Obtaining A Marriage Certificate: Navigating Bahrain's Legal System

Getting married in Bahrain is a straightforward process, with residents of any nationality or religion allowed to wed in the country. The first step is to contact your embassy, which will advise on the necessary documents and procedures. A medical checkup is required, along with copies of passports, identity cards, and documents relating to employment and residency. For the ceremony, the bride's father or an official power of attorney must be present to give permission for the bride to marry. Two male witnesses over the age of 21 are also required. After the ceremony, the marriage must be registered and the certificate authenticated by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Requirements for marriage in Bahrain

Marriage in Bahrain is considered a Sunnah and the beginning of a new family in accordance with the law. It is a mutual contract to bring loved ones together before committing it to a paper contract. It is a holy union that protects the rights of both parties and their children, as per the Kingdom's Family Law.

Any two individuals can complete the marriage procedures in the Kingdom of Bahrain, regardless of religion and nationality, provided the main requirements are met. Here is a detailed and direct list of the requirements for marriage in Bahrain:

Premarital Medical Examination:

A premarital medical examination is required from an accredited health centre in the Kingdom. This examination has positive effects on the health of child-bearing spouses and that of the family in general. The results of this examination, along with other documents, will be lodged with the Ministry of Justice.

Solicitor for Marriage Registration:

Choose a solicitor licensed for marriage registration, also known as a marriage officer, from the Sunni or Jaffari Endowments.

Letter of Approval:

If either party is an employee in the security field, a letter of approval from the employer is required.

Official Marriage Certificate:

The official marriage certificate must be issued and accredited by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments.

Documents Required:

The following documents are required from both parties for matrimony:

• Medical examination certificate from one of the accredited hospitals in Bahrain.
• Passports of both individuals.
• ID cards of both individuals.
• Dowry agreement.
• Proof of current or previous social status (marriage certificate or divorce papers).
• Letter of approval from the employer, if applicable for security personnel.

Non-Bahraini Couples:

Non-Bahraini individuals or couples, including one Non-Bahraini, are allowed to marry in the Kingdom, provided that one or both are residents. For these couples, the following requirements apply:

• Medical examination certificate from a hospital in Bahrain.
• Passports of both individuals.
• Approval from the embassy of the Non-Bahraini individual(s), with the Judge documenting the details of this approval in the marriage contract.

Second Marriage:

For citizens seeking a second marriage, an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments, along with the required documents, to a specialized Judge who will grant approval. The following documents are required for a second marriage:

• Letter of Good Conduct from the Criminal Investigations Directorate, along with a copy.
• Premarital health certificate from a health centre, with a copy.
• Salary certificate from the employer. Freelancers must provide a statement of monthly income issued by the documentation office and a copy.

Witnesses and Consent:

Two male witnesses over the age of 21 are required to be present at the marriage ceremony. Additionally, the bride's father should be in attendance to give his permission or provide an official power of attorney if he is unavailable or deceased.

Registration and Authentication:

After the marriage ceremony, the marriage must be registered at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to authenticate the marriage certificate. An additional fee is charged for translating the certificate into your native language.

The above requirements outline the necessary procedures and documents needed for different marriage scenarios in Bahrain. It is important to contact your respective embassy and the Bahrain Ministry of Justice for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information.

The role of embassies in the marriage process

The role played by embassies in the marriage process varies depending on the country of marriage and the nationalities of the individuals involved. In this case, we are considering the context of marriage in Bahrain, a country that allows anyone who resides in the country to get married, regardless of nationality or religion.

Providing Information and Guidance

Embassies serve as the first point of contact for individuals seeking to marry in Bahrain. They provide essential information and guidance on the necessary documents and procedures. This includes advising on the specific requirements, such as the need for a medical check-up, passports, identity cards, employment-related documents, and residency permits.

Determining Eligibility

Embassies play a crucial role in determining the eligibility of individuals to marry. They verify that both parties are legally free to marry by confirming that they are not already married or, if previously married, that divorces have been finalised. This ensures that there are no legal impediments to the marriage.

Issuing No Objection Certificates

Once the embassy is satisfied that there are no objections or impediments to the marriage, they will issue a No Objection Certificate. This certificate confirms that the embassy has no objection to the marriage taking place. There is typically a fee associated with obtaining this certificate.

Facilitating Documentation

In the case of individuals who are not Bahraini citizens, the marriage process requires approval from their respective embassy. The judge overseeing the marriage documents this approval in the marriage contract. Therefore, embassies play a role in facilitating the necessary documentation and providing approval for their citizens to marry in Bahrain.

Receiving the Marriage Certificate

After the marriage ceremony has taken place in Bahrain, the couple must register their marriage at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain an authenticated marriage certificate. As a final step, the translated marriage certificate should be presented to the respective embassies. This ensures that the embassies are informed of the marriage and can provide any necessary support or assistance related to citizenship or legal status.

In summary, embassies play a crucial role in the marriage process in Bahrain by providing information, determining eligibility, issuing necessary certificates, facilitating documentation, and receiving the final marriage certificate. It is important for individuals intending to marry in Bahrain to maintain close communication with their respective embassies throughout the process to ensure a smooth and legally recognised union.

Medical checkups and other documents

Before getting married in Bahrain, it is mandatory for both parties to undergo a premarital medical examination at an accredited health centre in the Kingdom. This is a prerequisite for marriage, as it has positive effects on the health of child-bearing spouses and their future family.

Once you have completed the medical checkup, you will receive a copy of the results, which must be lodged with the Ministry of Justice, along with the following documents:

• Passports of both individuals
• ID cards of both individuals
• Documents relating to employment and residency
• A letter of approval from the employer for employees in the security field
• Proof of current or previous social status by presenting a marriage certificate or divorce papers for both parties

If the bride's father cannot give his permission for her to marry in person, an official power of attorney, authenticated by the authorities of the country of her nationality, should be presented. This states that the father has no objection to the marriage. Other arrangements can be made if the father is unavailable or deceased.

If one or both parties are non-Bahraini, approval must be obtained from the embassy of the non-Bahraini individual(s). This approval must be documented by a judge in the marriage contract.

If either party is a US citizen, they will need to submit a No Objection Affidavit for Marriage letter to the Ministry of Justice. If the fiancée is not a US citizen, they should complete a similar document at their representative embassy.

Once the ceremony has taken place, the marriage must be registered at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is advisable to request an English translation of the marriage certificate, and have the original certificates authenticated by both ministries.

Permission from the bride's father or a power of attorney

Permission from the Bride's Father or Power of Attorney

The bride's father should be present at the wedding to give his permission for her to marry. If the father is unable to attend, an official power of attorney must be presented, authenticated by the authorities of the bride's country of nationality. This document should state that the father has no objection to the marriage.

If the bride's father is not available or has passed away, other arrangements can be made. For example, a power of attorney can be used to authorise another male, who must be over the age of 21, to give consent on behalf of the bride's father during the marriage registration. This is a common practice in the UAE, where a power of attorney form is recognised by the family court.

The power of attorney is a useful tool for brides whose fathers are outside the country and cannot be present during the marriage registration. It allows another person to act on the father's behalf, representing him and giving consent for the marriage.

It is important to note that the power of attorney form should be drafted and updated regularly by qualified lawyers to ensure its validity.

Registering and authenticating the marriage certificate

Registration at the Ministries:

After the marriage ceremony, the couple must register their marriage at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This step is necessary for both civil and religious marriages. The registration process involves submitting the relevant documents, including the marriage certificate, to the respective ministries.

No Objection Certificate:

Prior to the marriage, individuals are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate from their respective embassies or consulates. This certificate confirms that there are no legal objections to the marriage and that the individuals are eligible to marry. The process typically involves the embassy posting marriage banns or notices and ensuring that all necessary documents are in order.

Authentication by the Ministries:

Once the marriage has been registered, the couple can request the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to authenticate their marriage certificate. This step is particularly important for international marriages, as it confirms the legality and genuineness of the marriage in the eyes of other countries.

Translation:

If required, couples can also request an English translation of their marriage certificate from the Ministry of Justice. This service incurs an additional fee. It is important to note that the translated certificate should be presented to the respective embassies of the couple.

Attestation Stamp from Bahrain Embassy:

For individuals who require further validation, a marriage certificate attestation stamp from the Bahrain Embassy may be necessary. This process is often required when applying for a family residence visa or sponsorship for the spouse. The attestation validates the authenticity of the marriage certificate and is issued by the country where the marriage took place.

Additional Documentation:

Along with the marriage certificate, there are several other documents that are typically required during the registration and authentication process. These include passports, identity cards, medical examination certificates, and proof of current or previous social status (marriage or divorce certificates). For individuals in specific professions, such as the security field, a letter of approval from the employer is also necessary.

Frequently asked questions