Marrying In Bahrain: Requirements And Essential Information

Getting married in Bahrain is a straightforward process, with the country accommodating different types of ceremonies, from religious to civil partnerships. The requirements are the same for everyone, regardless of religion or nationality, as long as one of the individuals wishing to marry is a resident of Bahrain. The process is overseen by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf, and the first step is to contact your embassy, which will advise on the necessary documents and procedures. A medical checkup is required, and both parties will need to present their passports, identity cards, and documents relating to employment and residency.

Legal requirements

The legal requirements for marriage in Bahrain are set out by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf. The process is simple, but there are some formalities that must be observed.

Firstly, both parties should contact their respective embassies. The embassy will advise on the necessary documents and procedures, and will determine if both parties are eligible to be married. They will then post the marriage banns or notices, allowing any legal or canonical objections to be lodged. Once this process is complete, the embassy will issue a No Objection Certificate, for which there is a fee.

Both parties will be required to undertake a medical checkup, and provide copies of the results, along with copies of their passports and identity cards. Some other documents relating to employment and residency must also be lodged with the Ministry of Justice.

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 country of her nationality should be presented, stating that the father has no objection to the marriage. If the father is unavailable or deceased, other arrangements can be made.

The marriage itself can be performed by the Bahrain Ministry of Justice, or a religious ceremony can take place. The final arrangement is to have two male witnesses over the age of 21.

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. The certificate should be translated into your native language, for which the ministry will charge an additional fee. The translated certificate should then be presented to your respective embassies.

The total cost of a marriage will vary depending on embassy charges and venue.

Marriage for Muslims in Bahrain

As Bahrain is a predominantly Muslim nation, the Family Law guiding marriage in the country is primarily designed for Muslims. A premarital medical examination is a prerequisite for marriage, due to its positive effects on the health of child-bearing spouses and that of the family in general.

Marriage for Non-Muslims in Bahrain

Non-Muslims in Bahrain cannot have a civil marriage in the local Family Courts. However, they can opt for a marriage in a religious house or embassy. The civil laws for marriage in embassies differ according to the requirements of the home country. Non-Muslims who want the Ministry of Justice in Bahrain to recognize their marriage should obtain a No Objection Certificate from their employer and embassy.

Medical check-ups

A premarital medical examination is a prerequisite for marriage in Bahrain. This is to ensure the health of the couple, particularly if they are planning to have children. The examination must be conducted at an accredited health centre in the country, and a copy of the results must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

The premarital medical check-up will include screening for infectious diseases, such as HIV, Hepatitis B & C, syphilis, and German measles (Rubella). In addition, genetic diseases such as Beta-thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, and other haemoglobinopathies will be checked. Blood grouping will also be performed.

These tests are designed to safeguard the health of the couple and ensure that no potential infections will be transmitted between them. It is important to note that the results of these tests may impact the approval of the marriage application. For example, if one of the parties is found to have a genetically inherited blood disease or a transferable disease, the application may be denied.

Both parties must also provide a copy of their passports, identity cards, and some other documents related to employment and residency, which will be lodged with the Ministry of Justice. Non-Bahraini individuals or couples with at least one Non-Bahraini partner must also obtain approval from the embassy of the Non-Bahraini individual(s).

Once the medical check-ups are completed and the relevant documents are submitted, the marriage can be performed by the Bahrain Ministry of Justice or through a religious ceremony.

Consent and witnesses

For a marriage to be valid in Bahrain, consent and witnesses are required.

Consent

The consent of both parties is required for a marriage to be valid. If the bride is Muslim and her father is not, she needs a 'No Objection' letter from her embassy or consulate. If the bride's father is unavailable or deceased, other arrangements can be made. For example, the bride's father can give permission for her to marry by submitting a letter of approval or an official power of attorney authenticated by the authorities of her nationality country.

Witnesses

Two male witnesses over the age of 21 are required to be present at the marriage ceremony.

Documentation

The legal requirements for marriage in Bahrain are set out by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf. The process is simple, but there are some formalities to observe. The first point of contact should be your respective embassy, which will advise on the necessary documents and procedures. The embassy will make enquiries to determine if you are both eligible to marry, and will post banns or notices to allow any 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. A medical checkup is required, and a copy of the results, along with copies of passports and identity cards, must be lodged with the Ministry of Justice.

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

The marriage can be performed by the Bahrain Ministry of Justice, or as a religious ceremony. 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, which will authenticate the marriage certificate. This should be translated into your native language, for an additional fee. The translated certificate should then be presented to your respective embassies.

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

For US citizens, a No Objection Affidavit for Marriage letter must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice. If the fiancée is not an American citizen, they should complete a similar document at their representative embassy. Passports, no-objection letters from the couple's sponsors, and evidence of the legal dissolution of any prior marriages are also required.

For Muslims, the Family Law guiding marriage in Bahrain is primarily designed for Muslims. For non-Muslims, civil marriage is not possible in the local family courts, but marriages can take place in religious houses or embassies. The civil laws for marriage in embassies differ according to the requirements of the home country.

Registration

The registration of a marriage in Bahrain involves several steps and requirements that must be completed and fulfilled by the couple. Here is a detailed guide on the registration process:

• Contact Relevant Embassies: Both parties, regardless of their nationality, should first contact their respective embassies. The embassies will advise on the necessary documents and procedures, and they will also determine if both parties are eligible to marry by verifying that neither party is already married, or that any previous marriages have been legally finalised. The embassies will then post marriage banns or notices to allow for any objections to the marriage to be raised. Once these processes are completed, the embassy will issue a "No Objection Certificate" for which a fee is typically charged.
• Medical Check-up: Both parties are required to undergo a medical check-up at an accredited health centre in Bahrain. This check-up is mandatory and aims to ensure the health of the couple, especially for child-bearing spouses. The results of this medical examination will be included in the documents submitted for marriage registration.
• Gather Required Documents: In addition to the medical check-up results, several other documents must be prepared. These include copies of passports and identity cards for both individuals. For non-Bahraini individuals or couples with one non-Bahraini partner, approval from the embassy of the non-Bahraini individual(s) is required, and this approval must be documented by the judge in the marriage contract. Other documents may include proof of current or previous social status (marriage or divorce certificates), a letter of approval from the employer for employees in the security field, and proof of consent from the bride's father or an official power of attorney if he is unavailable or deceased.
• Submit Documents to the Ministry of Justice: All the required documents, including the medical check-up results and copies of passports and IDs, should be lodged with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments. This ministry is responsible for processing and approving marriage registrations.
• Marriage Ceremony: Once all the documents are submitted and approved, the marriage ceremony can take place. The Bahrain Ministry of Justice publishes a list of officials who can perform the marriage service, or the couple can opt for a religious ceremony. The presence of the bride's father or her legal guardian is typically required, along with two male witnesses over the age of 21.
• Register the Marriage: After the marriage ceremony, the couple must register their marriage at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the marriage certificate authenticated. It is recommended to request an English translation of the marriage certificate, especially for non-Arabic speakers. The translated certificate should then be presented to the respective embassies of the couple.
• Additional Steps for Non-Muslims: Non-Muslim couples who wish to have their marriage recognised by the Ministry of Justice in Bahrain should obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer and embassies. Additionally, they may choose to have their marriage performed at religious houses or embassies, following the civil laws of their home country.

Frequently asked questions