Weddings Abroad

It's relatively easy to get married in Abu Dhabi provided you have me the requirements and conditions set out by the Government. Civil marriage do not exist and the Sharia Court in Abu Dhabi perform a ceremony according to Islamic Laws, regardless of the nationality of the applicants. The main requirement is that both applicants need to be residents of the UAE. The documents required include passports and birth certificates together with a certificate of marital status which must be attested by your country's consular either in your home country or in the UAE. Once documents are in order, they are submitted to the Sharia court along with a marriage application. 2 witnesses are needed. There are several churches in Abu Dhabi where Christians can get married. For more information visit http://www.visitabudhabi.ae/en/plan.your.visit/important.info/married.aspx

Antigua is one of the few Caribbean islands which doesn't require a minimum length of stay. The documents you will need to take with you are valid passports, original birth certificates and picture ID such as a driving licence or State Issued ID. You both need to attend the Ministry of Justice to fill out the application form for a Marriage Licence and will also need to sign a form to state that you are indeed single. The registration fee is US$40 and then the Marriage licence will cost US$150 for a special licence plus US$50 for the marriage officer's fee. Two witnesses are also required to be present at the ceremony. To learn more please visit http://www.antigua-barbuda.com/travel_tourism/information/getting_married.asp

The Argentines only recognise a civil ceremony to be legal although you can get married afterwards in a religious ceremony if you wish. You will need to apply for permission at least 30 days before your intended marriage date and one of you must be Argentinian or a permanent resident of Argentina. Documents needed include valid passports and full birth certificates and you will also have to undergo medical examinations. Two witnesses are needed at the civil ceremony. For ,ore information visit http://www.buenosaires.gov.ar/registrocivil/

With both civil and religious weddings possible, it is relatively easy to tie the knot in Aruba. However, a civil marriage has to be held in the Civil Town House. You will need copies of both birth certificates together with photo ID such as passport or State Issue ID. In addition you will have to sign to say that you are single. You will also have to find 2 witnesses. Weddings can only be held on Wednesday-Fridays although for an additional cost of US$150 you can slot in a late morning  wedding. All completed documents need to be faxed for review and then submitted by a courier (such as Fedex) at least one month before your intended wedding date. To learn more visit http://www.islandbrides.com/destination/Aruba/requirements/7/

It is necessary to file a Notice of Intended Marriage to an authorised marriage celebrant no later than one month and one day prior to your intended wedding date and within 18 months. This can be filed from overseas as long as it has been signed in front of either an Australian Diplomatic Officer, an Australian Consular Officer attached to an embassy in your country, or a notary public. Once signed and witnessed, the form can be sent to your wedding planner or the marriage celebrant. Other documents you will need to produce include an original birth certificate and a 10 year passport with at least 6 months validity remaining on it. For further information visit http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/MarriageGetting_Married

A wedding Licence is applied for from the Registrar Generals Office and both parties must be in the Bahamas at the time of application. There is no minimum length of stay required and you can get married the day after you arrive, if you wish. Documents required are both passports and full birth certificates together with photo ID such as a driving licence. The couple have to sign a declaration before a Notary Public that they are both single and also provide proof of the date of their arrival in the Bahamas. Cost of the licence is $100 and Minister's fee are $150 weekdays and $175 at weekends. For more information visit http://www.thebahamasguide.com/facts/marriage.htm

Couples wishing to get married in Bahrain need to be resident on the island for at least 21 days, after which the banns will be published for another 21 day period. The documents required include valid passports, birth certificates and a letter of no objection. For more information visit http://ukinbahrain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-bahrain/marriage-birth-bh

Unlike some of the Caribbean islands, there is no minimum time of residing and you can get married on the very same day as you arrive in Barbados. A couple must go together to the offices of the Ministry of Home Affairs to apply for a Marriage Licence. They will both need to take valid passports, full birth certificates and their plane tickets for both ways. The cost of a Licence is BD$150.00 which can be paid in cash and there is an additional $25 stamp fee. To learn more visit http://www.visitbarbados.org/

It is normal for couples wanting to get married in China for one of them to be a Chinese citizen or to be a resident in the country. They will need to apply to get married to their local civil affairs office with a complete marriage registration form and all other documents need to be translated into the Chinese language. The Chinese partner will need to have a certificate of marriageability, birth certificate, household registration book, health certificate and a letter from their parents giving them permission to marry a foreigner. The partner who is a resident will need a passport, residency permit, health certificate, 3 photos of the couple together, registration fee and a certificate of marriage. The marriage office usually reviews the documents prior to approving the application in about an hour. They then issue a marriage certificate. For more information visit http://www.gowealthy.com/gowealthy/wcms/en/home/articles/entertainment/getting-married/Getting-Married-in-China-1217759427109.html

Marriage licenses need to be obtained at least 30 days before the date of the wedding. To obtain a license, you will need to take with you a birth certificate and a passport to the county clerk's office in the area that you want to get married in. The fee for this will be $55.00. For further information visit http://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/publications/how-to-get-married-ma.pdf