Marriage Registration Abroad: Georgia or Germany – Where is the Procedure Easier?

More and more couples from different parts of the world choose Georgia for the official registration of their marriage. The registration procedure here is simplified to the maximum, and legal formalities take only a few hours. This frees newlyweds from spending time on lengthy document preparation and allows them to focus on more enjoyable parts of their celebration.

A major advantage is the picturesque nature of the Caucasus. Majestic mountains, green valleys, the Black Sea coast, and diverse resorts all help create a unique festive atmosphere. Cozy hotels, holiday resorts, and modern tourist infrastructure turn the most important day in a couple’s life into a bright celebration that will remain in their memories forever.

Georgia has become a popular destination for thousands of couples who want to formalize their relationship quickly and receive a full package of documents confirming their marriage. All necessary procedures take significantly less time here than in most other countries.

Main stages:

• Application submission. It is enough to provide the bride and groom’s passports. Foreigners must translate their documents into Georgian and have them apostilled, but this usually takes only one day.
• Choosing the registration date. Any convenient day can be selected for the ceremony, including the same day the documents are submitted.
• Marriage registration. The process takes place at the House of Justice or at any other location (for example, outdoors) and lasts about 30 minutes.
• Receiving the certificate. The marriage certificate is issued immediately after registration, receives international recognition, and can be legalized for use in any country if necessary.

Thus, the entire process—from application to receiving the certificate—can take up to three days, making Georgia one of the fastest countries for marriage registration.

In Germany, the marriage procedure is highly bureaucratic and takes much longer. The process goes through the government registry office (Standesamt), where the marriage gains legal validity.

Main stages:

• Application submission (Anmeldung zur Eheschließung). The couple must apply to the Standesamt at the place of residence of one partner. Foreigners need passports, birth certificates, certificates of marital status, and notarized translations. Document verification takes several weeks.
• Setting the wedding date. After document verification, the Standesamt schedules the ceremony. Waiting time can reach six weeks and may be even longer in large cities.
• Marriage registration. The ceremony takes place at the Standesamt or another authorized venue and lasts about 30 minutes.
  Receiving the marriage certificate. The document is issued immediately after the ceremony, and additional copies can be ordered for use abroad.

The entire process—from application to receiving the certificate—can take up to two months. For foreigners, the timeframe may increase significantly due to document preparation and legalization.

In Georgia, most foreigners do not need a visa to get married. The country remains open to citizens of many states, and entry is possible with a passport only. A residence permit is not required, and couples can marry while staying in the country as tourists. After registration, spouses can apply for a residence permit on family grounds if they plan to stay in Georgia.

In Germany, the situation is much more complicated due to strict laws. If both partners are already in the country legally (for example, on a work or student visa), they can apply at the Standesamt. If the main purpose of travel is marriage, a national visa category D must be obtained, allowing entry and registration. However, marriage itself does not grant the right to reside in Germany; a separate residence permit application on family grounds is required.

In Georgia, the procedure is conducted in the state language (Georgian), but this does not create obstacles for foreigners. Main documents are translated into Georgian, and notarization is inexpensive. An apostille is required if the Georgian marriage certificate will be used abroad. Obtaining it takes a few days, and overall costs remain minimal.

In Germany, everything is more expensive. Documents must be translated into German by a sworn translator, which significantly increases costs. Most documents (birth certificate, marital status certificate, medical certificate, etc.) must also have an apostille to be valid in the country. This requires additional expenses, and notary services in Germany are several times more expensive than in Georgia.

Marriage in Georgia remains the fastest and most convenient option, but for it to be legally valid in Germany and other EU countries, legalization is required. German authorities recognize foreign marriage certificates only if they are properly оформed and confirmed. The first step is placing an apostille on the Georgian marriage certificate, which confirms authenticity and makes it valid for use in EU countries, including Germany.

To make a Georgian marriage certificate legally valid in Germany, the following steps are required:

• Apostille in Georgia. Placed on the marriage certificate by the Ministry of Justice or another authorized body.
• Official translation into German. The apostilled document is translated by a sworn translator in Germany.
• Submission to German authorities. The certificate with apostille and translation is submitted to the Standesamt or immigration office.
• Official recognition of the marriage. After verification, German authorities recognize the Georgian certificate, making it legally valid for visas, residence permits, and other procedures.

In Georgia, witnesses are not required, and many couples register their marriage without them. The most important requirement is the passports of the bride and groom, which makes the procedure simple and accessible even for tourists.

In Germany, witnesses are also not mandatory. They may be invited if the couple wants to make the ceremony more ceremonial. The main focus is on documents: passports, birth certificates, certificate of marital status (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis), notarized translations, and apostilles—all documents must strictly comply with local legal requirements.

In Germany, a marriage concluded abroad is legally recognized only if it complies with the laws of the country where it was registered and does not contradict German legislation. This means that a Georgian marriage certificate, after apostille and translation, can be used in Germany to confirm marital status.

From a legal perspective, spouses with a Georgian certificate receive all rights and obligations предусмотренные German family law. They can live together, apply for a residence permit on family grounds, and receive protection in inheritance or property disputes.

Georgian marriage registration also provides access to the German tax class system (Steuerklassen). Spouses can choose the most suitable tax class, especially if their incomes differ slightly. After recognition of the Georgian marriage certificate in Germany, spouses are fully integrated into the German legal and tax systems.