A Guide To Getting Married In Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, a secular country with a predominantly Muslim population, recognises civil marriages as the only type of marriage that is legally binding. Religious marriages are also popular, but they are not considered legal without a civil ceremony. The civil marriage process in Azerbaijan is relatively straightforward but requires careful planning to ensure that all necessary documents are in order. Here is a guide to the requirements and procedures for getting married in Azerbaijan.

Getting a visa and certificate of no prior marriage

To get married in Azerbaijan, you will need to obtain a visa and a "Certificate of No Record of Marriage". Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

• Obtain a Valid Azerbaijani Visa: It is mandatory to have a valid Azerbaijani visa to register for marriage in the country. You can obtain the visa at the Azerbaijani Embassy in your home country or in Washington, D.C. Please note that the Azerbaijani "E-visa" is only valid for a 30-day stay, but the marriage process in Azerbaijan usually takes around two months. Therefore, it is recommended to obtain a longer-validity visa from the Embassy.
• Gather Civil Documents: Ensure that you have all the necessary civil documents, especially if either party was previously married. These documents include divorce certificates or death certificates, establishing the end of any previous marriages. These must be original documents, apostilled, or court-certified copies.
• Translate Documents into Azerbaijani: All pertinent civil documents must be translated into Azerbaijani. This includes divorce certificates, death certificates, and any other relevant documents.
• Apply for a "Certificate of No Record of Marriage": Foreign citizens wishing to marry in Azerbaijan are required to provide a "Certificate of No Record of Marriage" or a similar document with a different name, such as a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. This certificate should be issued by the Vital Records Department or a similar department in your country of residence. It states that no record of marriage exists for the individual in question. If you have been previously married, you must also provide proof of marriage dissolution or a death certificate if your previous spouse is deceased.
• Authenticate Documents: All documents mentioned above, including the "Certificate of No Record of Marriage", must be authenticated by the appropriate government authority in your country. This process is often called "Apostille".
• Submit Documents to ASAN or ZAGS: Once you have gathered, translated, and authenticated all the required documents, you will submit them to the appropriate authorities in Azerbaijan. The ASAN website provides information on the current requirements and can be contacted through their hotline. Alternatively, you can submit your documents to the Main Registrar Office (ZAGS), which is the only authority that registers marriages involving a foreign national. They will review your documents and provide you with a marriage registration date.

Please note that the information provided here is general in nature, and it is always recommended to consult official government sources and embassies for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Applying at the Main Registry Office (ZAGS)

To apply for marriage at the Main Registry Office (ZAGS) in Azerbaijan, you must submit your application to the State Registry Office in person. The Main Registry Office is located at 36A, Gara Garayev Avenue, Nizami District, Baku, and can be contacted by telephone at (012) 421 35 86. Applications must be submitted at least one month before the planned marriage registration date.

Both partners need to be present at the State Registry Office and provide the following documents:

• A valid entrance visa to Azerbaijan (for foreigners)
• A completed application form
• Documentation proving their civil status (divorce papers or death certificate) from their home country if either partner has been married previously
• A "Certificate of No Record of Marriage" issued by the Vital Records Department in their home state (for US citizens) or their country of residence (for other foreign citizens)
• Receipt confirming payment of the state duty fee (this can be paid at branches of Kapital Bank)

Note that all documents must be translated and notarised. It is advisable to contact ZAGS to find out the exact requirements for specific circumstances. Once the application has been submitted, ZAGS will provide the applicants with a marriage registration date. In special circumstances, such as the birth of a child or pregnancy, the marriage may be registered on the day of application. The marriage becomes legal on the date of civil registration.

Arranging a civil ceremony

Documents and Visas:

Firstly, ensure that you have all the necessary documents. Both foreign and Azerbaijani citizens are required to provide a valid passport or national identity card. Foreign citizens will also need a valid Azerbaijani visa, which can be obtained from the Azerbaijani Embassy in their home country. It is important to note that the marriage process in Azerbaijan can take up to two months, so a long-term visa is necessary.

Certificates:

Both parties must provide a few specific certificates. Firstly, a “Certificate of No Record of Marriage” issued by the Vital Records Department in the respective country of residence is required. This certificate confirms that the individual has no prior marriages. If either party was previously married, additional documentation is necessary, including divorce papers or a death certificate. These documents must be translated into Azerbaijani and authenticated with an Apostille.

Application Form and Consent:

Both spouses must complete an application form, stating their intention to marry each other. Along with this, written consent from both parties is mandatory. This document confirms that both individuals are entering the marriage willingly and without any form of coercion.

Proof of Address and Health Certificates:

Foreign spouses need to provide proof of residency, demonstrating that they have been living in Azerbaijan prior to the marriage. Additionally, health certificates are required from both parties. These certificates include medical test results indicating good physical and mental health.

Fees and Registration:

There is a state duty fee for marriage registration, which can be paid at branches of Kapital Bank. The exact amount can be found on the website of the Azerbaijani Embassy. Once all the documents are in order, they must be submitted in person to the Main Registry Office (ZAGS). Applications should be submitted at least one month before the desired marriage registration date. The ZAGS office will then provide a marriage registration date.

Ceremony and Interpreter:

The civil marriage ceremony can take up to a month to be concluded. It is important to note that most people in Azerbaijan do not speak English, so foreign spouses may need an interpreter during the ceremony and other related processes.

Marriage Contract:

The couple has the option to sign a marriage contract before or after the marriage. This contract is signed at a notary office and can be cancelled by mutual consent.

Please note that these are the general requirements and steps for arranging a civil ceremony in Azerbaijan. It is always advisable to contact the relevant authorities, such as the ZAGS office, for the most up-to-date and specific information.

Signing a marriage contract

To sign a marriage contract in Azerbaijan, the couple must first submit an application to the Main Registry Office (ZAGS) at least one month before the planned marriage registration date. Both partners must go to the State Registry Office in person with the required documents, which include:

• A valid entrance visa to Azerbaijan (for foreigners)
• A completed application form
• Documentation proving their civil status (divorce papers or death certificate) from their home country, if previously married
• A "Certificate of No Record of Marriage" issued by the Vital Records Department in their home state, for US citizens
• Receipt confirming payment of the state duty fee (paid at branches of Kapital Bank)

All documents must be translated and notarised. Once the application has been submitted, ZAGS will provide a marriage registration date. The marriage becomes legal on the date of civil registration.

It is possible for the couple to sign a marriage contract before or after the marriage has taken place. Marriage agreements are signed at the notary office and can be cancelled by mutual consent.

A religious registration of the marriage (Kəbin Kəsmək) is held several days before the wedding with the participation of witnesses from both sides. A guaranteed sum of money for the bride in case of divorce or death of the husband ("mehr") is written into the marriage contract ("kebin kagizi" or "kabin kagizi").

Planning the wedding celebrations

• Matchmaking (Elçilik): In Azerbaijani culture, the groom's family sends matchmakers, usually elder relatives or his elder sister, to the bride's house to obtain her family's preliminary consent for the marriage. This tradition is considered indispensable, even if the couple agrees to the match.
• Payment of Dowry (Başlığ): The groom's family traditionally pays a dowry, known as "Başlığ", to the bride's parents, specifically to her father or the person offering the bride for marriage. This payment can be made in cash, cattle, or other forms of material wealth before the wedding.
• Engagement (Nişan) or Betrothal (Adax): After the bride's father decides to give his consent, the groom entertains his new relatives in the bride's house with tea and sweets. This is considered the engagement process, during which the couple gets to know each other's families.
• Pre-Wedding Traditions: There are several traditions that take place before the wedding, such as "Qız Görmə", where the groom's nearest relatives gather information about the bride and her family, and "Qız Bəyənmə", where the groom's choice is approved.
• Henna Night (Xınayaxdı): On the evening of the first day of the wedding, the bride's nearest female friends and relatives gather at her house. Henna is applied to the bride's palms and feet, who wears an elegant dress for this ceremony. This rite is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the bride and her family.
• Wedding Day: The wedding day is filled with celebrations and rituals. The bride's family presents the dowry, which includes furniture, kitchen equipment, and other household items, to the groom's family. The religious registration of the marriage, known as "Kəbin", is held a few days before or on the wedding day, with the participation of witnesses from both families.
• Post-Wedding Traditions: After the wedding, a ceremony called "Uzə Çıxdı" is held a few days later, symbolizing the end of the "absence" period. During this time, the bride traditionally did not leave the house for a month and did not speak to her in-laws for a week. The newlyweds receive gifts or money from their relatives during this ceremony.
• Celebrations: Wedding celebrations in Azerbaijan can last for several days or even months. It is common for families to showcase their wealth and social status through extravagant weddings, with costs averaging around $15,000.
• Honeymoon: After the wedding celebrations have cooled down, the newlyweds typically go on their honeymoon to enjoy some time alone together and start their married life.

Remember, each region in Azerbaijan may have slight variations in their wedding traditions and rituals, so it is always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the local customs.

Frequently asked questions