Georgia or Poland: Which country is quicker and easier to get married?

Many couples choose Georgia as the place to get married because the document registration process here is exceptionally convenient and easy to understand. Legal formalities require minimal time and financial costs, while the absence of excessive bureaucracy makes the country especially attractive to foreigners. The picturesque landscapes of the Caucasus, numerous resorts, and modern venues turn a wedding celebration into a vivid and truly unforgettable event.

The main advantages are the simplicity and speed of the procedure, the lack of bureaucratic barriers, and the international recognition of documents. Unlike many countries where couples must collect numerous certificates and wait a long time for verification (sometimes for months), everything in Georgia is significantly simpler. It is sufficient to provide passports, a contact phone number, and, if necessary, divorce certificates or death certificates of a former spouse.

Compared to other countries, Georgia stands out due to the following features:

• Fast processing – marriage registration is possible within just one day, which is especially important for foreign couples who do not want to spend months preparing.
• International recognition – a marriage certificate issued in Georgia can be apostilled quickly and is recognized worldwide.
• Transparency and affordability – the average cost of services is around $500.
• Any ceremony format – couples can choose a standard civil registration or organize a beautiful off-site ceremony at another location.

Official marriage registration in Poland is a strictly regulated process, where each stage is governed by local family and administrative law. Bureaucratic nuances require time and careful document preparation. The process begins with submitting an application to the relevant authority, where future spouses must confirm their legal capacity to marry. To do so, the following documents are required:

• Passports
• Birth certificates
• Documents confirming the absence of obstacles to marriage
• Certificate of marital status
• Proof of no existing marital obligations at the place of residence
• Medical certificates

After the documents are verified, a ceremony date is scheduled. The ceremony may take place at the Urząd Stanu Cywilnego or in an off-site format, but only at specially approved locations and under the supervision of an authorized official. The registration itself is conducted in the presence of witnesses and is recorded in the state register.

The signatures of the witnesses and the registrar give the marriage legal force, after which the spouses receive an official marriage certificate. For foreigners, the accuracy of document translations and their full compliance with Polish and European regulations are critically important. Even a minor translation error can result in a refusal to register the marriage.

In Georgia, foreigners only need to provide passports, while additional certificates and translations can be arranged locally. In Poland, the process is more formalized. In addition to passports and birth certificates, a certificate of no impediment to marriage, notarized translations, and an apostille are required.

Documents required to marry in Georgia:

• International passports of both partners
• Translations and apostille only if necessary (arranged through local agencies)

Documents required to marry in Poland:

• Passports of both spouses
• Birth certificates
• Certificates confirming the absence of obstacles to marriage (mandatory for foreigners)
• Divorce decree or death certificate of a former spouse

All documents must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator.

Marriage timelines in Georgia and Poland differ fundamentally, and this difference often makes Georgia the decisive choice for those seeking the fastest possible process. In Georgia, the procedure is highly simplified: after submitting an application and presenting passports, the marriage can be registered on the same day.

This efficiency is explained by the Georgian authorities’ liberal approach to bureaucracy. It is a deliberate policy aimed at attracting foreign couples, which has already turned the country into a popular destination and significantly boosted the tourism sector.

In Poland, the situation is not just different but completely opposite. Marriage registration is strictly regulated and requires advance preparation of documents, including a certificate of no impediment to marriage, notarized translations, and an apostille. After submitting an application to the Urząd Stanu Cywilnego, an authorized official schedules the ceremony date (usually several weeks later), making the process longer and more formalized. There are no legal ways to expedite the registration.

Thus, in terms of speed, Georgia clearly has the advantage, offering foreigners the opportunity to marry almost instantly—on the day of application. In Poland, as in other EU countries, time is required to verify documents.

Recognition of a marriage concluded in Georgia is linked to the legalization of documents through the mandatory apostille procedure. The marriage certificate issued by a Georgian civil registry authority has legal force only within the country. For recognition abroad, its authenticity must be officially confirmed.

In this respect, Polish documents have an advantage, as they are automatically valid not only within the eurozone but also in many other countries worldwide. Although Georgia is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Convention, an apostille is still mandatory. It certifies the authenticity of the signature and seal, making the document valid in countries that are parties to the convention.

If legalization is required in countries that do not recognize apostilles, consular legalization will be necessary. In this case, the document undergoes multiple verification stages.

First, it is certified by the Georgian Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then by the consulate of the country where the marriage needs to be recognized. Only after completing all these steps will the document have legal force abroad, allowing spouses to exercise all rights granted by law.