guests. All this is calculated separately, based on your desires and capabilities.

1. In Cyprus, organizing a ceremony, including flights and accommodation, will cost you 150 thousand.
2. In Greece, for 130,000, they will select and decorate the ceremony site for you, and also provide you with a Russian-speaking host.
3. In Prague, 120 thousand rubles will be enough to completely arrange the location, documents, and there will also be money left over for rings.
4. In Jamaica, 300,000 will be enough to decorate the area, the registrar, and even for flights with accommodation.
5. In the Dominican Republic, for 280 thousand you will live in a hotel on an all-inclusive basis, this amount will include wedding registration, a package of necessary documents, flights, and even a photographer.
6. On the island of Mauritius they will ask for about 330,000 – this is for all organization services.
7. In the Seychelles, such a holiday will cost you 350,000.
8. State of Barbados - for flights, accommodation and painting they will ask for 400,000 rubles.
9. The most expensive option is French Polynesia , where you will have to pay about 700,000.

The prices presented may vary according to the course and also depending on the desired package of services.

Is it possible to register a marriage in another country?

Holding a wedding ceremony outside the Russian Federation is acceptable. States parties to the treaty in The Hague allow marriage when the newlyweds satisfy the requirements of domestic law, are citizens of a particular country, or comply with conflict of laws rules.

Legislation

Russian laws also provide for the opportunity for the bride and groom to marry and register it abroad. The conditions of the ceremony are prescribed in the Family Code.

Article 158. Recognition of marriages concluded outside the Russian Federation

From the text you can find out whether a marriage abroad is valid in the Russian Federation:

• paragraph 1 states that a legal union of Russians, citizens of Russia with foreigners, formalized under the laws of another state, is recognized as valid. The procedure is possible only if there are no obstacles;
• Clause 2 states that the Russian government recognizes marriage relations of citizens of other countries, for example, Germany, if the rules of legality are met.

Article 14. Circumstances preventing marriage

It is impossible to legalize documents and marriages entered into by people abroad on the basis of this article. Marital relations are prohibited between:

• the person already has a husband or wife. The wedding will only be possible if the union is annulled or declared invalid;
• participants in the marriage ceremony are relatives (sisters, brothers, parents, children, granddaughters and grandfathers). The basis for the ban is the negative health of children born as a result of incestuous relationships;
• The marriage is formalized by the adoptive parent and the child. Based on Russian legislation, such children are comparable to their own children.
• people who have mental disorders, as well as those declared incompetent by a court.

Types of marriages abroad

Foreign countries sometimes have legislative differences in regulating marriage. In Russia, for example, a union is recognized that is officially registered in the registry office, of which there is a certificate. Outside the territory of the Russian Federation, persons can conduct a wedding in the following ways:

• in the church with the issuance of a certificate. Authorities are vested in organizations from Finland, Poland, and the USA. Marriages can only be celebrated by parishioners;
• civil partnership. Some states recognize such forms of relations. Partnership is equivalent to marriage and cohabitation at the same time;
• at the consulate. Based on Art. 157 IC, Russians can hold a wedding at a diplomatic mission abroad. Marriage at the consulate is official and acceptable for international newlyweds;
• same-sex. The forms, legal consequences and powers of spouses vary from country to country;
• actual, or cohabitation. Citizens of the Russian Federation can also live without an official ceremony. Such relationships have legal consequences.

Symbolic and official ceremony: what is the difference

Newlyweds can enter into a symbolic marriage and choose a ceremony abroad. Travel agencies offer many wedding story options against the backdrop of the ocean shore, nature reserve, or national park. A turnkey wedding is popular among Russian spouses, where all the little details - such as the celebration, banquet, flight and accommodation - are taken care of by the organizers. The symbolic ceremony has no legal consequences other than exit registration.

Registration of marriage with a foreigner in compliance with the law

In the Russian Federation, marriage issues are regulated by the Family Code and the by-laws acting on its basis.

Registration of marriage with a foreigner is allowed in the Russian Federation. That is, one of the spouses has citizenship of another country or has no citizenship at all.

But compared to registering a marriage between Russian citizens, additional rules must be observed.

1st rule

The most important rule is that on the territory of the Russian Federation, marriage with a foreigner can only be registered under Russian law. This means that the marriage is registered only in the registry office, so the future spouses apply to the registry office and go through the most usual registration procedure.

However, for a foreigner the second rule immediately begins to apply. In addition to complying with the legislation of the Russian Federation, he also needs to comply with the requirements of the family legislation of his country. For example, reaching a higher marriageable age than provided for in Russia, consent of parents or local authorities, etc.

A foreign citizen will first have to confirm that all the rules of family law in his country have been complied with. However, this rule does not apply to those foreigners who, in addition to foreign citizenship, also have Russian citizenship. From the point of view of Russian legislation, such foreigners will be considered as Russians.

2nd rule

If a citizen does not have citizenship, or has citizenship, but this state is not recognized by Russia, but he lives legally on the territory of Russia, only Russian legislation will apply to him.

In the case when a stateless person permanently resides abroad, but stays temporarily on the territory of Russia , then in this case he will have to be guided by the laws of the country where his place of permanent residence is located.

But if a foreigner has several citizenships, among which there is no Russian citizenship, then he has the right to choose which country’s laws he should follow when getting married on the territory of the Russian Federation.

3rd rule

Based on the fact that only monogamous marriages are recognized in Russia, even if polygamy is allowed in a foreigner’s homeland, he will not be able to take a Russian citizen as his second wife. It doesn’t matter where such a couple applies (consulate, embassy), such a marriage will not be recognized in Russia.

Is foreign marriage recognized in Russia?

The grounds on which a marriage registered abroad will be valid in Russia are given in Art. 158 SK. The obstacles are detailed in Art. 14 SK. Keep in mind that domestic authorities officially recognize only legalized documents.

Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage has been officially legalized by 28 countries (Portugal, Finland, Germany, France, Spain). Another 16 states recognize same-sex cohabitation and partnerships, but limit the rights of couples. For example, in Estonia, Hungary, Andorra, and the Czech Republic, IVF, adoption, and surrogate mother services are prohibited.

Procedure for registering a marriage abroad

Registration of a civil marriage is carried out abroad in stages. Initially, it is worth clarifying the specifics of the laws of the selected country. After this, start preparing documentation and organizing the trip. Some countries require permission for the ceremony from the local municipality.

After the wedding has taken place, the apostilization procedure is carried out. This will eliminate obstacles from each state.

Conditions for official registration of marriage abroad

Newlyweds who have chosen a foreign option for holding a wedding ceremony must take into account its conditions:

• compliance with the legislative norms of the host country;
• no violations under Art. 14 SK;
• mandatory legalization;
• notarized translation of a foreign marriage certificate into the state language;
• contacting the civil registry office at the place of registration to get a stamp.

List of required documents for marriage

To hold a wedding ceremony abroad, the bride and groom must provide a package of documents. It includes:

• birth certificates;
• copies and originals of passports - foreign and domestic;
• a statement indicating the absence of a marital relationship at present;
• papers confirming the dissolution of a previous marriage;
• death certificate of spouse (for widows and widowers);
• an extract from the Russian registry office, which states that there are no legal obstacles.

Cost of an official ceremony in other countries

When calculating, a marriage entered into by a couple of Russian citizens who choose a wedding abroad will be cheaper than a domestic one. Thus, a traditional ceremony with on-site registration for 50 people will cost an average of 450 thousand rubles. In St. Petersburg you will need to pay 850 thousand - 1.5 million rubles for it, in Perm - 300 thousand rubles.

When registering a marriage on the territory of another state, Russians will spend:

• from 100 to 600 thousand rubles. for two without guests - this includes travel expenses, housing for 5-7 days, the ceremony itself;
• during the peak tourist season - 20-30% more funds;
• from 150 to 200 thousand rubles. - when organizing painting yourself;
• plus 70-120 thousand rubles. - if you entrust matters to companies offering a “wedding package” (symbolic ceremony, payment of taxes, payments to registrars, decorators, lawyers for legalization of documents);
• plus 45-50 euros for notarization of documents at the consulate.

How long will it take?

The duration depends on the place where the relationship of the future spouses is formalized:

• Greece - permit is issued within 7 days. A wedding is possible only after the documents are certified by the consulate;
• Las Vegas - you can get married and get divorced in one day;
• Mauritius island - weddings for foreign citizens are held only on weekends, brides and grooms must arrive 3 days in advance;
• France - Russians must live in any city for at least 10-40 days;
• Switzerland, Austria, Germany - authorities will issue a permit in 2-6 months.

The time for the celebration can be clarified at the diplomatic mission of the country.

Change of surname and citizenship when registering a marriage with a foreign citizen

In Russia, in most cases, a girl takes her husband’s surname. When registering a marriage in another state, the change of surname is not indicated. This can be done upon returning to the Russian Federation. There are exceptions in some countries. For example, in Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic, a woman will receive an official document with a different surname.

The process of changing citizenship has a number of nuances:

• replacing a Russian passport with a new one and obtaining a foreign passport with a different surname;
• mandatory extract from the place of registration in the Russian Federation, consular registration in the country of residence;
• complete replacement of bank cards, TIN, SNILS, medical policy;
• obtaining citizenship of another state - after 3 years in the standard manner;
• obtaining citizenship in a simplified manner - by residence on the basis of an official temporary permit.

Legislation on marriage and registration abroad

The procedure for concluding and registering a marriage abroad is regulated by the following regulatory legal documents of the Russian Federation:

• Article 158 “Recognition of marriages concluded outside the territory of the Russian Federation” of the Family Code of the Russian Federation;
• Article 4 “Bodies that carry out state registration of acts of civil status” of the Federal Law of November 15, 1997 No. 143-FZ (as amended on April 24, 2020) “On acts of civil status.”

Article 158 “Recognition of marriages concluded outside the territory of the Russian Federation” of the Family Code of the Russian Federation:

• marriages between citizens of the Russian Federation and marriages between citizens of the Russian Federation and foreign citizens or stateless persons concluded outside the territory of the Russian Federation in compliance with the legislation of the state in whose territory they are concluded, are recognized as valid in the Russian Federation if there are no circumstances preventing marriage under Article 14 “Circumstances Preventing Marriage” of the Family Code of the Russian Federation, namely:

  if at least one of the future spouses (bride or groom) is already in another registered marriage;

• if the future spouses are close relatives (relatives in a direct ascending and descending line (parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren), full and half-blooded (having a common father or mother) brothers and sisters) or adoptive parents and adopted children;
• if at least one of the future spouses is recognized by the court as incompetent due to a mental disorder.

Paragraph 3 of Article 4 “Bodies that carry out state registration of acts of civil status” of Federal Law No. 143-FZ “On Acts of Civil Status”:

• state registration of acts of civil status of citizens of the Russian Federation living outside the territory of the Russian Federation is carried out by consular offices of the Russian Federation outside the territory of the Russian Federation;
• consular offices of the Russian Federation outside the territory of the Russian Federation and their officials, when they carry out state registration of acts of civil status, are subject to the rights, duties and responsibilities assigned to the civil registration authorities and their officials.

In addition to the specified domestic legislative acts, when concluding and registering a marriage abroad, it is necessary to take into account:

• relevant legislative norms of the state in whose territory the marriage takes place;
• The Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, abolishing the requirement of legalization of foreign official documents (came into force for the Russian Federation on May 31, 1992);
• Convention on Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family and Criminal Matters, concluded in Minsk on January 22, 1993 and
• the presence of appropriate bilateral agreements on the legalization of documents between the Russian Federation and the government of the country where the wedding is planned.

Current legislation provides for the possibility of concluding and registering a marriage abroad:

• as between a citizen of the Russian Federation and a foreigner,
• and between citizens of the Russian Federation in any foreign country.

At the same time, the procedure for concluding and registering a marriage abroad for each of these cases is somewhat different.

The procedure for concluding and registering a marriage abroad between a citizen of the Russian Federation and a foreigner

The right to marry a citizen of the Russian Federation with a foreigner is granted by almost all countries, but in compliance with the laws of the state where the marriage is planned. The most difficult thing for Russian citizens in concluding and registering a marriage abroad between a Russian citizen and a foreigner is collecting the necessary documents.

Let's consider the procedure for getting married abroad between a citizen of the Russian Federation and a foreigner step by step.

Step 1. Issuing a marriage invitation to obtain a wedding visa (bride visa, groom visa).

Wedding visa (bride visa, groom visa):

• this is the easiest and most affordable way to get to another country for the purpose of marriage;
• Each country has its own marriage procedures and most often, to obtain permission to conclude and register a marriage, a marriage invitation is required, the so-called bride visa or groom visa, depending on the gender of the citizen of the Russian Federation;
• a marriage invitation is usually issued to the country of residence of a foreign citizen;
• Without a wedding visa (bride visa, groom visa), marriage may be considered illegal in many countries.

A wedding visa (bride visa, groom visa) provides the opportunity to:

• to enter the country for up to 6 months;
• During this time, future spouses can get engaged, formalize family relations in the marriage registration authorities appropriate for a given country, and get married.

However, a wedding visa does not provide the right to work or study abroad. Its owners are prohibited from opening their own business. They also cannot receive state-provided benefits or social benefits.

Features of obtaining a wedding visa (bride visa, groom visa):

• according to the laws of many countries, citizens who decide to get married in a given country have the right to receive a wedding visa;
• a citizen applying for a wedding visa must be an adult;
• his partner is required to have citizenship of the country or a permanent residence card, as well as receive a stable financial income that can provide for a future family.

Procedure for obtaining a wedding visa (bride visa, groom visa):

• Most often, a marriage invitation is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• an apostille is affixed to it, and then a stamp from the country where the marriage will be registered.

If you plan to live in the future, for example, in Germany, the USA, Australia or Canada, then it is better to get married there:

• It is to these countries that single women from the Russian Federation have great difficulty obtaining an ordinary tourist visa;
• at the same time, a fiancé visa is issued quickly and without unnecessary complications.

What is bad about a tourist visa for getting married abroad:

• With a tourist visa you can easily enter many countries, where you can then register your marriage;
• however, in the future, problems may arise with obtaining a study or work permit;
• Immigration services have a very negative attitude towards citizens who knowingly indicate a false reason for entering the country, which will lead to the deprivation of the benefits that would be entitled to a citizen who entered the country on a fiancée visa and got married there.

Marriage Invitation Forms

Obtaining a fiancee visa (fiancé visa, which is much less common) in most cases falls on the shoulders of the groom:

• it is the future spouse who must begin the fiancé visa application process;
• To do this, he needs to contact the immigration service of his country.

The immigration service may require the following documents from the groom (as a rule):

• a completed petition form for a fiancee visa of the established standard;
• documents with biographical information about the bride and groom (two forms);
• data for feedback from the groom (phone and email);
• evidence that the groom is a citizen of this country (photocopy of birth certificate or passport);
• mutual letters of intent to marry;
• passport style color photographs (of the bride and groom);
• divorce certificates, if any;
• evidence of personal meetings and communications (air tickets, telephone bills for international calls, joint photographs, letters, postcards);
• a cash receipt for the fee for filing a petition for a fiancé visa.

After the groom submits a petition for a fiancee visa:

• you should wait for her approval, as well as the transfer of documents to the embassy in the bride’s country;
• The bride and groom are constantly informed via email about the progress of their application for a fiancé visa.

Step 2. Obtaining a fiancee visa (groom visa).

Once the approval and relevant documents have been submitted to the embassy in the bride's country of residence (Russian Federation), she must schedule an interview. You can sign up online on the embassy website. There is also a list of documents that the bride must submit to obtain a fiancé visa. Different countries set their own list of documents.

Generally, most countries require:

• international passport with a validity period of at least 6 months;
• a certificate of marital status issued by the Russian Embassy in the language of the country where the marriage is taking place;
• birth certificate (birth certificates of children under 18 years of age who are traveling with the bride);
• a document confirming the dissolution of all previous marriages;
• certificate of no criminal record or criminal record;
• results of passing a medical examination in one of the accredited clinics (USA);
• color photographs of the established standard;
• receipt for payment of consular fee, etc.

The fiancé visa is issued in close cooperation with national visa centers, embassies in the bride's country, and the bride and groom themselves. There are detailed instructions for all actions on the official websites; embassies inform you in various ways about the progress of your visa application. You must strictly follow all these rules and requirements.

All documents must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All documents must be accompanied by a notarized translation, except in Germany.

Step 3. Submitting an application for marriage registration.

After successful completion of all the above procedures, you can submit an application to the authority where marriages are registered in a foreign country.

In a number of countries, as in the Russian Federation, only the civil form of marriage registration is permissible, i.e. registration with the civil registry office:

• these are countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, Estonia, Japan and some others.

In some states, marriage can be concluded in both civil and religious forms:

• these are countries such as England and Wales, as well as Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Finland, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Scotland and Sweden;

The only possible form of marriage is religious:

• installed in Israel, Iraq, Iran.

In some countries, legislation recognizes the so-called “de facto” or “civil” marriage:

• these are countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Hungary, Belgium, France and Portugal.

Step 4. Legalization of marriage in the Russian Federation.

A marriage registered in another state will be recognized as valid in the Russian Federation only if during registration there were no situations that violated the legislation of the Russian Federation. The marriage must be legalized, otherwise it will not be recognized as valid in the Russian Federation.

To do this you need:

• place an apostille on the marriage certificate in the state where the marriage took place;
• translate the marriage certificate into Russian and have the translation certified by a notary;
• legalize the marriage certificate at the Russian consulate.

The procedure for concluding and registering marriage abroad between citizens of the Russian Federation

The main issue when concluding a marriage abroad between citizens of the Russian Federation is its legal side.

In practice, the following situations currently occur:

• carrying out only the wedding ceremony abroad;
• holding a symbolic ceremony abroad after the official registration of marriage in the Russian civil registry office and
• carrying out the official procedure for the marriage of citizens of the Russian Federation abroad.

The implementation of the first two situations does not cause any difficulties. This can be done through a travel agency anywhere in the world, for any taste and for any money.

Article 158 “Recognition of marriages concluded outside the territory of the Russian Federation” of the Family Code of the Russian Federation establishes the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to register a marriage not only in any of the civil registry offices in the territory of the Russian Federation, but also abroad, but subject to certain requirements.

Requirements for official marriage abroad between citizens of the Russian Federation

Requirement one:

• avoid violations of the legislation of the country where the wedding is planned regarding the requirements regarding the form, place and conditions of marriage registration.

Requirement two:

• concerning compliance with general norms that prevent marriage, established by Article 14 “Circumstances that prevent marriage” of the Family Code of the Russian Federation.

If at least one of these prohibitions was violated when concluding a marriage abroad, such a marriage will not be considered valid in the Russian Federation and cannot be legalized. Thanks to the participation of the Russian Federation in many interstate and international unions, according to current legislation, official marriage of citizens of the Russian Federation is possible in most countries of the world.

And the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, concluded in 1969, including simplification of the circulation of documents between countries, as well as the presence of relevant bilateral agreements on the legalization of documents, further facilitates the process of marriage of citizens of the Russian Federation abroad

According to the Hague Convention, official documents are mutually recognized in more than 120 countries. There is also such a concept as “consular marriage”, according to which in almost every country you can enter into an official marriage through the consular representation of your state.

When choosing a country for an official wedding abroad, you should pay attention to:

• on the degree of complexity of the preparatory stage of marriage;
• on the number of documents required for marriage;
• the need to translate documents;
• the need to confirm the legal status of documents;
• while waiting for permission to hold a wedding ceremony;
• time to legalize a marriage certificate in the Russian Federation.

It is necessary to prepare for a wedding abroad in advance, 4 to 6 months before the date of the ceremony.

Documents required for marriage abroad

The wedding must be performed by an official authorized person in the local municipality or other location permitted in that country. Each country has its own requirements for the list of documents required for marriage.

In most countries, to get married you must present:

• identification document (passport) and international passport;
• birth certificate of both future spouses;
• a certificate from the registry office stating that both the bride and groom are not married to other persons;
• certificate of divorce or death of the other spouse (if there were such circumstances);
• documents confirming the ability to stay in the country where the wedding is to take place.

In some countries, a medical certificate may be required. It is also sometimes required to provide a document confirming a change of last name or first name, if there are appropriate circumstances. The prepared documents must be translated in advance into the language of the country chosen for the wedding and certified by the consulate of that country.

This procedure may differ for each specific country:

• some countries do not require legal certification, for example, the Czech Republic;
• and in some countries certain documents will need to be obtained locally.

You should also take into account some procedural requirements that may apply in individual countries:

• be registered with the Russian Embassy or have a permanent residence permit;
• live in the country you have chosen for the wedding for a few days before the ceremony.

Due to the great difference in requirements for getting married abroad, it is recommended to engage an appropriate legal or travel company to prepare this procedure. Many travel agencies have this specialization and can help you find the ideal place to get married, and will also take care of all the problems.

Legalization of marriage in the country where the marriage took place

After the marriage procedure, the spouses receive a marriage registration certificate. The certificate must be translated into Russian and legalized at the consulate of the country where the marriage took place. If this country is acceded to the Hague Convention, then problems with legalization usually do not arise.

Therefore, after marriage in these countries, spouses can legalize marriage certificates issued abroad using apostille, that is, affixing a special stamp - apostille:

• an apostille confirms the legitimacy of signatures and seals on a marriage certificate;
• apostille can only be applied in the country where the marriage took place;
• The apostille procedure does not take much time, since it requires the participation of only one authorized body.

Another option for legalizing a marriage certificate is to contact the consulate:

• This option is used if the country in which the marriage certificate was issued is not a member of the Hague Convention, and also does not have a bilateral agreement with the Russian Federation on the legalization of documents.

To do this, you need to collect and submit the following package of documents to the Russian consulate in the country of marriage:

• application of the established form (the form is requested at the consulate or it can be printed from the website of the Russian representative office or the State Services portal);
• internal and foreign passports of both spouses;
• marriage certificate (or other document confirming entry into marital relations);
• receipt of payment of state duty;
• notarized translation of the document.

Legalization of a marriage certificate in the Russian Federation

After apostilling the marriage certificate, returning to the Russian Federation with it, you can already go to the civil registry office and put a stamp in your passport. If the bride wants to take her husband’s surname after marriage, then a corresponding statement should be attached to the marriage certificate.

In many countries, the marriage certificate indicates the bride's premarital surname. But for those who get married in Austria, the Czech Republic or Slovenia, it is easier, since in these countries the new surnames of the spouses are immediately indicated on the marriage certificate.

If you have any questions about the violation of your rights, or you find yourself in a difficult life situation, then an online duty lawyer is ready to advise you on this issue for free.

MARRIAGE. MARRIAGE REGISTRATION

Confirmation of marriage in Russia: how to legalize the certificate

A certificate is issued for a marriage registered abroad, according to the requirements and in the language of another state. To legitimize the union, Russian citizens are required to undergo apostillization.

Simplified procedure for legalizing a certificate

After marriage is concluded in the countries party to the 1961 Hague Convention, the legalization of documents is carried out in a simplified manner. For this you will need:

affix an apostille to the authority that registered the marriage;

If you get married in a state that is part of the CIS, legalization is also simplified. The basis is the Mutual Assistance Convention of 1992. Russians who signed in Bulgaria, Algeria, and Vietnam do not undergo legalization for reasons of bilateral agreements between the governments of the countries.

The usual procedure for legalizing a marriage certificate

If a family union is registered in a state that has not signed the Hague Convention and does not have an agreement with the Russian Federation, the certificate is legalized on a general basis:

1. Writing an application using a standard form (issued at the consulate or downloaded from the State Services website);
2. Providing a package of documents. It includes a marriage certificate, its notarized translation and a receipt for payment of the state fee;
3. Legalization or refusal.

Documents required to register a marriage with a foreigner

As mentioned above, if the registration of a marriage with a foreigner is registered in the Russian Federation, then this happens in the registry office, for which the following documents must be submitted:

• Application in form F-7 , approved by the Government of the Russian Federation in 1998. If one of the future spouses cannot submit such an application in person, he can send his application separately, but it must be notarized.
• Identification documents of those entering into marriage (usually a passport). Such documents must be submitted with copies.
• A foreigner will need documents issued by a government agency or embassy of his country stating that, in terms of their laws, he has the right to marry.
• Also, a foreigner will need a visa or residence permit confirming the legality of his stay in Russia. This is not necessary only for citizens of countries with which there is a visa-free regime (Belarus, Ukraine, etc.).
• If one of the future spouses has already been married before, documents confirming that the marriage has been dissolved or terminated.

Document requirements

An important point in all this is that all documents submitted to the registry office must be in Russian. Thus, it is easiest for citizens of those countries where Russian is the official language (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Ossetia, Abkhazia).

In Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, at the request of the applicant, documents are issued in Russian or certified by a notary. In other cases, you will have to submit documents with an official certified translation into Russian to the registry office.

If a foreigner presents documents issued in his country, they must undergo a legalization procedure. That is, the procedure for recognizing these documents in Russia. The rules of two international conventions apply here: the Hague 1961 and Minsk 1993.

As well as agreements between the Russian Federation and the country whose citizen is getting married. For countries party to the Hague Convention, it will be enough to affix a special mark on the document - an apostille. In the same case, if the country does not participate in the convention, a more complex procedure for consular certification will be required in the bodies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation located in this country.

For citizens of the former Soviet republics who signed the 1993 Minsk Convention, legalizing documents is not a necessary circumstance. It is enough to notarize the translation if the document was not originally drawn up in Russian.

These are citizens of the following republics:

• Azerbaijan;
• Armenia;
• Belarus;
• Georgia;
• Kazakhstan;
• Kyrgyzstan;
• Moldova;
• Tajikistan;
• Turkmenistan;
• Uzbekistan;
• Ukraine.

The Baltic countries do not participate in the 1993 Minsk Convention, however, other agreements have been concluded with them and they also do not need to legalize their documents.

What difficulties may arise

Registration of a future marriage and holding a ceremony abroad is not so easy. Couples in love may face several obstacles:

• in China, UAE, Thailand or Egypt, the certificate is not valid;
• in Indonesia only Catholics, Buddhists, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus can sign;
• a marriage license issued in Hawaii is certified by the Department of Health;
• newlyweds who want to get married in Bali must profess the same religion;
• you need to live in the Seychelles for 11 days, and in Sri Lanka - 4 days before the wedding;
• in Austria or Germany you can only get married with permission;
• in Puerto Rico, Egypt, and Taiwan, the marriageable age for the bride and groom is 20-21 years.

In which countries can Russians register a marriage so that it is valid in their homeland?

A full marriage ceremony with a simplified process of legalizing the certificate is possible in several countries:

• Dominican Republic;
• Bahamas;
• Austria;
• Brazil;
• Barbados,
• Australia;
• Grenadines;
• Mauritius;
• Hungary;
• Iceland;
• Cyprus;
• Greece;
• Cuba;
• New Zealand;
• Slovenia;
• Seychelles;
• Fiji;
• Poland;
• Mexico;
• Sri Lanka;
• Romania;
• Jamaica;
• Czech Republic;
• Montenegro.