The tendency of getting married in Georgia among international couples has increased lately. Georgia is an attractive marriage destination for many couples. Starting from mesmerizing ceremony destinations to the simplicity of the procedure and registration of it. In the following article we’ll provide all the necessary information on the legal importance of marriage and detailed explanation of how, where and who can get married in Georgia country.
Legal importance of marriage
Even though marriage is based on private willful relation between two persons, in a country governed by the law it is a public legal act and not a religious rite or declaration of love.
According to Georgian legislation marriage is the voluntary union of a woman and a man to create a family, which produces certain rights and obligations between spouses after their marriage is registered in authorized bodies.
Civil marriage between persons of the same gender is not allowed in Georgia. Unlike Germany, the civil status of the registered partnership is not recognized by the Georgian civil law.
The religious certificate or records of marriage do not have a legal recognition in Georgia. It doesn’t mean that you can not proceed religious routines informally.
Conditions required for civil marriage
There are several conditions under which the civil marriage is proceed:
- Marriage age – In Georgia marriage age starts from 18 years,
- Consent of persons who want to get married is required for marriage registration.
Marriage registration is not permitted:
- when one of the future spouses is already married to other person;
- Between biological or non-biological sister and brother;
- Between adoptive parent and adopted child;
- Between persons, when one of them is a ward and no marriage contract is concluded
- To register marriage between persons when one of them is a foreign citizen and the other is Georgian, he/she must legally stay in Georgia.
Can foreigners get married in Georgia?
The answer to that question is simple – YES!
Aliens’ right to marry and divorce Georgian citizens as well as other individuals of any nationalities is guaranteed by the law. On the other hand,Aliens in Georgia have similar rights and duties in family and marital relations as citizens of Georgia.
To clarify the above mentioned we can say that anyone who is 18 years old, holds the documentation required to proceed and wants to get married in Georgia is legally capable of it. Georgia doesn’t restrict civil marriage on the bases of nationalities or religious views.
The validity of the marriage certifications issued in Georgia covers overseas.
How to get married in Georgia?
Applying for marriage registration
First step you take before you get married is applying for the registration of marriage. The statement may be applied by the couple or authorized person of a couple. In the latest case, keep in mind that the marriage cannot be registered by proxy (authorised person).
After filling the form a couple has 2 months to register their marriage.
How many times can you get married in Georgia?
Polygamy is not allowed in Georgia. However, you can get married and divorce freely. No questions asked as long as you are in a monogamy relationship.
Do you need witnesses to get married in Georgia?
Yes, To get married in Georgia, you will need your passport, a translation of your passport and two witnesses who will accompany you to make your wedding official. As long as you have all of the above, you can make an appointment at the public service hall in Tbilisi to sign the documents.
Registration of marriage
Entitled Authorities
There are two legal different entities in Georgia which register the marriage: Public Service Hall and Public Service Development Agency, above that, there are 26 wedding houses (special places where couples go to register their marriage) under supervision of the above mentioned legal entities in Georgia.
Marriage registration may be held in any branch of Public Service Hall either Public Service Development Agency or in a festive atmosphere in Wedding Houses in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Sighnaghi, Akhaltsikhe and Mtskheta. Upon a couple’s request, the ceremony may be, in any place and at any time outside of the official registration place.
You can choose the nearest offices of the above mentioned administrative organs and do the arrangements for the occurring marriage.
During the registration you should be accompanied by a witness.
Documentations required:
- Joint written application of persons intending to get married;
- Identity documents of persons intending to get married
- Proof of identity documents of witnesses
- In case of a person’s second marriage, a document certifying the termination of previous marriage;
- If an application is submitted by a representative (above mentioned authorised person) legal documents certifying power of representation and identity of representative.
important details to know:
- If one of the future spouses is a foreign citizen, the legal authority may accept a foreign citizen’s passport without Georgian translation if his/her personal data in the passport is written in Latin alphabet .
- A document issued in a foreign country (except for proof of identity documents) shall be legalized or apostilled and shall be presented with a duly notarized Georgian translation.
- A foreign citizen must submit a document evidencing the legal ground of his/her stay in Georgia as well.
Services and fees of marriage registration in Georgia
The services and the prices are determined by the competent public entities, the choice is all yours, depending on your budget and wish:
- First of all, it’s worth mentioning that Marriage registration in Public Service Hall or at the branch of Public Services Development Agency with no special ritual service is free of charge.
- Registration in an office of any of two entities with special ritual service – 50 GEL
- Marriage registration at the wedding house with special ritual service on business days – 90 Gel and on weekends – 150 Gel
- Last but not least, outside registration – 170 Gel at any time.
No matter what kind of service you choose, you will get the marriage certificate immediately.
Legal prospects of having a registered marriage in Georgia
After issuing your marriage certificate you and your spouse in a legally binding relationship. As it was mentioned above, marriage ensures spouses with rights and produces certain obligations as well.
As for foreigners, some aspects of the entitled rights and obligations might be significantly interesting, such as possibility of getting a permanent residence permit or even citizenship as well as terms of financial consequences.
Marriage as a path to a permanent residence permit and citizenship in Georgia
Under the law of Georgia permanent residence permit is issued to a spouse and family of Georgian citizens. After registering marriage you can apply for the permanent residence permit to any branch of Public Service Hall.
The opportunity might seem attractive but Georgian legislation does also contain the terms of termination of residence permit on the bases of fraudulent marriage.
Granting of citizenship of Georgia is also simplified for the spouses and family members of Georgia. Foreigner who is married to a Georgian citizen and has been continuously lawfully residing in Georgia in case he/she meets the requirements are able to apply for simplified procedure of granting the citizenship of Georgia.
Financial consequences of being married in Georgia
Marriage in Georgia produces certain legal implications regarding property ownership, money, and debt. Getting into the marriage means that you and your spouse now share income and debt proceeded after the registration of the marriage.
Somehow, Georgian legislation divides separate and joint properties in marriage.
Separate property includes:
- Property owned by the spouse before the marriage;
- Gifted property of spouse during the marriage;
- Inherited property of the spouse (before and during the marriage)
Matrimonial (Joint) property includes:
- Any property acquired by the spouses during the marriage, otherwise determined by the marriage contract.
The joint right to such property shall arise even if one of the spouses ran the household, took care of the children or did not have an independent income for any other valid reason.
- Separate property that has become mixed with the joint property and it can’t be identified. For example reconstruction and renovation of the separate property.
Divorce Property Division
The divorce terminates the certified partnership between spouses. After the verification of divorce arises the issue of dividing the property. The easiest way is to settle the issue with agreement, otherwise the couple will end up in courts.
If the case is a subject to local court, it is always advised to have relevant consultation with the lawyer.
Marriage Contracts
Marriage by its nature is an agreement between two persons. These agreements might be reflected into a marriage contract. Many couples around the world use such kinds of contracts. If you decide to make such an agreement with your future spouse, you should know that Georgian legislation allows you to.
Future spouses may enter into a marriage contract that defines their property rights and duties during the marriage as well as during the termination of the marriage. A marriage contract must be concluded before registration of the marriage.
You can determine your own terms and conditions of the contract as long as they are in accordance with the Georgian jurisdiction.
Pandemic and marrying in Georgia
All of the above provided information is valid through the normal situation. Some of the proceedings regarding the registry of the marriage have changed due to coronavirus.
For example, applicable couple should book an appointment prior the entry of the
department of Public Service Hall in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi.
The certain regulation applies to a wedding party as well. Unfortunately, the bride and the groom are unable to celebrate their special day with wedding event and social gathering in public places.
The rules of travelling have also been restricted. Georgia has not opened border yet. No regular flight are suggested from most of European countries yet. The travellers from certain countries have permission to enter the territory of Georgia without mandatory quarantine. (see our article about travelling in Georgia during pandemic for more information)
Conclusion
To sum up, Georgia is the country where to get married the spouses don’t have to be the citizens of Georgia. The foreign citizens with the confirmed decisions about getting married in Georgia have right to do so by following the announced domestic procedures with the partner. After making certain verifications the couple is welcome to start their big journey in civilian married life.
If YOU are planning to travel to the beautiful land of Georgia during the epidemic situation and more information on immigration and visa issues make sure to read this article: How To enter to Georgia During The Pandemic
If you are planning on giving birth in Georgia, This article is for you: Healthcare Quality in Georgia
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