Documents for Getting Married in Georgia — 2026 Checklist

One of the most common questions couples ask is: "What documents do we need to register a marriage in Georgia?" The great news is that Georgia's requirements are among the shortest in the world. This article is a comprehensive 2026 checklist covering three scenarios: first marriage, second marriage, and widowed partners.

Scenario 1: First Marriage — It Could Not Be Simpler

If both partners are marrying for the first time, the document requirements are minimal. You need only valid passports for both partners. No additional certificates, extracts, or confirmations.

• Valid passport for the groom
• Valid passport for the bride
• Both partners must be at least 18 years old

A domestic ID card will not suffice — you need your international passport (or a passport valid for international travel). We recommend checking the expiry date at least one month before your trip.

Scenario 2: Second Marriage — Divorce Certificate Required

If one or both partners were previously married, proof of the dissolution of the previous marriage is required.

• Valid passports for both partners
• Divorce certificate from the previous marriage (original)
• Certified translation of the divorce certificate into Georgian

The translation can be arranged in advance in your home country or in Tbilisi, where there are many certified translation bureaus. Cost of translating one document: 30-60 GEL ($10-$20). Standard turnaround is one business day, with rush service available within a few hours.

Scenario 3: Widowed — Death Certificate Required

• Valid passports for both partners
• Death certificate of the former spouse (original)
• Certified translation of the death certificate into Georgian

What You Do NOT Need — A Pleasant Surprise

Many couples are amazed at how few documents Georgia requires. Here is a list of items that are definitely NOT needed:

• Certificate of single status from a civil registry — not required!
• Medical certificate or blood test results — not required!
• Criminal background check — not required!
• Parental consent — not required (if both partners are 18+)
• Witnesses — not required!
• Visa — not required for citizens of the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Israel, and 90+ other countries

"We could not believe that only passports were needed for marriage registration. In our home country, we would have spent weeks gathering documents, but here we walked into the House of Justice and 20 minutes later we were married!"

The Apostille: So Your Marriage Is Recognized Worldwide

After registration, you receive your marriage certificate the same day. For it to have legal force in your home country, you need an apostille. Georgia is a member of the Hague Convention, and an apostilled certificate is recognized in 180+ countries. Cost: 50 GEL ($18), processing: 1-2 business days. Express: 100 GEL, ready in 1 hour.

Timeline: What to Prepare Before Your Trip

• 1-2 months before: check your passport expiry dates
• 2-3 weeks before: for a second marriage, arrange the translation of your divorce certificate into Georgian
• 1-2 weeks before: contact us at +995 551 196 255 to book your date
• 3-5 days before: arrive in Tbilisi and relax
• Registration day: arrive at the House of Justice with your passports — you will be married within 15-20 minutes

Summary: One-Page Checklist

• First marriage: passports — that is it!
• Second marriage: passports + divorce certificate with translation
• Widowed: passports + death certificate with translation
• Apostille: 50 GEL, 1-2 business days
• Express registration: +100 GEL, certificate within 1 hour
• Witnesses and civil registry certificates: not required

Have questions about documents? Contact WedInGeorgia at +995 551 196 255 — we offer free consultations and will help you prepare everything you need.

Apostille: Step-by-Step Instructions

An apostille is a special certification confirming the authenticity of a document for use abroad. Here is how to get an apostille on your marriage certificate:

• Step 1: Register your marriage at the House of Justice and receive the certificate.
• Step 2: In the same building, go to the apostille service window.
• Step 3: Complete the application form (a staff member will assist you).
• Step 4: Pay 50 GEL (standard, 1-2 days) or 100 GEL (express, 1 hour).
• Step 5: Receive the certificate with the apostille — a separate sheet attached to the original.
• Step 6: Verify the details are correct: names, dates, document number.

In our "Classic" package ($590) and above, the apostille is already included in the price. We submit the documents and collect the completed apostille — you never have to stand in line.

What to Do If Documents Are Lost During Your Trip

Lost Passport

File a report with the Georgian police for a certificate of loss (free of charge). Then contact your country's embassy or consulate in Tbilisi. They will issue an emergency travel document, but this document cannot be used for marriage registration. You will need to either wait for a replacement passport or return home.

Lost Divorce or Death Certificate

Request a duplicate through your home country's civil registry — a family member or friend can obtain it and send it by courier (DHL, FedEx — 3-5 days). The duplicate will need to be apostilled again and translated.

Lost Georgian Marriage Certificate

All records are stored in the House of Justice's electronic database. A duplicate costs 20 GEL and takes 1 business day. The apostille must be reissued.

Document Translation in Tbilisi

• Translation cost per document: 30-60 GEL ($10-$20)
• Notarization: 20-30 GEL ($7-$10)
• Standard turnaround: 1 business day
• Rush translation (2-4 hours): 50-100% surcharge
• Popular bureaus: Rustaveli Avenue, near Marjanishvili metro station
• Languages: Georgian, English, Russian, Hebrew, German, Ukrainian

We recommend getting the translation done in Tbilisi — translators here are experienced with the format of Georgian documents and do not make errors in transliteration.

Legalizing Your Georgian Marriage in Different Countries

United States

An apostilled Georgian marriage certificate is generally accepted directly by US authorities. You may need a certified English translation. Contact your county clerk's office to record the marriage. Processing is typically straightforward and fast.

Israel

Submit the apostilled certificate with a Hebrew translation to the Ministry of Interior (Misrad HaPnim). The marriage is recorded in the population registry within a few days to 2 weeks. Georgia is one of the most popular marriage destinations for Israeli couples.

United Kingdom

An apostilled Georgian marriage certificate is recognized in the UK. A certified English translation may be requested. Present the documents to your local register office to update records.

Germany

A sworn German translation is required. Submit the documents to the Standesamt (civil registry office). Processing takes 2-6 weeks, as German authorities thoroughly verify foreign documents.

Document Myths: Fact vs. Fiction

• Myth: "I need a certificate of single status" — No. Georgia does not require this document.
• Myth: "My country won't recognize the marriage" — False. An apostille is recognized in 180+ countries.
• Myth: "I need to arrive a week early" — No. With the express option, registration happens the same day.
• Myth: "Witnesses are required" — No. Not needed for civil registration.
• Myth: "A domestic ID card will work" — No. You need an international passport.
• Myth: "The apostille is obtained at the embassy" — No. It is issued at the House of Justice, in the same building.
• Myth: "Mixed-nationality couples face a harder process" — No. The requirements are identical for everyone.