A Wedding In Bahrain: Can Foreigners Marry Legally?

Foreign nationals can get married in Bahrain, provided that at least one person is a resident in the country. The process is simple, but there are some formalities to be observed. Both parties should contact their respective embassies, which will advise on the necessary documents and procedures. A medical checkup is also required, along with copies of passports, identity cards, and other documents relating to employment and residency. The marriage can be performed by the Bahrain Ministry of Justice or through a religious ceremony.

Civil and religious marriage options for foreigners

Bahrain permits anyone who resides in the country to marry, regardless of nationality or religion. The process is simple, but there are some formalities to observe.

Civil Marriage

Civil marriages in Bahrain are performed by authorised officiants and registrars at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The marriage contract is considered the beginning of a new family, and there are certain conditions that must be met by spouses who want to marry in the country.

Conditions for Civil Marriage

• A premarital medical examination must be conducted by both spouses to show that they are compatible with each other in terms of their mental and physical health status.
• A letter of approval from their place of work.
• An officiant or registrar from the Sunni or Jaffari endowments must be used during the marriage registration process to obtain a marriage license.
• Both spouses are required to submit some paperwork during the marriage registration.

Paperwork for Civil Marriage

• A valid means of identification such as a national ID or valid passport.
• Copies of birth certificates that have been certified by the government or other relevant authorities.
• Parental consent – written approval must be provided for spouses under the age of 18.
• Passport photographs.
• Letter of approval from the employer or sponsor.
• Certificate of freedom to marry or "certificate of single status".

Religious Marriage

Religious marriages are the most common type of marriage in Bahrain. These are recognised and protected under the laws of the country. Over 70% of the population is Muslim, and the rest is made up of various religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Muslim Marriage

All marriages performed in a Sharia court are considered valid in the country. The traditional Muslim marriage involves a Nikah ceremony where different ceremonial rites are performed to join the couple together as husband and wife. The marriage certificate is signed by the spouses in the presence of the marriage officiant (Imam) and two witnesses. The marriage contract includes all the terms of marriage, as well as the respective roles and responsibilities of the couple.

Christian Marriage

To marry in a church, at least one of the partners must have been baptised. If one of the spouses is a Muslim, the marriage must not be conducted in the church. Both spouses must be able to demonstrate that they are eligible to marry and are not barred from doing so for any reason, such as health or civil status issues. Both partners are required to provide certified copies of their identification and residency, as well as present at least two witnesses.

Foreigners' marriage requirements

Bahrain allows anyone who resides in the country to get married, regardless of their nationality or religion. The process is simple, but several formalities must be observed before the wedding can take place.

Step 1: Contact your Embassy

Your first point of contact should be your respective embassy. They will advise on the necessary documents and procedures. The embassy will make enquiries to determine if you are both eligible to be married, i.e., not already married, or that any previous divorce is finalised. They will then post the marriage banns or notices, allowing any legal or canonical objections to be lodged. Once this process is complete, a No Objection Certificate will be issued for a fee. Both parties should contact their embassy, even if they share the same nationality.

Step 2: Medical Checkup

You will need to undertake a medical checkup at an accredited health centre in the Kingdom. A copy of the result, along with copies of your passports and identity cards, will be lodged with the Ministry of Justice.

Step 3: Permission from Bride's Father or Power of Attorney

The bride's father should be in attendance to give his permission for her to marry, or an official power of attorney authenticated by the authorities of the bride's nationality country should be presented, stating that the father has no objection to the marriage. Other arrangements can be made if the father is unavailable or deceased.

Step 4: Choose a Solicitor

Choose a solicitor licensed for marriage registration, i.e. a marriage officer from the Sunni or Jaffari Endowments.

Step 5: Two Male Witnesses

The final arrangement before the ceremony is to have two male witnesses over the age of 21.

Step 6: The Ceremony

The marriage can be performed by the Bahrain Ministry of Justice, or a religious ceremony can take place. The Ministry publishes a list of officials who can deliver this service.

Step 7: Register the Marriage

Once the ceremony has taken place, the marriage must be registered at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the marriage certificate authenticated. Have your certificate translated into your native language for an additional fee. Present your translated certificate to your respective embassies.

Additional Requirements for Non-Bahraini Couples

If one or both individuals are non-Bahraini, approval must be obtained from the embassy of the non-Bahraini individual(s), and the Judge must document the details of this approval in the marriage contract.

Additional Requirements for Employees in the Security Field

A letter of approval from the employer is required for employees in the security field.

Foreigners' marriage documents

Documents Required for Foreigners to Get Married in Bahrain

Bahrain allows anyone who resides in the country to get married, regardless of nationality or religion. The process is simple, but there are a few formalities that must be observed before the wedding can take place. The legal requirements for marriage in Bahrain are set by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf, and there are procedures that must be completed ahead of time.

Contact Your Embassy

Your first point of contact should be your respective embassy. They will advise on the necessary documents and procedures. The embassy will make enquiries to determine if you are both eligible to be married; that is, not already married, or that any divorce is finalised if previously married. They will then post the marriage banns or notices, allowing any legal or canonical objections to the marriage to be lodged. Once this process is complete, a No Objection Certificate will be issued for a fee. Both parties should contact their embassy, even if they share the same nationality.

Required Documents

You will need to undertake a medical checkup and provide a copy of the results to the Ministry of Justice, along with copies of the following documents:

• Passports
• Identity cards
• Documents relating to employment and residency

Additional Requirements

The bride's father should be in attendance to give his permission for her to marry, or an official power of attorney authenticated by the authorities of the bride's nationality country should be presented, stating that the father has no objection to the marriage. Other arrangements can be made if the father is unavailable or deceased.

The marriage can be performed by the Bahrain Ministry of Justice or a religious ceremony can take place. Two male witnesses over the age of 21 are required.

Once the ceremony has taken place, the marriage must be registered at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the marriage certificate authenticated. Request an English translation of your marriage certificate, if required. Present your translated certificate to your respective embassies.

Foreigners' marriage venues

Bahrain allows anyone who resides in the country to get married, regardless of nationality or religion. The process is simple, but there are a few formalities to be observed before the wedding. Whether you want a simple wedding or an extravagant affair, a religious ceremony or civil partnership, Bahrain can accommodate your needs.

Places of Worship

There are several places of worship where marriages can be performed, including Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish places of worship. However, it is worth noting that the Jewish community in Bahrain no longer maintains an active synagogue.

Hotels

Most major hotels in Bahrain cater to weddings, regardless of the size of your party. Some hotels offer function rooms, while others provide more unique options like private marquees on your own island or a barbecue on the beach.

Outdoor Venues

For a truly unique experience, you could consider getting married at Bahrain's F1 circuit.

Wedding Planners

To reduce stress and ensure that all your wedding arrangements come together smoothly, you may want to consider hiring a wedding planner. There are both hotel-based and independent wedding planners available in Bahrain.

Important Considerations

It is important to note that the legal requirements for marriage in Bahrain are set by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Awqaf. Both parties should contact their respective embassies, which will advise on the necessary documents and procedures. Additionally, a medical checkup and other documents related to employment and residency must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice before the marriage can take place.

Foreigners' marriage costs

Foreigners can get married in Bahrain, but there are some formalities to observe. The process is relatively simple, and Bahrain can accommodate various types of weddings, from civil partnerships to religious ceremonies.

Foreigners Marriage Costs:

The cost of a marriage for foreigners in Bahrain will vary depending on embassy charges and the chosen venue. Here is a breakdown of the potential costs involved:

Embassy Charges:

• No Objection Certificate: A fee is charged by the embassy for issuing the No Objection Certificate, which confirms that there are no legal objections to the marriage.
• Approval from Non-Bahraini Embassy: If one or both individuals are non-Bahraini, approval must be obtained from their respective embassy, and this approval must be documented in the marriage contract by a judge. This process may incur additional fees.

Medical Checkup:

Premarital Medical Examination: Couples are required to undergo a premarital medical examination at an accredited health centre or hospital in Bahrain. This typically involves a fee.

Marriage Certificate and Authentication:

• Official Marriage Certificate: There is a cost associated with obtaining the official marriage certificate from the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments (also known as Awqaf).
• Translation Fee: If the marriage certificate needs to be translated into a native language, the Ministry will charge an additional fee for this service.

Wedding Venue and Reception:

• Venue Costs: The choice of venue will impact the overall cost. Major hotels, private islands, beaches, and unique locations like the F1 circuit are all options for wedding venues in Bahrain, each with varying price points.
• Wedding Planner: Opting for a wedding planner, either hotel-based or independent, can add to the overall cost but may be beneficial for stress-free planning, especially for destination weddings.

It is important to note that the costs outlined above may not be all-inclusive, and there could be additional expenses depending on specific requirements and choices made throughout the wedding planning process.

Frequently asked questions