Marriage Registration Abroad: A Comparison of Georgia and Turkey's Documentation, Timeframes, and Requirements

More and more couples from different countries around the world choose Georgia as the place to get married, as the document registration process here is максимально simplified. Legal formalities take very little time, and newlyweds do not have to spend weeks collecting paperwork. In addition, Georgia offers the picturesque and incredibly diverse nature of the Caucasus, a wide range of resorts, and modern recreational complexes for every taste, turning one of the most important days in life into a truly bright and unforgettable event.

Marriages concluded in Georgia and Turkey have legal force within these countries and are recognized as valid provided that all statutory procedures are followed. As a rule, if a marriage is registered in accordance with local laws, it is also considered valid in most other countries around the world.

However, this applies only if there are no contradictions with the legal norms of the receiving country. For example, this may concern the legal age of the spouses, monogamy requirements, or mutual consent in matters of religion. Some countries require an apostille or an officially translated marriage certificate with notarization.

To register a marriage in Georgia, foreign citizens only need to provide valid international passports for both partners. In some cases, a Georgian phone number may also be required for communication purposes, as well as the presence of two witnesses. However, witnesses do not have any legal influence on the procedure and do not sign any documents. All other formalities — such as translation of documents into Georgian, notarization, and apostille — are handled by representatives of the wedding agency.

Minimum requirements for foreigners:

• Main document: international passports of both the bride and groom
• Contact details: a Georgian phone number (often required for application submission and communication with registration authorities)
• Witnesses: mandatory presence of two witnesses at the ceremony
• Translation and notarization: passports must be translated into Georgian and notarized
• Apostille: often required for recognition of documents abroad

In Georgia, the marriage registration procedure for foreigners is extremely straightforward and takes very little time. It is usually sufficient to submit translated passports and attend the ceremony together with the witnesses. In most cases, registration can be completed within one or two days, and sometimes even on the same day the application is submitted.

Turkish authorities, on the other hand, require a much more extensive set of documents, including certificates of marital status, notarized translations, and medical examination results. This makes the process more time-consuming and bureaucratically complex. In Georgia, marriage registration is significantly faster than in Turkey, where document preparation, submission, and verification can take several weeks.

Georgia is a better choice in the following cases:

• When a fast marriage registration is required without long waiting periods or complex checks
• When it is important to minimize the number of documents (only passports and translations are needed, with no medical certificates or additional bureaucratic procedures)
• When the couple consists of foreign nationals and needs a neutral jurisdiction that is recognized internationally
• When an apostilled marriage certificate is required for worldwide recognition
• When the couple wants to complete everything within one or two days and rely on agencies that handle the entire process

Georgia also remains the best option for couples with a limited budget. In addition, couples can freely choose their wedding date instead of adjusting to one assigned by government authorities, and ceremonies are held even on weekends.

Marriage registration in Georgia is significantly cheaper than in Turkey. In Tbilisi or Batumi, it is enough to pay the state fee and the cost of notarized translations, which results in a relatively small total amount. For those looking to save money, expenses can be limited to approximately USD 450–500.

In Turkey, the process requires a larger number of documents, including medical certificates and notarizations, which automatically increases the overall cost. Expenses rise due to mandatory bureaucratic procedures and longer processing times. As a result, couples are forced to stay in the country longer and cover accommodation costs. Restaurants for wedding celebrations and other wedding services are also more expensive in Turkey.

Foreign nationals wishing to marry in Georgia or Turkey must meet minimum legal requirements. In both countries, the minimum legal age for marriage is eighteen. However, in certain cases — such as pregnancy — the age requirement may be lowered, but only by court order.

Georgia’s visa regime is extremely liberal. Citizens of many countries can enter Georgia without a visa and stay for an extended period. Turkish authorities, however, more often require a visa or legal grounds for long-term stay.

Personal presence of both spouses is mandatory in both countries. Marriage registration through representatives or remotely is not allowed, as civil registry offices require personal confirmation of consent. Thus, Georgia stands out for its flexible visa policy, while Turkey applies stricter requirements in this regard.

Getting married in Georgia is much easier thanks to minimal bureaucracy and fast document processing. The authorities have intentionally simplified the procedure to attract foreign visitors, which has had a positive impact on the industry in recent years. Registration costs are significantly lower than in Turkey, and foreign couples do not need to spend time collecting numerous certificates.

Many people believe that Turkey is more picturesque and diverse, with more developed infrastructure, but this is not entirely true. The authentic atmosphere of the Caucasus is unique in its own way, offering no fewer beautiful locations and comfortable venues for hosting an elegant and memorable wedding celebration.